Active shooter exercise tests medical group

by Senior Airman Benjamin Sutton
366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

11/12/2013 - MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho  -- Shots rang out and rounds echoed off the floor of the 366th Medical Group building here Nov. 13.

Unknown to hospital personnel, at exactly 12:15 p.m. and 1 second a gunman, escorted by exercise controllers, was calmly surveying the hallways for anyone who decided to be curious or forgot their active-shooter training.

"With recent active shooter incidents throughout the country, it's important to get this valuable training out and prepare both military and civilian counterparts either here on- or off-base," said Master Sgt. Francis Woznick, 366th Security Forces Squadron NCO in charge of standards and evaluations. "This training isn't isolated to just casual work-center drills, these are vital survival skills."

The purpose of the exercise was to prepare the hospital staff to respond to an active-shooter situation.

"The safety of our patients and staff is extremely important to 366th Medical Group leadership and they felt the time spent on such training would enhance the level of safety," said Lt. Col. Robert Corby, 366th Medical Support Squadron commander. "We want to be able to expose opportunities for improvement in an exercise environment so we are fully prepared to respond in the event of a real-life situation. The training exposed hospital personnel to a realistic active-shooter situation that mirrored the environment and associated confusion brought on by a heightened state of anxiety."

The confusion tested hospital personnel as well as the systems in place to address such a situation.

"While the exercise did identify some opportunities for improvement with respect to those systems and processes, the greatest impact was that it generated discussion among our personnel," said Corby. "As staff departed the exercise area you could hear discussions concerning what we could do better and how we would react next time. This type of situation at the 366th MDG is no longer a theoretical possibility but a situation our staff can identify with and actively participate in planning for. We have made the choice to be ready."

Woznick explained the steps individuals must take in order to protect themselves during an active shooter rampage.

"The main points are basically to run, hide and fight," he said. "Run by having an escape plan and help others if possible. If you cannot safely run then hide from view of the shooter, block any entryway and remain silent."

"As a last resort don't become a victim by choosing to stand in place," said Woznick. "If you find yourself face to face with the shooter and all other options of running and hiding have failed--fight. Use any means possible, throw items at the shooter, and even turn the tables and attack the shooter. Use as much aggression as you can possibly use to protect your life. Go for vulnerable points such as eyes, throat, groin...no parts are off-limits. At this point it's your own personal war; fight to win."

Medical Group squadron commanders received a briefing and presentation prior to the exercise about the actions people should take during this kind event.

"This exercise was a team effort between the 366th Fighter Wing leadership, MDG, SFS and Public Affairs," said Corby. "The goal of today's exercise was to expose MDG personnel to a realistic active shooter scenario. The teamwork between base leaders was essential to ensure we could generate a realistic situation while keeping our patients safe and community informed. People took the exercise very seriously and reacted with a great sense of urgency. The addition of an armed aggressor in this exercise brought a level of realism that significantly contributed to the staff's situational awareness."