Ongoing IUPUI preparedness initiatives for Active Shooter Situations

As we prepare for any hazard that might befall the University, we consider both the consequences of each hazard (how dangerous it is) and how likely the hazard is to appear. Across the continuum of hazards, active shooters and fires are both considered in the range of "Most Dangerous"; however, fires are also considered "Most Likely," whereas active shooters are not as likely. In any case, we prepare for both hazards. Fire drills (building evacuations) are conducted each semester for each building because we are required by law to do so. There are no such requirements for active shooter scenarios; however we continue to plan, train, and exercise for such situations.

As with any hazard, the response must be coordinated between all responding parties. Not only do the Police have to be trained appropriately, but so do the other first responders (health, fire, mental health, emergency management, etc.), communicators, faculty, staff, students, and many other components. The parties and their tools must be coordinated, trained, and exercised to ensure a holistic response capability. In addition, the University-based response resources (personnel and equipment) must also be coordinated with surrounding jurisdictions, including County, State, and with other Universities.

The overall continuum for emergencies consists of four phases: 1) Prevention/Mitigation; 2) Preparedness (includes planning, training, and exercises); 3) Response; and 4) Recovery. For the Prevention/Mitigation phase, IUPUI has instituted the Behavioral Consultation Team, which is comprised of representatives from faculty and staff from various departments across the University. The BCT is designed to identify behavioral concerns in advance of an incident like Virginia Tech, and/or prior to any self-harming incident. This team, as with many initiatives on the IUPUI campus, are directly in line with the Virginia Tech recommendations, and even go above and beyond their basic recommendations.

For the Preparedness and Response phases, IUPUI and the IU System as a whole have been working on strengthening our readiness and response capabilities for several years. Below is a list of the types of training conducted, purchases made, policies implemented, programs instituted, and exercises conducted at IUPUI since 2006:

2006:

• WMD Law Enforcement Response Actions training with other Marion County Law Enforcement Agencies. This focused on tactics while utilizing Level 3 personal protective equipment (coveralls, boots, gloves and respirators).

2007

• Active Shooter Classroom training and practical exercises conducted in Cavanaugh Hall utilizing actors for injured and suspects with paintball equipment.
• Implemented IU Notify System for telephone, text and email notifications. This system covers all students, faculty, and staff, and has been proven to deliver text messages within 1 minute of sending the message.

2008

• Active shooter policy training for police.

2009

• Active shooter policy training for police.
• Police active shooter practical training at an Ivy Tech functional exercise with other local and University agencies.
• Police live-fire range training based upon small team tactics focusing on safe movement, safe weapon control, communication, and multiple targets.
• Introduction to patrol rifle-range training for police officers.
• Active Shooter Campus videos made available online to IUPUI faculty, staff, and students.
• Formedthe IUPUI Incident Management Team totaling over 70 people comprised of first responders and employees from around campus as an all-hazard management group. Jim White and Bill Foley agreed to be members of this team in March, 2010.

2010

• Purchased patrol rifles and new handguns for all IUPUI police officers. Handguns have been issued and the rifles are currently being built with their accessories. Hands-on rifle training and qualifications will begin soon.
• Additional patrol rifle introduction training conducted.
• Formed the IU (system) Incident Management Team, and participated in training as a Type 3 (state level emergency) team to respond to emergencies at any IU campus and as requested to other Universities or emergencies in any jurisdiction.
• Expanded IUPUI's Office of Emergency Preparedness into a system-wide Emergency Management and Continuity department (UEMC), combining employees from several different departments into one and creating and hiring three new emergency management directors.
• The University created and filled a Public Safety Director position to coordinate police policies, procedures and training for all campuses.
• Active shooter video training for police.
• Police live-fire range training focusing on two person team tactics communication, live fire, shotgun/handgun transition, and safe handgun control.
• Tabletop exercise with an active shooter component conducted by Good Harbor Associates for the IUPUI Incident Management Team in May. Both Jim White and Bill Foley attended this training and exercise.
• Voice alert capability was purchased for addition to the Campus Center Bell system, and controlled by the IUPUI Public Safety Dispatch Center. It will also be controlled by the Marion County Outdoor warning system for severe weather alerts and other warnings.
• During 2009/2010 over 50 presentations have been made (and continue to be made) to a variety of groups focusing on safety in shooting incidents and dealing with unusual situations by Student Life, Police and UEMC.
• UEMC conducted two full-day seminars for members of the IUPUI Incident Management Team which included training on the Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan, mass notification plan (JagAlert Guide), and Emergency Action Plans on Day 1; and Departmental Standard Operating Procedures on Day 2; as well as Incident Command System 100 and 200 courses. Both Jim White and Bill Foley attended Day 2; Bill Foley attended Day 1 as well.
• UEMC has contracted with Beck Disaster Recovery to produce all materials for training seminars, a table top exercise, and a full-scale exercise based on an active shooter scenario. This training will be for the IUPUI Policy Group, first responders, and the IUPUI Incident Management Team.
• Completed a Risk Assessment of the IUPUI campus buildings (by category), which compares and analyzes threats (hazards), consequences and vulnerabilities. Report is due out soon.
• Police and UEMC are coordinating an active shooter response demonstration and training seminar for the IUPUI policy group through Vice Chancellor Rhodes.
• University Emergency Management and Continuity is currently studying indoor alerting systems and along with IU Police other physical security enhancements for IUPUI and the rest of the IU system.
• IU system under the direction of the University Chief Security Officer is studying consolidation of access control, alarm and security video systems.