Page 13 - The HandPrint_Sept-Oct

Run - Hide - Fight Training

By Cassedy Arvay, Human Performance
Hiding under desks or behind thin drywall may
At the end of September, Officer Lauri Natko of the conceal a target, but it will not protect you from
Akron Police Department (APD), joined by fellow bullets.
APD officers, presented “Run, Hide, Fight” active It is important to hide in places that provide cover,
shooter response training to employees at GOJO such as behind brick and mortar walls or metal
Plaza. “Run, Hide, Fight” is recommended by doors. When finding protective hiding places, also
government agencies, such as the FBI and CIA. The consider blocking entrances with furniture, locking or
training encompasses aspects of other violent disabling doors, etc. Violent intruders are typically
intruder trainings such as ALICE and ADD. Officer after easy targets and won’t want to waste time
Natko led the training, starting off by reminding knocking down barricades or jostling doors to get to
attendees that workplace violence and mass a person. Officer Natko acknowledged that natural
shootings are on the rise in the United States. She reactions to these emergencies are often to flee or
then examined some of America’s largest and most hide, but when directly faced with this threat,
traumatic active shooter events, noting that most overcoming panic and fear and fighting back against
active shooter events occur within a matter of a shooter, although terrifying, is a viable option. The
minutes and are often over by the time law ultimate goal of fighting is to interrupt the intruder’s
enforcement arrives on scene. Officer Natko plan by distracting and subduing them. Attackers
reinforced the importance of the “Run, Hide, Fight” can be distracted with even the smallest of items,
training by reiterating that organizations cannot rely like a stapler, coffee cups, chairs, etc., and
on the police alone for rescuing employees. (potentially) subdued until law enforcement arrives.
Organizations should develop safety plans and
strategies for prolonging lives until the police arrive. Unfortunately, violence in the world is increasing,
and developing plans to prepare for potential
After explaining the realities of active shooter violence in the workplace is necessary. The GOJO
situations, Officer Natko dove head-first into training Plaza Safety Team is currently revisiting existing
strategies that can be employed to safely and emergency policies and procedures, as well as
successfully respond to these emergencies, starting addressing the need for new policies in light of
with “run.” Typically, running is our natural response training and recent trends. If you have questions,
to dangers, and is an instinct we should trust. In an concerns, or suggestions, please contact a member
active shooter situation, fleeing the scene removes of the Safety Team or Human Resources. Additional
potential targets, and eliminates the need for others “Run, Hide, Fight” trainings will be made available at
(i.e. family members) to come on scene. It is GOJO Lippman Campus, GOJO Plaza, and GOJO
important to keep a few things in mind when fleeing, Wooster Campus. If you have any questions, please
however. Out of panic, people oftentimes run to the contact a member of the HR team. Many thanks to
closest way out in a “mass exit” type fashion. the Akron Police Department for keeping us safe by
Unfortunately, this creates bottlenecks. Employees protecting us and preparing us to protect ourselves.
must consider alternate escape routes and ways of
dispersing that minimize or eliminate crowding. It is
also important when fleeing to understand that your
life and the lives of others are the most important.
You should not expect to grab your keys, purse,
wallet, etc. Exiting immediately and surviving is the
top priority.

In the event that running is not a viable option, there
are other strategies that can be used. Hiding is a
second option, but Officer Natko reminded
attendees that thoughtful strategy is important for
survival.
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