“It’s never happening here.”
I wish I had a dollar for every time a school administrator told me that.
As the CEO of Share911.com, emergency preparedness and management software for schools, I meet with school leaders nationwide virtually every day. And while Share911 is used for all kinds of emergencies, it was purpose built to increase the efficiency of communication during active shooter events during which seconds count.
Typically, my presentation starts with an overview of why we built Share911, I talk about the inefficiency of emergency communication, I discuss the Sandy Hook Elementary School timeline and more. I demonstrate the software and the incredible speed at which any employee can instantly alert all their co-workers, administrators and first responders in just seconds, versus minutes.
“That’s great, but it’s never happening here.”
Why would you believe that an active shooter incident will never happen in your school? Virtually everywhere these tragedies occur, in the aftermath, people say “I never thought it could happen here.”
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There is no “magic” demographic that prevents these incidents from happening. History reveals that the actors can be students, they can be employees and, of course, they can outsiders. These incidents have happened in large cities and small towns. The most recent incident in Redford, WA happened in a town with a population of just 500.
These incidents don’t just happen in schools. They happen in shopping centers, hospitals and businesses of all sizes. It can…and does…happen anywhere.
I don’t believe we can prevent these incidents from happening, but we can help your employees and first responders be better prepared for them.
