Business Emergency Resources

This page is intended to help provide business owners with tools and resources to be as prepared as possible in the event of an emergency situation.   Sources have been gathered from a variety of organizations. The page will be updated with information as appropriate.

This page and resources were shared by Downtown Colorado Inc, Downtown Boulder Business Improvement District, and Colorado Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Management.

Active Shooter Training: How to Respond

An active shooter is an individual actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a confined and populated area. In most cases, active shooters use firearms(s) and there is no pattern or method to their selection of victims. Active shooter situations are unpredictable and evolve quickly. Typically, the immediate deployment of law enforcement is required to stop the shooting and mitigate harm to victims. Because active shooter situations are often over within 10 to 15 minutes, before law enforcement arrives on the scene, individuals must be prepared both mentally and physically to deal with an active shooter situation.

Nevertheless, there are things you can do to prepare for the unexpected. Preparing for such events will reduce the stress that you may feel now, and later, should another emergency arise. Explore the information below to see how you can better prepare yourself for these types of situations.

Eights Signs of Terrorism

Terrorist operations usually begin with extensive planning and can happen anytime, anywhere, but you can help detect and prevent terrorism by watching out for suspicious activities and by reporting them to the proper authorities. Be alert for the eight signs of terrorism!

VIDEO: Recognizing the 8 Signs of Terrorism(link is external)

1. Surveillance: Terrorists may conduct surveillance to determine a target’s strengths and weaknesses. Be aware of someone who appears to be monitoring security personnel or equipment, or gauging emergency response time.  Suspicious activities may include using vision-enhancing devices or cameras, acquiring floor plans or blueprints, drawing diagrams and showing interest in security and access to facilities.
2. Elicitation: People or organizations attempting to gain information about military operations, capabilities, or people. Elicitation attempts may be made by mail, email, telephone, in person or even by gaining employment at the location.
3. Tests of Security: Any attempt to measure reaction times to security breaches, attempts to penetrate physical security barriers, or monitor procedures in order to assess strengths and weaknesses.
4. Funding: Terrorists need to raise money for their operations and spend it in a way that doesn’t draw attention.  Be aware of unusually large transactions paid with cash or gift cards, collections for donations and solicitations for money.
5. Supplies: To conduct an attack, terrorists may need a variety of supplies, such as weapons, uniforms, badges, and communication systems.
6. Impersonation: Terrorists may impersonate law enforcement officers, firefighters, mail carriers, or company employees to gain information. Someone who seems suspicious in what they say or do on the job could be a red flag.
7. Rehearsal: Terrorists often rehearse a planned attack to make sure their operation runs smoothly. This may include measuring response time by emergency responders, mapping routes and determining the timing of traffic lights.
8. Deployment: This is when terrorists are putting their plans into place, getting into position, and moving equipment and supplies.  If you observe this type of activity, this is your last chance to alert authorities before the attack is launched.  If you believe there is imminent danger, call 911 immediately.

Translations

The above resource was provided by the Colorado Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Management.

Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office

Administration Building
13101 E. Broncos Parkway
Centennial, CO 80112

Non-Emergency Dispatch: 303-795-4711
Emergency: 911
Headquarters: 720-874-3600
Detentions: 720-874-3500

All County Offices

Learn More about resources at the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Website Here

FEMA

Individual Preparedness Activities: Active Shooter What to Do PDF

Ready.gov

The actions taken in the initial minutes of an emergency are critical. A prompt warning to employees to evacuate, shelter or lockdown can save lives. A call for help to public emergency services that provides full and accurate information will help the dispatcher send the right responders and equipment. An employee trained to administer first aid or perform CPR can be lifesaving. Action by employees with knowledge of building and process systems can help control a leak and minimize damage to the facility and the environment.

The first step when developing an emergency response plan is to conduct a risk assessment to identify potential emergency scenarios. An understanding of what can happen will enable you to determine resource requirements and to develop plans and procedures to prepare your business. The emergency plan should be consistent with your performance objectives. Read more.

Attacks in Crowded and Public Spaces

RUN. HIDE. FIGHT.® Surviving an Active Shooter Event – English (Video)

Life-threatening emergencies can happen fast and emergency responders aren’t always nearby. You may be able to save a life by taking simple actions immediately. You Are the Help Until Help Arrives.

Click on the links below to learn more about how you can help:

• An animated interactive video
• A web-based training program
• A downloadable instructor guide and student tools to provide in-person training

Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency

The Active Shooter Emergency Action Plan Guide supplements the Active Shooter Emergency Action Plan Video. Together, they create a virtual training tool designed to help develop an organization’s Active Shooter Emergency Action Plan.

Active Shooter Participant Workshop

The Active Shooter Emergency Action Plan Video describes the fundamental concepts of developing an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) for an active shooter scenario. This instructive video guides viewers through important considerations of EAP development utilizing the first-hand perspectives of active shooter survivors, first responder personnel, and other subject matter experts who share their unique insight.

The Active Shooter Emergency Action Plan Template is a fillable form useful in documenting an organization’s Active Shooter Emergency Action Plan.

Active Shooter Preparedness Webinar  – The DHS Active Shooter PowerPoint Presentation is used by DHS qualified subject-matter experts as a visual reference to guide critical infrastructure owners and operators with a better understanding of developing an organization’s emergency action plan.

Securing Soft Targets and Crowded Places Resources – Soft Targets and Crowded Places (ST-CPs), such as sports venues, shopping venues, schools, and transportation systems, are locations that are easily accessible to large numbers of people and that have limited security or protective measures in place making them vulnerable to attack. DHS has been working for many years to address ST-CP security and preparedness, with recent shifts in the threat landscape calling for renewed departmental focus on leveraging and maximizing its ST-CP security authorities, capabilities, and resources in an integrated and coordinated manner.

US Department of Homeland Security:

The Pathway to Violence (Video – 11 minutes)
Options for Consideration Active Shooter Training (Video – 8 minutes)

Governor Jared Polis’s Office:
Traumatic situations take a toll on all of us and support is critical. You can find helpful resources below:

• Colorado Crisis Services hotline: 1-844-493-8255
• National Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990
• If you are a parent, here is a link to helpful resources on how to discuss with your children.

Mental Health Partners Colorado:

• Community In Mourning
• Coping After Mass Violence
• Healing and Coping During Difficult Times (short videos)

National Mass Violence Victimization Resource Center

• Supporting Resilience and Recovery in the Community

AvoidDenyDefend.org (Texas State University)

• Avoid-Deny-Defend 8.5X11 PDF
• Surviving an Active Shooter Event – Civilian Response to Active Shooter

FBI:Active Shooter Resources

The FBI is committed to working with its partners to protect schools, workplaces, houses of worship, transportation centers, other public gathering sites, and communities.

The successful prevention of these active shooter incidents lies with a wide range of public and private entities all working together.

To that end, the FBI provides operational, behaviorally-based threat assessment and threat management services to help detect and prevent acts of targeted violence, helping academic, mental health, business, community, law enforcement, and government entities recognize and disrupt potential active shooters who may be on a trajectory toward violence. The Bureau also continues its research to identify indicators that could signal potential violent intent.

Boulder Police Department, Mental Health Partners of Colorado, Boulder Chamber, Downtown Boulder Partnership and the City of Boulder partnered to provide the Boulder business community two free workshops on Emergency Preparedness Training and Mental Health Support Guidance.

Talking About Trauma and the Process of Grief (April 2021):
Special presentation from Jillian Morrison with Mental Health Partners of Colorado. Jillian walks us through normal responses to trauma and educates us on how we can help ourselves, and others, to better understand and process grief.
View Presentation
View Recording