Hungry for Information: What to Do in Case of a Workplace Shooting
Rarely does a day go by that I am not hunting for some new, often extraneous information, based on whatever I might hear on the radio, in the news, via conversation with coworkers, etc. Google is clearly worn out on all of my systems both at home and my workplace, but strangely, with the news turning more violent, I have to wonder: am I the only one not finding even a thin line of detail in regard to what to do if I find myself in a workplace shooting situation?
You've probably never really taken a moment to think about it, but with the escalating events being detailed at length via news coverage, on every online news channel, and dialoged to death on television stations I find it almost incredulous as to why there is very little in the way of information available - no guidelines, no common sense tricks/tips that might help save your life - nothing really. I think this might be an ongoing discussion with myself, as I think of tips and information that might just help me, your coworkers and even you live through a situation that few think of but clearly even fewer think about with any regularity.
Help me dialog what I'm thinking in the comment section below and help me forge an information center that can eventually help build the best defense information clearing house for workplace shootings.
- The Sound of a Gunshot: How many people really know what a gunshot sounds like? While the question may be strange, I really do wonder if people think that gunshots sound like they do in hollywood. In truth, gunshots often, especially at a distance, sound like loud firecrackers. Depending on your workplace (it's size, ceiling height, how secluded offices are, etc) you may hear nothing, you may hear that collectively strange popping of firecrackers when rounds are pulled off, but ask yourself: would you know gunfire if you heard it?
- Are You a Target? Something I think that is sadly missing in today's business is a sense of self-awareness in a company. There are so many people that I deal with on a daily basis, both via/in my workplace and in businesses that I have dealings with that are so care-free in regard to what other people think of them - it truly sometimes boggles the mind. People try to corral the reasoning of people that partake in events like this and to think that if someone had a grudge, a complaint, a personal problem (you insert the issue that "drives" people to workplace shootings) that your actions, words, and "perceived authority" would some how save you - wow - would you be on a list of people to "take care of" today? For those that wish to tout authoritative labels, or "not care what other people think about be because _______" in general, a harsh day may just be on the platter for you, isn't it? This, including many other common-sensical things regarding coworker treatment is something I think is almost completely lost today in the business realm, and it's one of the staples that I build this listing with.
Awareness of Exits in the Building: While everyone will think of being a hero at times when hearing about things like this, I think the vast majority of people would/should bail from an environment involving a workplace shooting. Do you know where the most direct "Why the hell am I not outta' here" exit is in relation to your workstation? Do you think about that same question as your working your "route" doing tasks during the day? If you aren't you should. Knowing how to quickly evacuate out of the building from where you are currently could mean the difference between you getting out alive, and not getting out at all.
Do You Sit in Proximity of a "Target": I think that this is the one that probably bothers the most people, yet it's something I think very few people consider. In tandem with you, yourself being a perceived target, are you in proximity or "on the way/in the bee-line" to someone that is of the nature we refer to above as "a target?" The first thing I think of when I get to this line of thinking is the previous point about nearest and most convienent exit.
Chime in below, and be sure to tune in as I visit this posting often to round out my compilation of thoughts, ideas and tips to help you prepare for, initiate action during and live through a workplace shooting.
You've probably never really taken a moment to think about it, but with the escalating events being detailed at length via news coverage, on every online news channel, and dialoged to death on television stations I find it almost incredulous as to why there is very little in the way of information available - no guidelines, no common sense tricks/tips that might help save your life - nothing really. I think this might be an ongoing discussion with myself, as I think of tips and information that might just help me, your coworkers and even you live through a situation that few think of but clearly even fewer think about with any regularity.
Help me dialog what I'm thinking in the comment section below and help me forge an information center that can eventually help build the best defense information clearing house for workplace shootings.
- The Sound of a Gunshot: How many people really know what a gunshot sounds like? While the question may be strange, I really do wonder if people think that gunshots sound like they do in hollywood. In truth, gunshots often, especially at a distance, sound like loud firecrackers. Depending on your workplace (it's size, ceiling height, how secluded offices are, etc) you may hear nothing, you may hear that collectively strange popping of firecrackers when rounds are pulled off, but ask yourself: would you know gunfire if you heard it?
- Are You a Target? Something I think that is sadly missing in today's business is a sense of self-awareness in a company. There are so many people that I deal with on a daily basis, both via/in my workplace and in businesses that I have dealings with that are so care-free in regard to what other people think of them - it truly sometimes boggles the mind. People try to corral the reasoning of people that partake in events like this and to think that if someone had a grudge, a complaint, a personal problem (you insert the issue that "drives" people to workplace shootings) that your actions, words, and "perceived authority" would some how save you - wow - would you be on a list of people to "take care of" today? For those that wish to tout authoritative labels, or "not care what other people think about be because _______" in general, a harsh day may just be on the platter for you, isn't it? This, including many other common-sensical things regarding coworker treatment is something I think is almost completely lost today in the business realm, and it's one of the staples that I build this listing with.
Awareness of Exits in the Building: While everyone will think of being a hero at times when hearing about things like this, I think the vast majority of people would/should bail from an environment involving a workplace shooting. Do you know where the most direct "Why the hell am I not outta' here" exit is in relation to your workstation? Do you think about that same question as your working your "route" doing tasks during the day? If you aren't you should. Knowing how to quickly evacuate out of the building from where you are currently could mean the difference between you getting out alive, and not getting out at all.
Do You Sit in Proximity of a "Target": I think that this is the one that probably bothers the most people, yet it's something I think very few people consider. In tandem with you, yourself being a perceived target, are you in proximity or "on the way/in the bee-line" to someone that is of the nature we refer to above as "a target?" The first thing I think of when I get to this line of thinking is the previous point about nearest and most convienent exit.
Chime in below, and be sure to tune in as I visit this posting often to round out my compilation of thoughts, ideas and tips to help you prepare for, initiate action during and live through a workplace shooting.
posted by Mike Wilkerson - 2GuysTalking at 1:10 AM
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