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Based on the spate of mass shootings in the past year — including several on college campuses and one at Omaha’s Westroads Mall on Dec. 5 — this, unfortunately, is not an unreasonable question.
To help employees and students respond to such a situation, the UNMC Security Web site now features a video that helps people survive a workplace violence incidence.
“We, here in Omaha, are all too aware of how real this threat is,” said Gary Svanda, director of campus security at UNMC. “I encourage all UNMC employees and students to watch this video. It offers practical advice on how to stay safe should this happen here.”
While the odds of such an event occurring are low, Svanda said, the last year has proven that they happen and almost always take those involved by surprise.
The point of the video is to show people how to respond to such situations as they happen. The video features realistic portrayals of decisive, proactive responses that can help people survive such situations.
The video covers topics such as:
- Recognizing pre-incident indicators or “red flags” in the workplace;
- The survival mindset, a belief that you can take control and survive;
- Courses of action during an active shooter incident; and
- Actions to take when law enforcement or SWAT teams respond.
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“A potential victim’s understanding of an active shooter or hostage event and a survival mindset are critical factors in determining whether they, and those around them, become victims or survivors of workplace aggressors,” Spivey said.
Like all contingency plans, Svanda said UNMC officials hope employees and students never have to use the information found in the video.
“Should such an event occur here, the tips offered in this video can save lives,” he said.