SFS trains MDG on responding to active shooters

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman David Owsianka
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  The 56th Security Forces Squadron held active-shooter awareness training for 56th Medical Group Airmen Dec. 9 in the 56th MDG assembly room as it has been doing across base for the past two weeks.

"We understand the importance of every Airman being prepared for a high-risk or crisis situation," said Tech. Sgt. Ricky Glass, 56th SFS training section NCO in charge. "SFS personnel drill and exercise these types of events on a regular basis, and we would like to share our knowledge, lessons learned and expertise with other base agencies."

The training is intended for base agencies to receive important life-saving information and the necessary skills in order to make the right decision when confronted with a crisis situation.

"To achieve this, every individual must be able to raise and lower their personal alertness in any given situation," Glass said. "Everyone must understand every situation is different. They must plan, identify and choose the correct course of action when confronted with a hostile threat.

"Members must either escape, barricade or fight back," he said. "They must also be aware of the possibilities and limitations of their own skills in a crisis situation."

The purpose of the training is to prepare every Airman, even during the worst circumstances, to make the right decision and survive. It was accomplished by educating, planning and carrying out individual exercises.

The SFS educated MDG personnel on the behavioral indicators.

"It is highly encouraged that all individuals are briefed on active-shooter indicators, history, relevant case studies, and actions that the installation population needs to take in order to protect themselves, and assist responding security forces," Glass said.

The planning consisted of informing Airmen about response drills and exercises, and conducting training with as much realism as possible.

"Creating a realistic training and exercise environment allows individuals to simulate the high-stress environment of an active-shooter scenario," Glass said. "Personnel who are better informed and drilled with real world scenarios are more capable of making lifesaving decisions."

Individual exercises were conducted to help individuals understand how to maximize their survival chances in an active-shooter or crisis situation.

"Individual response exercises must be controlled and monitored for safety," Glass said. "It is every individual's responsibility to make a decision. People cannot rely on others to make decisions for them."

Members of the 56th MDG left the active-shooter awareness training better prepared for a real-world incident.