What to Do If There’s an Active Shooter Nearby

Whether it’s an incident like Wednesday’s shooting in San Bernardino, Calif., or you are in the checkout line at the mall or drafting an email in your cubicle – what would you do if you heard gun shots and realized an active shooter was nearby? Just like in any other emergency situation, the best thing you can do is to be prepared with information on what to do next. Take a few minutes to review the three options that will help you to quickly determine how to protect yourself.
 

Run

If there is an escape route, attempt to evacuate.
Leave your belongings behind.
Follow instructions of responding emergency personnel. 

Hide

Hide in an area out of the active shooter’s view.
Block entry to your hiding place and lock the doors.
Send a text message to 9-1-1 if you’re able, but ensure your safety first. 

Fight

As a last resort and only when life is in imminent danger.
Attempt to incapacitate the active shooter.
Act with physical aggression and throw items at the active shooter. 

Information to Provide to 9-1-1

Whether you text or call, here’s what you should provide to 911:
Location of the active shooter.
Number of shooters.
Physical description of shooters.
Number and type of weapons shooter has.
Number of potential victims at location.

When You Are in a Safe Place

When public safety personnel arrives, you should:
Remain calm and follow instructions.
Raise hands and spread fingers.
Keep hands visible at all times.
Avoid making quick movements toward officers such as attempting to hold on to them for safety.
Avoid pointing, screaming and/or yelling.

Record Breaking 2015 'Fill The Boot' by Fairfax County

After five days of multiple fires, heat, humidity, unavoidable training and testing, the resiliency of Fairfax County has once again shown through! With the help of DPSC and the Fire Marshals Office, A-shift pushed us not only past Dallas, Texas, who was previously thought to be number one in the nation for 2015 with a very respectable $577,000 collected, but also past the all time record of $602,580 that we set just two years ago.

With that, we proudly announce the final total for the 2015 Fairfax County Fill The Boot Campaign is a staggering $615,945.44 collected with 100% benefiting the Greater Washington MDA and the 3,000+ families with the 43 neuromuscular diseases that they service.

Because of the money that you collected, raised and donated this campaign:

  • A full camp of 60 kids is able to enjoy a week with friends who look like them and have the same abilities as them. As they are having the time of their life at camp, their families can finally sleep through the night or go out without having to equip themselves for every emergency or contingency possible.
  • Those same 60 kids will receive necessary vaccines to keep them healthy, because a bug that a typical body would just fight off, can lead to pneumonia and severe complications in someone with neuromuscular disease.
    • Those same 60 kids will benefit from 145 hours of research so that someday cures to their particular neuromuscular diseases can be found and they can lead full, typical lives free of the disabilities that govern their lives.

    That, my friends, is the difference that you made this weekend. Just ask your friends, "What did you do this Labor Day Weekend?" (with apologies to Capital One!)

    We'd like to take this opportunity to thank all of the groups and individuals who made this campaign and huge victory possible: President Niemiec and Local 2068, Fire Chief Bowers and the Fairfax County Fire & Rescue Department, President Carruthers and FOP Lodge 77, Colonel Roessler and the Fairfax County Police Department, Director Souder and the Fairfax County Department of Public Safety Communications, Chief Morrison and the Volunteer Canteens, President McIntosh and the Fairfax County Fire & Rescue Retirement Association, Subway, Paul Davis Restoration, SunTrust Bank & the families, spouses and friends that helped out this weekend. Without all of those listed, this campaign would have never gotten off the ground.

    On behalf of Director Janice Reardon from Greater Washington MDA and the family of our own MDA Goodwill Ambassador Joshua Jurack, we would like to thank everyone for their dedication to the cause.

    Fairfax County Urban Search & Rescue Team Nepal Update - May 2

    Task Force members performed damage assessments today throughout their assigned sector. They also performed secondary searches at several collapse sites. Task Force engineers were tasked with performing damage assessments on various bridges throughout the city. This task was very helpful in assisting city officials develop plans to repair those bridges that were damaged and deemed unsafe to use.

