Friday is National Gun Violence Awareness Day in the United States – an annual occasion recognizing the thousands of people killed and injured by gun violence each year. This year’s event comes as the nation mourns the loss of 21 lives at a Texas elementary school on May 24.
Already this year, there have been 233 mass shootings across the country, and more than 18,000 deaths attributed to guns. As these numbers continue to increase, the fight to end gun violence has never been more urgent.
Although efforts to impose gun restrictions that would stem gun violence have failed repeatedly over the years, many Americans are hopeful that recent attacks in Buffalo, Uvalde, and Tulsa will inspire change in the coming days.
Wear Orange Weekend, scheduled for June 3-5, promotes gun safety and encourages people to take action against gun violence. And March for Our Lives – founded by survivors of the 2018 school shooting in Parkland, Florida – is planning nationwide marches for Saturday, June 11. The main event will take place in Washington, D.C.
Whether you’re attending a local march or simply going to work, it’s important that you know how to respond in an active shooter situation. The Department of Homeland Security has issued pocket-sized cards with guidelines for anyone facing a shooting.
Employers should also be taking steps to protect their workers from potential danger – including addressing active shooter preparedness in their emergency action plans.
Not only do facility managers play a crucial role in the formation and execution of these emergency plans, but they are uniquely positioned to advocate for and advance workplace safety.
Controlling facility access, implementing security assessments, and investing in security systems are just a few of the steps FMs can take to mitigate the threat of an active shooter.
