US DHS selects CPPS to develop active shooter national guidance

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is developing a national guidance that will train a resource to better respond to an armed shooter scenario.

Titled, "Active Shooter: How to Respond", the DHS booklet will be based on a training programme, Shots Fired: Guidance for Surviving an Active Shooter Situation, from the Washington-based Center for Personal Protection and Safety (CPPS).

The national guidance will include options that will help an individual to better handle an armed threat during an actice shooter situation.

Commenting on the selection, CPPS CEO Randy Spivey was quoted by homelandsecuritynewswire.com as saying, "We are very pleased to assist the Department of Homeland Security in developing content that saves lives."

According to the centre, the Shots Fired training programme includes response options in an active shooter scenario, differences between training and untrained individuals during a crisis and action to be taken when law enforcement arrives.

The programme also includes differences between an active shooter and hostage taking situation and basic principles for preventing violence within any organisation.

Available in three editions including traditional office setting, college campus setting and healthcare setting, the training program is currently being used to train individuals how to respond if faced with an armed threat.

Over 50% of major companies, more than 1,400 US colleges and universities, and several US agencies including the FBI, DOD, VA, and Social Security Administration are claimed to be CPPS’ clients.