Not long ago, the main practice exercise that facility managers held regularly was a fire drill. Now, as mass shootings happen more often, professionals are paying more attention to procedures that help prepare their tenants for active shooters.

According to the US Federal Bureau of Investigations, an active shooter is an individual actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a populated area. Many FMs are understandably more worried about reducing the risks of active shooter incidents and are anticipating them by going through proactive steps. Preparedness is part of the job and active shooters are genuine risks.

Adults feel stressed about the public shooting risk

While preparedness is crucial, it will not be enough to make some people feel safe when they go to crowded places.

The American Psychological Association conducted a study about mass shootings and the stress associated with them. Arthur C. Evans Jr., Ph.D., the chief executive officer of the APA, explained, "The more these events happen in places where people can see themselves frequenting, the greater the mental health impact will be. We don’t have to experience these events directly for them to affect us. Simply hearing about them can have an emotional impact, and this can have negative repercussions for our mental and physical health."

The poll, which surveyed more than 2,000 adults in the United States, found 79 percent feel stressed due to the possibility of an active shooter. Then, 33 percent said fear prevents them from going to certain places or events, while 24 percent said they changed how they live because they're afraid of a potential mass shooting.

Outside of the APA's study, people used Twitter to confess their anxiety about the possibility of encountering an active shooter. Some said they didn't feel safe anywhere, and they specifically prepare to face active shooters before leaving the house. Others sought therapy to help with the anxiety or clarified that they left crowded places after the fear got too intense.

For FMs, these findings mean that even if they have active shooter procedures in place, they may notice reduced attendance at some events. Moreover, they may see other effects on their bottom lines due to needing to hire extra security personnel or put more measures in place to make people feel safer.

FMs should view any building or business as a potential target

Virtually any American who's asked would likely say active shooter incidents are more common now than in the past. Law enforcement officials can point to data confirming that, too. "If you look at the numbers, we're looking at an active shooter every other week in this country," said Christopher Combs an FBI special agent in San Antonio, Texas USA.

The FBI created a list of active shooter incidents in the U.S. from 2000-2018. One of its most striking aspects is the diversity of the targeted places. In the last three months of 2018, for example, active shooters came to a synagogue, motel and yoga studio, among other locations. FMs should take the "not if, but when" attitude, and active shooters should be seen as threats even when the risk seems minimal.

Businesses are starting to see active shooters as corporate risks

FMs also must stay on top of active shooter procedures to gain the confidence of stakeholders. A recent article from The Wall Street Journal profiled how companies are starting to include active shooters in their corporate disclosures. Companies commonly cite things like natural disasters when talking about the most likely risks that could affect a business.

However, brands ranging from restaurants to real estate companies are concluding they cannot and should not overlook active shooters as threats. The mindset is that if a brand experiences an active shooter event that makes its stocks drop, it can assert shareholders were warned it might happen.

Looking from the scope of FM, brands must implement procedures that make shareholders feel satisfied they have weighed the risks associated with active shooters and taken decisive steps to combat them. If that does not happen, the company may notice worsening stock performance and a growing public perception that it does not care about customer safety.

FMs don't want to give an impression of oblivion

News reports following active shooter incidents often feature insights from people who knew the suspect. Sometimes they say things like, "They kept to themselves, but were always kind to me. I'd never suspected something like this would happen." In other cases, people discuss a long history of warning signs. They might describe how the shooter had a quick temper or didn't handle stress well.

FMs do not want anyone thinking they were unaware of risks. They might do things like install more cameras, hire 24-hour security guards, or provide training to their tenants. Some workplaces explicitly ask employees to report strange behavior they see in their colleagues. They would rather opt for an abundance of caution instead of realizing too late that they overlooked something.

Then, if a FM makes a public admission about not noticing one of the warning signs, they might later find themselves a part of a lawsuit brought by loved ones of victims. It's clear why FMs should remain concerned about active shooters and the procedures necessary to prepare for them. Here are some of the ways they can get ready:

1. Have active shooter insurance

When lawsuits emerge after active shooter incidents, legal liability could fall to the landlord or business owner. Once those parties realize there is a foreseeable risk of such a crime, they must protect their tenants from danger. These so-called foreseeable risks could become apparent if an events venue has a problematic repeat customer who threatens to engage in violence, or law enforcement officials give a tip about possible danger.

