Armed Attack Training

Preparing for an Armed Attack:

This lesson is designed for interdisciplinary teams that manage violence risk.  It covers how to prepare your organization for an armed attack and shows the audience whichever version of TAG’s Responding to an Armed Attack training the organization has decided to roll out to employees.  The lesson takes 45-60 minutes during in-person or Webinar training of interdisciplinary teams and other specialists responsible for managing violence risk.

For organizations that have already adopted TAG’s Emergency Action Plan for an Armed Attack in the Workplace, there is no need for this lesson.

A 21-minute video of the major content of this lesson is included in TAG360 as annual refresher material or for new team members who missed the more complete in-person or webinar training.

Responding to an Armed Attack:

This lesson provides specific guidance on available options for an armed attack in an open area, outside your building, inside your building, and in the same room.  It teaches general guidelines for all incidents and what to expect from law enforcement. 

TAG recommends that clients make TAG’s 10-minute e-learning lesson available on an optional basis to all managers, supervisors, and employees. 

The same lesson can also be taught through 20-30 minute facilitated lessons held in break room or seminar sessions during which your facilitator uses TAG’s talking points and shows TAG’s video.  Alternatively, the lesson can be delivered in 30-minute webinars taught by TAG Experts, though the degree of interaction possible depends on the size of the audience.

TAG’s Emergency Action Plan is a 7-page template to be completed by the client—with or without TAG’s guidance and assistance—for each facility.  The plan identifies the information that must be assembled in advance by each facility to prepare for an armed attack and delineates 55 steps to be taken and the sequence in which they should be taken.  These action items cover the immediate period, from the first report until the threat of violence has ended, the first 24 hours, the first 7 days, at 14 days, and at 3 months and beyond.

The recommended use of this plan begins with an introductory meeting (in-person or on-line) to introduce the template and to customize it so it applies accurately to the specific enterprise.  After this introduction, TAG remains available on a consulting basis to answers questions that arise or to work with facilities to ensure their concerns are addressed and their needs met by their facility-specific plan.

TAG’s Tabletop Exercises simulate many of the events and challenges that immediately follow an armed attack or other critical event at a corporate location.  One exercise is designed for a local site, the other for an enterprise-level Crisis Management Team.  The scenario is essentially the same for both exercises (a disgruntled former employee returns to the workplace and engages in an armed attack), and each version tests the company’s crisis management protocols and capabilities and allows leaders to practice decision-making in a simulated crisis situation. The issues raised during the two exercises and the roles of the participants, however, are different, and this affords each group an appreciation for where the lines of responsibility should be drawn between enterprise and local teams.

Local Site Tabletop Exercise:  The first exercise requires approximately three hours (including de-brief) and is designed to evaluate the readiness and response of local site personnel.  It presents site leaders with a number of immediate issues they may face in the hours and days following a critical event, including questions regarding immediate notification requirements; providing for the well-being of employees and their families; the manner in which media requests are handled; plans to mitigate short-term business interruptions; cooperation with law enforcement; and many others.

Enterprise-Level Exercise:  The second exercise requires approximately two hours and is written for an enterprise-level Crisis Management Team (or Executive Team in need of a Crisis Management Team).  It challenges team members to address and resolve a number of strategic questions in the immediate aftermath of a significant event, including what should be done to minimize impact on company operations; what should be communicated to employees, customers, and stakeholders; how the company can best assist employees and their families affected by the event; what the team can do to minimize impact to the company’s reputation and brand; and how to address issues related to safety awareness concerns for all employees.