Basic considerations for developing campus emergency response plans for active shooter incidents

Emergency Response

There is an increase in reports of active shooter incidences in many colleges. This calls for the management of colleges to come up with strict measures that will enable them to respond effectively in case of the occurrence of such incidences. An emergency response plan establishes the policies, procedures and organizational structure for response incase an emergency that can cause a disruption of the college activities occurs (Nicoletti, Spencer-Thomas, Bollinger, 2010. ) The paper will give a description of the basic considerations which should always be included when developing response elements for a campus emergency response plan in a college with 3000 students that is located in a suburban setting incase of an active shooter incident.

Situational Assessments

It is important to ensure that there are guidelines on how the situation can be assessed. This will include what to look out for in order to establish whether the situation is risky for the students or not. This will include trying to find out the exact location of the active shooter. Secondly the establishment of whether where the shooter at their location has the potential of harming anyone within the college. Another thing is to assessing the possible ways that the students can behave in an instance where the active shooter is so close to them.

Incident response organization/structure

There should be a stipulated incidence response organization or structure established which will ensure that the college students will get out of the situation unharmed. This plan includes evacuation only if there are accessible paths that can be used for escaping. If evacuation is not possible then ensure that you hide out in a place that the active shooter is not likely to find you or away from their view. Also ensure that the active shooter can not enter the hiding place. If the active shooter is nearby ensure that there is no noise from the holding area and remain quiet.in such an institution where there are so many students there should be a hall that is build for such an emergency that the students should go hide in.it should be at a central place within the school hence accessible (Nicoletti, Spencer-Thomas, Bollinger, 2010).

Life Safety Protocol

When students are within the institution, the institution is mandated to ensure that they are safe. There should also be some life safety protocol in place to ensure that everyone remains safe and is not harmed. This include having standby police officers who can help in such a situation .the students should also be empowered through counseling on exactly what they are supposed to do in case such incidences occur.

Personnel and Asset Protection

The institution should also ensure that no one is harmed or nothing is destroyed in case of an incidence of an active shooter. This will include ensuring that the campus is strictly under surveillance to ensure that anyone who attempts to carry out such a thing is detected early before they become a threat. There should also be clear guidelines given to students incase such incidences occur on how they will carry themselves and ensure tat no property is destroyed.

Incident Resources

There are various resources that will be required to curb such a situation. This includes telephones, halls and policemen. The institutions should ensure that the students can access a telephone where they can call for help if such an incidence occurs. A common secure hall should be build where the students can seek refuge. Finally policemen should be at their disposal so that they can counter the active shooter.