The Decatur County Chamber of Commerce hosted an active shooter in the workplace seminar Wednesday, where everyone was taught the key to surviving: Run. Hide. Fight.

BPS Captain, Ryan Wimberly began the seminar by discussing some of the most prominent active shooting events over the years such as, the Columbine shooting, the Sandy Hook School shooting and the Aurora, Colorado theater shooting. He explained how some of these events changed the way they handle active shootings. Approximately 200 active shootings have taken place between 2000-2017.

While there is no one profile for an active shooter, the number one indicator is that they are facing some sort of personal grievance, Wimberly said. They didn’t get the promotion they were entitled to, they didn’t get the raise or they felt under appreciated. The Columbine shooting was proof of that, when the two young men felt they were at the bottom of the social status and would change the way things were. They feel life isn’t worth it anymore.

While individuals who have noticed the behavioral pattern of an active shooter can report it, that does not mean police can arrest the person. They can put him on a watch list, but multiple agencies have come up with a mechanism in case of the event. Run. Hide. Fight.

The first step is to run. If there is an escape path, attempt to evacuate. Evacuate whether others agree to or not and leave belongings behind. If possible, help others escape and prevent others from entering the area. Once clear of the area, call 911.

The second step is to hide, if evacuation is not possible. People should lock and/or blockade the door, silence their cell phone, hide behind large objects and remain quiet. The hiding place should be out of the shooter’s view, provide protection if shots are fired in their direction and not trap or restrict options for movement.

As a last resort, people can attempt to incapacitate the shooter. They need to act with physical aggression, improvise weapons and commit to their actions.

One of the key points to realize is when law enforcement arrives their main goal is to take out the shooter. Help is on the way, but they cannot stop and assess the wounds of others while looking for the shooter.

Wimberly wants everyone to remember these key points and focus on pre-planning. When the time arrives, if no one has a plan it only creates for more chaos. Wimberly, along with other members of BPS can come assess businesses and help develop a plan in the case of an active shooter; he can also help implement drills to identify what issues may arise. For more information on how to develop an active shooter plan, people can contact BPS.