Active Shooter/Workplace Violence Insurance and Risk Mitigation Programs

This session at PRIMA’s 2018 Annual Conference featured the following speakers:

• Paul Marshall – Managing Director – McGowan Active Shooter Programs
• Dianne Howard – Director of Risk Management – Palm Beach County School District
• James Kelly – Retired Police Chief – Executive VP – Life Safety Solutions

James Kelly opened the session by defining the incidents and the perspective from a crisis management perspective. Each year, nearly 2 million American workers are victims of workplace violence. According to OSHA, workplace violence is the second leading cause of work-site deaths in the US.

We need to make ourselves less attractive to someone who wants to do harm. Things that make us a soft target include no visible security, no fences, unsecured fences/doors, one propped open door = a gateway, unrestricted access to property/structures, and no or inoperative security cameras.

Who are the most dangerous people in the workplace according to the United States Secret Service: a person who is desperate, feels his/her life is on the line, person who is out for revenge at all costs, someone who is suicidal/prepared to die. Responding to concerns raised by employees/students and planning supportive termination/separation are ways to proactively avoid violent situations.

Workplace violence actors generally are employee/ex-employee, directed violence on select person(s), likely bypass non related persons, may take hostage(s). Active shooters are well planned, generally not there to take hostages, employee/member/student/parent, directed violence or random, events go rapidly, it is a statement, suspect will be heavily armed. Active Shooters are looking for large venues, easy access to potential victims, restricted exit from property or structure, and limited mobility.

Four phases of crisis management are mitigation & prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery. Steps to prevent/mitigate/prepare: vulnerability/threat assessment, communication, crisis plan, train/drill, involve employees in their own protection, and use latest incidents to emphasis need. How do we respond: work with partners and stick to plan. How do we recover: gather resources before incident, providing ongoing counseling, and meet with staff. What can you do now: Review EOP with staff regularly, know security protocols, practice, and train everyone to see something-say something.

Be Aware:

• Always be on guard
• Watch for suspicious activity
• Alert Authorities about suspicious activity
• Ready your school/office by having a plan
• Educate your staff on responsible procedures.

Dianne Howard shared in her experience with her active shooter policy which initially would not have adequately covered loss, but the cost the first year was worth the included services, assessments, trainings that helped identify exposure and provided them with the opportunity to improve their preparedness plans. As a result, in their renewal, they were able to identify the terms, capacity, and limits that were going to be more appropriate in the case of an active-shooter incident. As incidents occur, being mindful of the total recovery replacement costs is altering the policy coverage needs including emotional costs linked to property replacement and memorial funding.

Paul Marshall concluded the session with updates on current policy coverages, terms and exclusions to examine, and how policies are adapting. Look for policies to include day one coverage and these general terms/capacity/limits:

• $1,200 minimum premium
• $1M-$20M Standard Limits (up to $100M capacity)
• $0 – $1M retentions available
• Aggregated Policy
• Victim Benefits/Business Interruption/Property/Liability/Extra Expense
• No Terrorism exclusion
• No Employee Exclusions
• No Casualties Threshold limit
• No Vehicle exclusion
• No requirement for explosive to be physically attached to assailant.
• Optional off-site exposure extension for study abroad programs.