In response to the rise in active shooter events, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is fast-tracking NFPA 3000, Standard for Preparedness and Response to Active Shooter and/or Hostile Events. NFPA expects the standard, which is currently open for public comment until February 23, will be available for use as early as April 2018 as a provisional standard.
This is only the second time in 121 years that the organization has authorized a provisional standard, says the organization. This shortening of the normal standards process has been taken in order to address first responder safety, says NFPA. However, the standard's stakeholders also include commercial and municipal facilities of all types, law enforcement, emergency management entities, and municipal leaders, among others.
NFPA 3000 establishes preparedness, response and recovery benchmarks with a focus on integrated protocol, and civilian and responder safety. The standard will provide guidance for organizing, managing, and sustaining an active preparedness and response program so that the risk, effect, and impact of hostile events can be reduced, says NFPA.
In particular, NFPA 3000 addresses risk assessment, planning, resource management, organizational deployment, incident management, facility readiness, finance, communications, competencies for law enforcement, competencies for fire and EMS, personal protective equipment, training, community education, information sharing, readiness of receiving hospitals, and recovery.
After the 2016 Pulse Nightclub terrorist attack in Orlando, a new NFPA technical committee was formed and public comments gathered. Development for NFPA 3000 began in mid-June 2017.
This Quick Read was submitted by Naomi Millán, senior editor, Building Operating Management.
