The post I didn’t want to write – “Active Shooter” and your credit union

by. Robin Remines

I didn’t want to write this post. In fact, I had planned a really cool piece on how backup strategies using hosted solutions can improve your recovery time objectives (RTO). And then I saw the “active shooter” alert about Ft. Hood. A devastating situation compounded by the fact that it has happened twice. I’m not going to lie, I’d prefer to write about technologies than “active shooter” scenario’s but as a recovery planner our role is to help you consider worst-case scenario’s and the reality is – an “active shooter” scenario is happening all too frequently.

So out of respect for those whose lives were lost and those who were injured, today’s post takes a look at this scenario and the steps you can take to protect your employees and credit union.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) defines an “active shooter” as an individual actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in rearms(s) and there is no pattern or method to their selection of victims.

Could it happen at your credit union? The reality is – it can happen anywhere. 

1) Don’t confuse robbery training with “active shooter” training – Generally speaking, when a financial institution is robbed, the gunman wants to get in/get out very quickly. The goal is the money. Look closely at the definition above! Notice the goal is simply to kill and harm people.  There is generally no warning, no stereotype and above all, no rationale. So your actions in this scenario are decidedly different. So what DO you do?

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