Purchasers should study the terms of active shooter insurance before buying it. For example, an ideal insurance package should not have exclusions for shooting events with more than 50 or less than three casualties, or those classified as terrorism. Moreover, it is best for the insurance to include a security vulnerability assessment, crisis counseling and funeral coverage.

2. Invest in a warning system

The growing issue of active shooters created an industry of technological solutions to prepare FMs and other professionals. For example, in the same way an FM might install smoke alarms, they can now buy gunfire detectors that recognize shots fired in a room. Once a system picks up on that event, it can notify all necessary parties —from building officials to law enforcement professionals — within seconds.

Many of these warning setups can also connect to other buildings systems, such as those that lock doors or trigger alarms. The automated nature of this technology means people don't have to take time to spread the word themselves. Technology handles that necessity and could help people stay safer.

3. Know that drills alone are not enough

Some FMs make the mistake of conducting active shooter drills in isolation. The better approach is to implement them as part of a cohesive solution. Exercises can become counterproductive if they leave people feeling confused and wondering what's next.

Another reality posing challenges is that some facilities in particular states must follow laws requiring active shooter drills to take place regularly. Besides insisting that they happen, those laws don't enforce consistent practices when carrying out the exercises. That could mean some facilities excel at using drills to promote preparedness, but others only make people feel panicked.

As emphasized earlier, some individuals experience heightened anxiety and change their plans due to fears about active shooters. Enduring guided scenarios that teach them how to act in dangerous situations could make some people come away traumatized, especially if the drills are too vivid.

This does not mean FMs should avoid non-mandatory drills altogether. However, it's a reminder that they should only be one facet in a much broader strategy to get ready for an active shooter scenario.

4. Rely on expert guidance when implementing a plan

Active shooter events happen frequently enough that organizations have written standards for high-risk facilities to follow. For example, the National Fire Protection Association created a standard called NFPA 3000 to help facilities handle active shooters and other hostile events. The NFPA received that request from a local fire chief after the Pulse Nightclub shooting in Orlando, Florida USA.

FMs and active shooters did not always come up in the same sentence as often as in recent times. Now, people who oversee facilities cannot afford to ignore the risks of mass shootings. Fortunately, they do not need to start from scratch. NFPA 3000 was the first standard related to active shooters, but other professional bodies have suggestions for formulating shooter response plans.

For example, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has a dedicated page for active shooter preparedness. It highlights the Run, Hide, Fight approach, which suggests that, if an active shooter event happens, people should take steps to protect themselves in that order. Fleeing to escape the dangerous area is the best option, followed by hiding. Then, as a last resort, people can consider confronting the shooter, such as to attempt to seize the weapon.

The overall idea is FMs should not try to come up with response plans on their own. Reliable resources exist, and they can help professionals shape their active shooter safety plans.

5. Think of ways that building and site design can delay active shooters

An FM is usually not the primary decision-maker regarding choices that increase occupants' safety during active shooter events. However, that person can weigh in with feedback while communicating with people, such as architects, and discuss options for incorporating building design into active shooter preparedness.

For example, monitored entrances, bulletproof glass and extra-durable locks are all things that can slow shooters down, allowing more time for security guards or police to arrive. However, when FMs evaluate the best ways to deter active shooters, they also must stay mindful of providing enough exit routes for people to escape.

When architects rebuilt Sandy Hook Elementary School after a shooting that killed 26 people, they incorporated safety into the building. Classroom locations, escape paths and intruder visibility were addressed in the design.

6. Make active shooter training positive & relevant

As mentioned earlier, drills can sometimes make people feel less prepared for active shooter events. Thus, FMs should consider additional options for training staff members in appropriate ways that pay off. For example, training with virtual reality allows customizing the scenario to a person's building layout. Also, participants could go through interactive quizzes to help them learn.

FMs must ensure any training covers subjects that may not automatically come to mind. Reminding people to silence their phones means a vibrating gadget wouldn't give away a person's hiding place in an active shooter situation.

Planning ahead reduces the likelihood of catastrophes

Taking responsible action is part of the job description for FMs, and active shooters may define some of the choices those professionals make. Mass shootings are sadly more frequent. Those who manage facilities must stay aware of the associated threats and learn how to mitigate them.