Putting the Power to Survive in the Hands of Students

While faculty and staff members had the opportunity to prepare for these emergency situations at the In-Service Training Day on Feb. 20, students at MBU have received little information or training for such situations.

And, according to Steve Heidke, director of public safety at MBU, this is by design.

“The only problem with training students on active shooters, is most active shooters are students and we don’t want to give some student the manifesto on how to defeat our system,” Heidke said.

Public Safety shares limited information and procedures with students “to prevent students who may revolt,” according to Heidke.

MBU Public Safety has an “Active Shooter Awareness” video on MBU’s website that provides valuable information to MBU students.

James Kellogg, director of the Criminal Justice Department and associate professor of criminal justice, listed several strategies MBU has employed to improve people’s chances in an active shooter situation: developing an emergency plan, developing a crisis communication plan, training staff, conducting on-site assessments and forming a community policing partnership with the Creve Coeur Police Department.

Kellogg said he believes there is little to no value in conducting student drills at MBU.

“I dare say that every student on MBU’s campus and almost all the teachers on campus have been through lock-down drills more than once. Not much has changed in these drills in the last five or so years, other than terminology,” Kellogg said in an email interview. “There really is not much else that can be done to educate, equip and help people come up with ideas on what to do in the highly unlikely event of being involved in an active shooter situation.”  

The Department of Homeland Security defines an active shooter as “an individual engaged in attempting to kill people in a confined space or populated area.”

In addition, the Homeland Security article specifies that active shooters typically use firearms and have no pattern to their selection of victims.

Kellogg said students must be aware of their surroundings at all times and be prepared to respond to changing situations.

“A lot can happen in 30 seconds, let alone the 3 to 5 minutes it will take police or armed security to arrive at the scene and begin tracking and eliminating the threat,” said Kellogg, who has over 31 years of law enforcement experience. “A person must have the courage to act; to not freeze in fear, to do something other than just stand or sit like a deer caught in headlights, expecting someone to come and save them.”

The most important thing to do in these situations is know how to respond in a way that will get you out of harm’s way as quickly and safely as possible.

“If you are in a location where there is only one way in and out and it is cut off, have a plan in place of where you can go to hide as safely as possible; some place that may offer you a weapon of some type. Do not call attention to yourself by talking, crying, etc.,” Kellogg said in the email, summarizing the most important things for students to remember. “Stay level headed. I know that sounds easier said than done, but if you have prepared yourself mentally ahead of time, made a plan, it will help you to control your fears. Deep breathing can help you to think better and to stay calmer.”

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has published information about how to stay safe when an active shooter threatens your campus.