Are Retailers Prepared for an Active Shooter?

We all think "that could never happen to my company, I don't need security guard services," but the truth is, it happens all the time, all across the country and most retailers are not prepared to handle an active shooter or other emergency responses.  Is your company prepared? 

"NRF updates guidelines to encourage retailers to 'develop a plan that's right for their business environment'.

The near-fatal shooting of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, which claimed the lives of six people in the parking lot of a Tucson, Arizona Safeway supermarket, was a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of an active shooter event.  Tragic events like this remind security professionals they must prepare their employees for the unthinkable.  But what Joe LaRocca, senior asset protection advisor for the National Retail Federation, heard for years from retailers is that very few of them had active shooter plans built into their emergency plans.

However, events like the one in Tucson are spurring retailers, and others in the private sector, to be better prepared.  And to help them properly train employees and staff, the NRF announced on March 31 that is has updated its active shooter emergency response guidelines.  The association collaborated with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to develop an online interactive program that can help train employees how to respond during an active shooter event.

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BY Leischen Stelter
Security Director News' website - April 5, 2011

And contact Protos Security for your emergency response security guard needs.