Mental preps to survive a mass shooting

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - The cities of Chardon, Aurora and Newtown made headlines in 2012 by devastatingly becoming synonymous with a long list of other sites where other mass killings have been committed.  

Mass shooting incidents took 84 lives across the United States during 2012. 

Among many questions surrounding such random acts of violence, one could question how it was possible for those who survived to escape death or injury.  According to Indiana’s Department of Homeland Security , successful survival can be credited to both luck and skill.

The agency’s director of emergency response and recovery, Arvin Copeland suggested everyone should practice, at least mentally, for how they would react during a mass shooting with the same repetition school children might during fire or tornado drills.

“We certainly need to discuss it,” Copeland said.  “I prefer discussing this, educating people and reminding people to be aware rather than avoiding [the topic] and not having people prepared for situations.”

In August 2012, the Department of Homeland Security in Houston, Texas released a controversial instructional video for surviving an active shooting incident through the Ready Houston initiative.

The video titled, “Run Hide Fight” gives viewers tips and options of behavior when faced with an active shooter in an office building environment.

Indiana’s agency has its own curriculum it suggests to follow during crisis.

In a NewsChannel 15 special report, Drew Blair reports on what safety steps Copeland recommends people take in order survive.

“Survival Blueprint” airs Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. on WANE-TV.