    Throughout the day various search assignments were received and conducted with no additional survivors found. Task Force leaders conducted their nightly briefing where they were briefed on activities for tomorrow.

    Task Force members also took one brief moment out of their day to send a get well photo for Fresno Fire Department Captain Pete Dern. Many have seen the horrific video of Captain Pete Dern falling through the roof at a house fire. Captain Dern was leading his crew across the roof to provide ventilation for interior crews when the roof failed causing Captain Dern to fall straight into the fire. The 49 year old Captain suffered second and third degree burns on about 65% of his body. He remains in critical condition with a long road to recovery, expected to receive 14 to 15 more surgeries in the several months to come.

    The Fresno City Fire Fighters - IAFF Local 753 have set-up a fund drive for Pete on their site at www.fresnofirefighters.net. In addition there has been a request that fire fighters send a photo with your crew and a simple note to Captain Dern showing your support. This will no doubt offer inspiration and motivation by helping him stay focused and assist with his recovery.

    Continued thoughts and prayers to Captain Dern and his family.

    Fauquier Firefighters’ open letter to Board of Supervisors

    July 22, 2015 - Honorable members of the Fauquier County Board of Supervisors,The Fauquier County Professional Firefighters express our deepest concernregarding the injuries firefighters suffered at a structure fire on Sunday, July 19. Our profession is inherently dangerous and we remain passionate about constantly improvingour system and ourselves to provide the safest environment possible. We have reachedout to the Board of Supervisors, the Department of Fire Rescue and EmergencyManagement (DFREM), and the Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association (VRFA) onnumerous occasions of the past few years. In these requests, we have asked for anincrease in staffing, 24 hour command staff, and a unified rank structure. While weunderstand there are economic, financial, and higher prioritized variables out of anyone’s control, we fear that the potential for further injuries may increase without immediateaction. We firmly believe this is an opportunity for all parties to develop a unifiedsolution and eradicate at least some risk to our first responders.

    Over the past 5 years, every volunteer chief in Fauquier County has requestedstaffing to supplement the volunteers. A majority of these requests have been denied ordelayed indefinitely. We currently operate with two career personnel in a station, and attimes, respond to working fire incidents with just those two on fire apparatus when thenational standard is a minimum of 3 per responding piece. Due to the nature of thevolunteer system, there are times when volunteers are unable to respond, resulting in anunderstaffed incident. The volunteer chiefs submitted a 5 year staffing plan calling for anincrease in staffing, within two years the plan was abandoned by the board. The lack ofcommand supervision in our current staffing situation constantly leads to a breakdown inthe chain of command during night and weekend hours. The request has been made toimplement additional battalion chiefs to fill this void, a request that has not been filled.Sufficient staffing directly effects responder safety, and upon the conclusion of theinvestigation of this incident, we encourage every board member to thoroughly evaluatehow emergency responses are staffed and what could be changed to minimize risks.

    In recent months, we have made requests that a unified rank structure bedeveloped and implemented. This rank structure would align the volunteer and careerresponders based on certification level and experience. As of right now, every volunteerorganization requires different standards for members and officers than the qualifications career personnel need. A solid minimum standard would provide a concreteunderstanding of the capabilities of every member within the fire and rescue system. Weencourage a close look at the benefits of such an action and the health and safety risksthat would be alleviated if implemented.

    In light of the recent injuries the firefighters suffered, the reality of the hazardsour jobs entail as well as the obvious risks our system and its shortcomings present, wefeel compelled to publicly request that the aforementioned issues be evaluatedmeticulously. With safety concerns higher than ever, we respectfully request the board preliminary evaluate serious risks and immediately put measures in place to resolve them prior to the conclusion of the extension investigation. Countless concerns and requestshave been made in the past but little action has been made to mitigate these issues. Ourlocal is available to discuss this with DFREM, the Board of Supervisors, and the VFRA.Respectfully,

    Sam Miller, 
    President
    Fauquier County Professional Firefighters - IAFF Local 3762 
    This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
    (540) 327-3768

    What FY2016 Budget Means to Us

    The Board of Supervisors approved and adopted the FY2016 Fairfax County Budget Tuesday by a majority vote of 7 to 3. Supervisors Frey (R) Sully District, Herrity (R) Springfield District, and Smyth (D) Providence District, voted against the FY2016 Budget.

