Exclusive Information About Terror Mass Shooting Situations
Personal Tips to Help You Protect Yourself in a Mass Shooting Since the Columbine High School shooting in 1999 that killed 13 people and wounded 20 more, we have heard the term “mass shooting” much more than we should ever have to. Sadly, it has become a part of our reality. The Las Vegas Shooting in 2017 is now classified as the deadliest shooting in U.S. history with 59 killed and 851 people injured. These were innocent people having a great time, listening to some music at an outdoor concert. The most recent shooting at Stoneman Douglas High School, as of the time of this writing, is the ninth most deadly shooting with 17 killed and 17 injured. Learn about access control systems and more. And then on April 5, 2018, it was reported that a mass shooting at Syracuse University was averted when the Nelson gun store owner called police after refusing to sell the former student an AR-15 rifle. It was found by law enforcement that the former student had stockpiled gun accessories and ammunition in his apartment after making threats of committing a mass shooting at the University. This brings about a VERY good question and that’s what you should or shouldn’t do if you happen to find yourself in a mass shooting situation? What You Shouldn’t Do The first thing you shouldn’t do is attempt to overtake the shooter. There may be a good chance that you are unarmed, so trying to take down the shooter could get you killed and/or make them angrier. You also don’t want to start throwing objects at the shooter. While this can distract them from spraying bullets randomly around the area, it makes you and anyone around you a target. It has been suggested by non-experts in the media that throwing objects at the shooter can distract them. While this can be true to an extent, it doesn’t come without its risks. If you are in a room and hear gunshots nearby, don’t attempt to run out of the room because that could be what the gunman wants. Instead, lock the door and barricade it. If there is an escape route, take it. Don’t go straight to the desks or tables and hide under them because those are where mass shooters look first. What You Should Do As for what you should do, there are many things that can be done. For schools, it’s time to create an emergency action plan if there isn’t already one in place. Many schools are starting to install access control systems or “ACS Security” that require students to scan ID cards before entering. Security guard presence is up, classrooms are being outfitted with door barricade devices, and evacuation plans are being fine-tuned. It’s good for everyone in every situation to have a plan. Recently, a shooting occurred at YouTube Headquarters, proving, once again, that no workplace is immune. No school is immune, no shopping mall is immune, and even public transportation hubs aren’t immune. That’s why you need to do the following if you find yourself in a mass shooting situation: Hiding under desks and tables doesn’t work. In school shootings, those that have hidden under desks and tables have been the first to die as shooters walk down rows of desks and fire. Even if jumping out of a second story window is the only option, it increases the chance of survival. Barricade doors. At Virginia Tech, the students that barricaded a door with everything they had all survived. Always note entrances and exits when entering a public place. Ask yourself what you will do if there is an attack and create a plan of action. If someone in your vicinity seems suspicious (such as wearing a winter coat in the middle of summer), vacate the area immediately. Always be aware of your surroundings. Always face entrances if you can rather than having your back to them. Move out of the kill zone as soon as you can. It is harder to hit a moving target, but try and exit the area in the most strategic way you can. If a gunman is shooting from your level, it is beneficial to get down. If the gunman is shooting from an elevated area, don’t get down because it makes you a stationary target. Instead, run toward the nearest exit point. You’re harder to hit if you’re moving. If you can’t flee the area, hide behind a structure that can most likely stop bullets. Move as soon as you can. Even if the situation is like the Vegas situation where there was no cover and the location of the shooter was unknown, fleeing increases the chances of survival. Follow these tips and you can increase your chances of survival in a mass shooting situation. The ultimate strategy, however, is always being aware of your surroundings and vacating as soon as something looks or feels strange. Access Control, Business Protection, and More If you wish to make your school, business, warehouse, factory, or another commercial establishment safer against mass shooters and other threats, SPS Fire & Security can help. We specialize in commercial security, such as access control systems, and much more so you can protect your facility and everyone in it. Call today at 585-770-0348 for a free estimate.
Access Control Systems for Businesses: Master Your Security
How Access Control Systems Protect Your Business What is an Access Control System? An Access control System is a reliable, secure and convenient way to control the traffic flow of employees and visitors who enter and exit a building. Access control systems for businesses should be in every facility for safety and security. Some of the facility types that commonly integrate access control into their security include: Office buildings (17% of installations) Industrial manufacturing (13% of installations) Hospitals, schools, and universities (12% of installations) Government facilities (11% of installations) Financial institutions (9% of installations) Retail establishments (9% of installations) Warehousing/Trucking industry (9% of installations) Utilities (6% of installations) Gaming and hospitality industries (5% of installations0 Mass public transportation facilities (4% of installations) The other 5% of installations belong to residential applications. Access Control Systems actively track employees entering and leaving. With computer software, you easily monitor and report dates, times, and frequency of entries and exits for employees or visitors. Nowadays, many companies swiftly switch to access control systems. For instance, employees use a secure ID card, pin number, or fingerprint instead of multiple keys to access different facility areas. As a result, this shift effectively restricts unauthorized visitors or employees from entering specific zones. Protecting Employees with Access Control It is always a sigh of relief to be able to work late in a safe protected environment. With this system, employers can relax knowing that their business is protected and employees can be ensured that unwanted individuals can not enter. If an unauthorized individual tries to access the facility, they aren’t going to be able to. Trying could also constitute a call to authorities to determine why the person was there trying to access the facility. If they did manage to enter, video surveillance can be used to determine who did it and what they did. Access control is almost always accompanied by security cameras. Low Maintenance and Customized To Your Company’s Needs Thousands of businesses can benefit from a customized easy low maintenance system. This type of system can easily be used with a register card, finger print or password. It all depends on what the employer finds works best for them. With many businesses having employees that have access to many different areas located in their businesses, with access control as the employer you can limit what areas employees can enter. Access Control for the Rochester Metro, Syracuse Metro, and Buffalo Metro Do you or someone you know have a business that would benefit from an access control system? If so, contact SPS Fire & Security at 585-770-0348.
