Washington, DC – During a briefing on vigilance in the wake of recent terrorist attacks, employers and government officials in metropolitan Washington were advised to adopt strong security measures and always report suspicious behavior to law enforcement officials.

“The harder the target becomes (meaning the better a security plan is), it makes it more difficult for the attacker,” Carl Ghattas, the FBI’s Special Agent-in-Charge for the Washington District Office, said at a special briefing for business and government officials sponsored by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG), the Greater Washington Board of Trade (BOT) and the American Red Cross of the National Capital Region. He added that one of the lessons of the Paris attack is that stronger security measures can reduce the number of casualties.

Agent Ghattas also outlined the evolution of terrorist practices over the last two decades, and explained that terrorist organizations now focus on recruiting “homegrown, violent extremists” – known as HVEs- via the Internet. Because those individuals often attack on their own timetable, he said it’s important for people to be aware of suspicious behavior and report it to law enforcement.

Top local police officials, including Col. Edwin Roessler, Jr., Fairfax County Police Chief, and Lamar Greene, District of Columbia Assistant Chief of Police, agreed.

“We emphasize ‘See something, Say something,’ but it’s not just about the backpack that’s left unattended, it’s also about human behavior,” said Chief Roessler. “There are often indications that someone might not be well; of mental illness, and we have to take note of that.”  Assistant Chief Greene advised “You just have to let us be the ‘tip of the spear’ – we’re the ones who will decide whether to act on the intelligence or not.”

Private security experts – Matt Smith, Director of Security for Vornado and Joe Donovan, Director, Operational Risk, for Beacon Capital, spoke in detail about the importance of a current, well-planned building security program.

They highlighted the need for planning and communication as well as plans to assist law enforcement if there is an incident in a building.

Resources:

Helpful Links

• Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Active Shooter Preparedness Webpage
• Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Active Shooter Incidents Webpage
• DC Government Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency Webpage
• iWATCH - A suspicious activity reporting tool that enables users to provide detailed information about suspicious activities or behaviors that may indicate possible criminal or terrorist activity.
• DHS Commercial Facilities Sector Webpage - includes videos, training, and publications that help owners, operators, and employees identify and report suspicious behavior and activity.

Videos

• DHS “Options for Consideration Active Shooter Preparedness” Video - This video demonstrates possible actions to take if confronted with an active shooter scenario.
• FBI “Run, Hide, Fight” Video - This video outlines steps to surviving an active shooter event.
• “Check It!” Video - This video highlights the indicators of suspicious activity, and provides information to help employees properly search bags.
• “No Reservations: Suspicious Behavior in Hotels” Video - This video provides information to help hotel employees identify and report suspicious activities and threats in a timely manner.
• “What’s in Store: Ordinary People/Extraordinary Events” Video - This video provides information on identifying and reporting suspicious activity and threats at shopping centers and retail establishments.
• “Recognizing 8 Signs of Terrorism” Video – A seven-minute video produced by the Utah Department of Public Safety.

Mobile Apps

• See Something Send Something - The app is a free suspicious activity reporting (SAR) tool connecting concerned citizens, first responders and law enforcement directly to key intelligence centers throughout the United States.
• Capitalert.gov - This alert system offers critical information during emergencies, with official notifications from local public safety and emergency managers. The alerts are available via text, email, phone, instant messaging or fax.

Training

• FEMA Active Shooter: What You Can Do Training - This course provides guidance to individuals, including managers and employees, so that they can prepare to respond to an active shooter situation.
• FEMA Surveillance Awareness: What You Can Do Training - The purpose of this course is to make employees aware of actions they can take to detect and report suspicious activities associated with adversarial surveillance.
• FEMA Workplace Violence Awareness Training - The goal of this course is to give employees awareness of violence in the workplace, how to recognize the warning signs, and what actions to take to prevent or minimize violence.
• DHS Critical Infrastructure Learning Series – Webinars conducted by critical infrastructure experts on the tools, trends, issues, and best practices for infrastructure security and resilience.

Templates

• Active Shooter Plan Template - This template is a generic fill in the blank and customizable based on sections that may be applicable to your facility.

Publications

• DHS Active Shooter Booklet - A quick and easy to use booklet on active shooters.
• DHS Active Shooter Poster - A quick reference guide which can be posted.
• FBI Study of Active Shooter Incidents in the United States Between 2000 and 2013
• FBI Active Shooter Events from 2000 to 2012 Bulletin
• How to Warn Occupants about Active Shooters Article
• Mass Notification Cheat Sheet – provides examples for different types of  mass notification.
• DC  Business Emergency Management Operations Center (BEMOC) Flyer
• Washington Regional Threat Analysis Center (WRTAC) Active Shooter Bulletin