Wing inspectors encourage Sabers to prepare for active shooter

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Maeson L. Elleman
  • 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs

Spangdahlem Air Base is slated to conduct an active shooter exercise Nov. 16, and the inspection team wants Sabers to be ready for anything.

Tech. Sgt. Jacqueline Diaz, 52nd Security Forces Squadron section chief of Standardization and Evaluations, said it may be a training exercise, but everyone on the base should have a game plan in place.

“We’re hoping everyone takes it like it’s a real-world incident,” Diaz said. This could happen anywhere, honestly, and it’s super important for everyone to know active shooter procedures.”

Not every agency on base will see the simulated active shooter, which is defined as an individual who is engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a confined or populated area.

For the purpose of the mid-November exercise, some areas of the installation will be affected areas and others will be unaffected. However, the confirmed affected areas and times will remain a mystery to base personnel until the exercise begins, and inspectors are stressing for everyone to treat all locations on base as affected until specifically notified otherwise.

As part of that response, there are certain steps for members to take at different points of the situation.

Before the exercise is underway, members should always remain vigilant, watching for suspicious activity or listening for sounds of gunfire. Once an active shooter – simulated or otherwise – is identified, Diaz said the best course of action is to call 06565-61-911 if dialing from a German mobile device. Once the Base Defense Operations Center (BDOC) is notified, the center will send Security Forces responders to that location.

Diaz said once lockdown is announced using the “Giant Voice” and Ad Hoc systems, everyone on the installation should immediately initiate lockdown procedures.

Once in a lockdown situation, everyone should first identify whether or not the threat is in the immediate area. If inside the incident area, evacuate if it is safe to do so and help others do the same. Remember to leave belongings behind and call 9-11 when you are safe and able.

Should evacuation be impossible or if outside the incident zone, take steps to prevent access to the intruder – barricade or lock all entrances and windows to the facility. If the shooter is in the vicinity, use heavy furniture to reinforce locked doors while turning out lights, silencing any electronic devices, and staying quiet.

Members are only encouraged to take action against the shooter as an absolute last resort. Members are discouraged from seeking out the gunman or putting themselves in further harm unless they believe themselves or others in the area are in immediate danger of death or serious bodily harm.

For the purpose of the exercise, the inspection team will evaluate members’ ability to secure themselves and their facilities while adhering to silence guidelines.

Master Sgt. L. Jay Scheid, 52nd Fighter Wing Antiterrorism Force Protection Office superintendent cautioned those not in the affected area to remain vigilant during the exercise regardless of their proximity to the shooter.

“When notified by inspection team members, those outside the affected area can go back to business as usual inside the building,” Scheid said. “However, still keep external doors and windows locked and shut until the exercise has ended.”

Lastly, members should also be prepared for potential road closures which may affect their commute during the time of the exercise.

For more information on active shooter preparedness, click here.