SURFLANT Holds Active Shooter Drill
26 October 2017
NORFOLK, Va. -- Commander, Naval Surface Force Atlantic (SURFLANT) military and civilian personnel are participating in a training exercise, Oct. 23 through Oct. 27, to ensure that if an active shooter scenario were to occur, personnel would be ready to actively counter that threat here at SURFLANT headquarters building.
The active shooter exercise was designed to familiarize Sailors, government employees and contractors with the Navy's Run-Hide-Fight policy.
Employing role-players and sounds effects, firing weapons with dummy rounds, and creating a high-stress environment, the exercise was designed to be as realistic as possible, while also ensuring the safety of all involved.
"A few years ago, after the shooting that took place at the Washington Navy Yard, we took a look at how SURFLANT can be prepared with both physical security measures and training for the staff so that we can mitigate the risk of an active shooter," said Jeff Shue, SURFLANT's (Mr. Shue's title here). "We determined that we must be prepared for the possibility of adverse situations, to include an active shooter scenario."
Training and retraining is necessary to prepare personnel for this type of emergency. Shue was on hand to provide critiques on the performance of all involved and find room for improvement.
"When we do these drills we are always taking a look at lessons learned. Each time we have improved something, whether it is our mustering procedures or physical security measures," he said. "Even after doing this for a couple years now, we are always looking for ways to improve our response."
The training is designed to ensure personnel at SURFLANT know what to do. This type of training and participation can save lives in the event of an actual active shooter event.