Report cites a rise in active shooter incidents across the US and the increased hostilities directed at federal agencies. Image: Tada Images/Shutterstock.com
In a report focusing on the IRS but addressing an issue common across federal agencies, the inspector general’s office there has recommended boosting active shooter training for employees, saying they “need to fully understand their response options to empower them to react decisively” in such an incident.
“The rise in active shooter incidents across the United States and the increased hostilities directed at federal agencies make it important for IRS leaders to develop a plan and train their staff on best practices to help keep themselves safe during an active threat situation,” it said.
It said that while the current training complies with DHS-recommended “run, hide, fight” responses and that nearly all employees have taken the training on schedule, an incident last fall of an unfounded report of a shooter at one facility showed opportunities for improvement.
It said that some staff did not know how to respond; reported not being alerted to the active shooter situation by the on-site public announcement system or a messaging system; and that an after-action assessment of the response was not completed. Such assessments are to include, for example, a review of the impact on persons with disabilities to determine if they encountered any difficulties in the employee evacuation drills or shelter-in-place drills, and if they did, what could be improved.
The IG said management agreed with recommendations including requiring after-action assessments of active shooter drills or events, emphasizing that employees discuss emergency preparedness with their managers annually, and specify when a system will be used to notify staff of active shooter events and how it will be used post-event to account for staff.
Key Bills Advancing, but No Path to Avoid Shutdown Apparent
TSP Adds Detail to Upcoming Roth Conversion Feature
White House to Issue Rules on RIF, Disciplinary Policy Changes
DoD Announces Civilian Volunteer Detail in Support of Immigration Enforcement
See also,
How Do Age and Years of Service Impact My Federal Retirement
The Best Ages for Federal Employees to Retire
How to Challenge a Federal Reduction in Force (RIF) in 2025
Should I be Shooting for a $1M TSP Balance? Depends…