6 DECEMBER 2018 • FOGHORN FOGHORNFOCUS: SECURITY/VESSEL REVIEW T his is a scenario that none of us ever want to experience, but given the ever increasing number of active shooter incidents around the country, we all need to prepare for the possibility. According to a recent study by the FBI, for the years 2016 and 2017, there were 50 active shooter incidents in the United States. In those incidents, 221 people were killed and 720 were injured. The FBI report stated, “The enhanced threat posed by active shooters and the swiftness with which active shooter incidents unfold support the importance of preparation by law enforcement officers and citizens alike.” How can we better prepare our crews to deter and respond to an active shooter situation? We must add active shooter training to our curriculum. Some companies have already imple- mented rigorous programs to prepare their crew, but many others haven’t. Cross Sound Ferry recently hired a security training specialist to help develop and implement an Active Shooter Training Program tailored to our operation. The training was funded, in part, through a 2017 Port Security Grant. Our goal was to create a custom training program that would take into account the unique character- istics of our operation, including vessel size, crew size, expected law enforce- ment response time, etc. We specifically chose a training company with both maritime and active shooter training experience. We began the process with a week-long visit by the trainers, who rode the boats, spoke with the crew, and developed likely active shooter scenarios along with realistic response options. Engaging the crew during the development of the training was very important. The crew’s feedback and participation significantly contributed to the success of the training program. We created videos aboard an out of service vessel, using our crew as actors, to demonstrate the scenarios. These videos became part of our company training program and are integrated into a PowerPoint/lecture presentation. In addition to the PowerPoint/ lecture, a large component of our training program is hands-on training. The crew has two fundamental choices when dealing with an active shooter: fight or flight. The concepts of running Preventing an Active Shooter Incident Takes Planning, Preparation and Practice By Christopher Anglin, Cross Sound Ferry Services, Inc. BANG, BANG, BANG… “Captain, there is an active shooter aboard the vessel! What should we do?” Cross Sound Ferry’s SusanAnne (left) and Jessica W are two of the operation’s vessels that operate from New London, CT. Photos: Cross Sound Ferry Services, Inc.