Access Control Systems for Gym Safety
Enhanced Gym Security Systems It is already February and so many individuals made a resolution at the beginning of the year to start going to the gym to get healthier and in better physical shape. If you are looking into getting a gym membership, you will see that there are many gyms that are starting to move their hours from set times to 24 hours. By going to 24 hours, gyms are able to use the 24/7 gym access control security system. This system allows individuals with a membership badge to easily swipe and gain access to the gym at any time of the day or night. Many individuals, if lucky, will be able to go to the gym after work if they work into the middle of the night or early in the morning before the sun comes up. With many gyms being able to buy and use this easy system, it gives members peace of mind that they are entering a secure place. Protecting Your Belongings Listed below are some safety tips for keeping your personal belongings safe while at the gym: You should never bring too many personal items that you don’t need to the gym. Never bring your wallet with all your personal cards into the gym. Only bring the membership card or drivers’ license, car keys, locker key and maybe a phone. If you choose to use a locker, make sure that you choose a locker that is in the middle of high tracked area or where there are security cameras. That way if anything does happen or things are missing, it will be easier to track or ask someone. If you choose to use a locker, then choose a lock that is strong and heavy so that it is hard to break. Don’t give your key out or make a copy of the key. Pick a time of the day or night that is comfortable for you but at the same time many gym members there. Know your gym’s surroundings so that you can be safe during your workout time. Contact Your Rochester Access Control Installer Knowing your gym lets you have a fun safe time working out. If you a are a member of a gym that could use a security system or could use an update on their system contact SPS Fire and Security at 585-770-0348.
Raptor Access Control Check-In Security System for School Safety
School Security Taken One Step Further With Access Control Raptor Check-In security system for school safety, is an access control feature every school should consider. Security in schools across the nation is becoming more and more high tech. In order to keep children and facility safe while at school, many schools are upgrading their security systems. One local school in Wayne County, New York started using the Raptor security system to add to its security. Not only does this new system up track the incoming visitors to the school but it also helps monitor the environment for all the school and facility. There are many other positive aspects in using this Raptor system in the schools. What is the Raptor Access Control System? Raptor is a visitor registration system. This registration system will read visitors’ drivers’ licenses, checking the sex offender database to see if there is a match. If there is a match. the system will then alert the faculty member in charge. Assuming there no match, systems printer will then print off a sticker badge with the visitor’s information. What is the purpose of the Raptor System? The main purpose of this system is to keep the school, facility, and children safe and providing access control. With this Raptor System, it tracks unsafe visitors to the school before the visitor is able to make contact with any children. The system can do several things: The visitor coming in the school should have either of the following forms identifications: drivers’ license, military card, gun licenses, or passport. The system can read pretty much any kind of license that has your name, address and photo. If a visitor does not have any of the following, they should bring something with their name and date of birth recorded on it. The Raptor system will check the online sex offender registry to make sure the visitor is safe and able to fully access the school grounds. For any reason that there is a match, the system will send an alert message either by email, phone or text, to the designated faculty member in charge to come meet the visitor. This Person will escort the unwanted visitor off the school grounds. If there is no match, the Raptor system will then print off a visitor sticker badge with the name, picture of visitor, date, time and destination where they are going. The system will record all the information into the system to track the visitors hours and if the facility has any questions. Once the visitor is done at the school, they would sign out by telling the facility member in charge and they will sign out the visitor on their computer system. This is a way to provide entry and departure from the school building. Scanning ID information each time Each time a visitor comes to the school, the school has the ability to either have the visitor scan their ID or just have them print off a sticker badge. Some schools will have the visitor scan their ID each time they visit the school for safety precautions. This is due to the fact that the visitor’s information might change from the last time that they have been to the school. Having upgraded access control security systems like the Raptor System can ensure parents that their children are safe at school. Rochester Security Systems Anywhere Not only is this system good to use at schools but also any company or buildings that have high volume of visitors. If you have any questions regarding this type of system or any security system for home or business, contact SPS Fire & Security at 585-770-0348.