    Here’s a recap of what the adoption of this budget means to our membership –

    1. The continuation of merit increments and longevity steps for all public-safety employees on their anniversary dates starting July 1, 2015. This is huge for the membership!

    2. A 1.1% MRA for all public safety personnel and general county employees effective July 1, 2015. This is an increase from the proposed .84% MRA.

    3. $1.26M to fund the 31 SAFER Positions when federal grants expire. 8 of the 14 ladder trucks will continue to have 4-person staffing.

    4. The FY 2016 Proposed Budget includes an $8.57M increase for fiduciary requirements associated with the county’s retirement systems and as a modest investment to strengthen our funding ratios. The additional money increases amortization of unfunded liability from 93% to 95%. If you recall, the corridor for our retirement systems is 90 to 120%. Because of YOUR UNION’s strong work is why we have a stable retirement plan and why the funding ratio is nearing 90%.

    5. $3.76M to fund Health Insurance and Other Benefits – this includes an assumption of 10% health insurance premium increases in January 2016.

    6. The real estate tax rate will remain at $1.09 per $100 assessed and home values have increased, the average homeowner will pay an additional $185 in taxes effective FY2016.

    In summary, this means that Uniformed FRD personnel and FRD Apparatus Mechanics (F-Scale) will receive a minimum pay-raise of 1.1% and over 50% of those members will receive a merit or longevity step for an additional 5% pay-raise. DPSC members will receive a minimum of 1.1% pay-raise with over 83% of the members receiving a merit or longevity step for an additional 5% pay-raise. Our civilian members in Fire Prevention will receive a 1.1% pay-raise plus the implementation of the “New” General Employee Pay Plan.

    An area that was not addressed in this budget adoption was the further reduction of the Social Security Disability Off-Set. I have and will continue to go on record that this union and this union leadership has committed and pledged to eliminate this off-set. I share in your disappointment and frustration and the Executive Board and I will continue working with the Board of Supervisors to eliminate the Off-Set. Additionally, the 2 year hold in Step 8 was not addressed in the FY2016 Budget Adoption.

    However, there is mention of both the Off-Set and Step 8 in Budget Guidance for FY2016 and FY2017 stating the following:

    “Staff should also provide analysis regarding additional adjustments to the Social Security Offset for Service-Connected Disability Retirement. Additionally, the Board directs staff to examine the two-year hold at Step 8 in all public safety plans to determine whether removal of the hold would allow plans to be more competitive with peer jurisdictions.”

    So what does all this mean – the Offset and the 2-year hold in Step 8 continue to be on the radar of the Board of Supervisors.

    As it relates to our retired members, retirees will receive a .2% COLA, effective July 1, 2015. As a reminder, retirees COLAs are funded from the retirement fund – not the general fund – this is in accordance with County Code. Those retired members affected by the Service-Connected Social Security Disability Off-Set, once again your Union remains committed to eliminating the final 15%. The Leadership of Local 2068 remains committed to all members and their families of our Union.

    On behalf of Secretary/Treasurer Ron Kuley, Vice President Colin Flanigan, and the entire Executive Board, we want to thank you for your continued support and confidence in advancing your Union Forward.

    A special Thank You is in order to mention Fire Chief Richie Bowers and his staff for their unwavering collaboration with the Local throughout the budget process. Excellent Teamwork by all!

    Remember, the FY2016 County Budget commences July 1, 2015.

    Congratulations Local 2068!

    John R. Niemiec, President


    More Articles ...

    1. Sen Ted Cruz Without Applause at IAFF Presidential Forum
    2. The Danger of Cutting Corners
    3. Seven Occupants of Three Homes Displaced by Thursday Fire
    4. Helmet Cam Captures Fairfax County Fire Fighters Rescue Civilian From Third Floor

    Executive Board Reports

    Page 2 of 3