The primary goal from the December 8 violent intruder event was to train employees to recognize and respond to a violent intruder in the Butrovich Building. The secondary goals were to determine if planning time could be reduced by producing a portable script, involving employees in the planning process and examining safety and risk issues as they appear. These goals were achieved.

The outcomes were encouraging: not only was a building-wide awareness/discussion created, but staff welcomed the training and participated at many levels. Surveys returned identified opportunities for improvement. Thank you.

Among the lessons learned were: security mechanisms in place need to work 100 percent of the time and even small rather inconsistent issues need to be tended, not dismissed; redundant communication methods need to be available so that a failure can be immediately diverted. During this exercise every communication system was tested: buttons, phones, alarms, walkie-talkies, computer messages, email, and emergency messaging systems. Finally, in future trainings employees need to advise what vendors might not be showing up during a drill.

For example, an armored security vehicle with armed security guards arrived during the exercise [this illustrated one of the reasons we have a designated safety officer on scene during any exercise we manage].

Statewide employees are great at hide and seek. Who knew that a childhood game would ever be an important tool to have to ensure safety as adults. Those who evacuated were good about cautiously entering the hallways and using a variety of exits. There were a few items that staff can continue to work on, such as remembering to close the fire doors when exiting their suite and not bunching up and walking as a mass when evacuating the building.

Here are some key take-aways from the post-event survey:

• 85% asked for a more realistic and spontaneous event in the future. We will be taking a very close look at how to balance these concerns for the next event. Comments about the messaging at the museum indicating event was over were appreciated.

• 80% indicated a positive response to messaging being effective and timely.

• 98% agreed that they were informed about the event. (If not too much so! J)

• 70% agreed or strongly agreed that the suite-by-suite training was useful.

• 80% agreed or strongly agreed the Lt. Carrington’s group training was useful. Green Dot to UAF’s Fire and Police Department!

• 61% agree or strongly agree that SW administration is prepared to handle an event like this one.

• 85% agree or strongly agree that they are personally better prepared to handle a violent intruder event. For the organizing committee this is a great statistic.

Thank you all for participating in the training and providing feedback on the event.