Execution of Security Protocols Prevents Tragedy at Hospital

Execution of Security Protocols Prevents Tragedy at Hospital

The gunman was the only person injured and no shots were fired inside the hospital.

Bakersfield Heart Hospital in Bakersfield, Calif., praised its staff for quick execution of their security protocols after a man entered the campus with a gun Friday night. The gunman was the only person injured and no shots were fired inside the hospital.

The incident took place late Friday afternoon when a man shot through a glass door on the south side of the hospital. The man entered the hospital before walking down hallways, entering the administration area and finally exiting through the same door he used to enter, a hospital spokeswoman said.

According to surveillance video from the hospital, an unnamed security guard spoke with a hospital housekeeper to inform her of a man in the parking lot.

"She and the security guard spoke to him and [the housekeeper] very quickly noticed that the gun was hanging from his side," Oxford said. "She came directly up to administration and notified me."

Within seconds, Oxford called a “Code Silver” – a person with a weapon – and contacted 911. The hospital was placed on lockdown and nurses moved people from the lobby into secure rooms. Police officers arrived at about 4:43 p.m. and identified and shot the gunman within a few of minutes.

"The same staff that feared for their lives and the lives of their patients quickly responded to the gunshot victim, placed him on a gurney and rushed him to the Emergency Department," the hospital said in a release. "He was then transferred to a trauma hospital for treatment."

Oxford credited her staff for their preparation and performance.

“Though our hospital is designed to be a place of healing, we conduct regular drills to prepare for events such as (Friday's) unfortunate situation," she said. "Our staff throughout the facility quickly responded to this incident by following their training to safeguard patients and visitors to the best of their ability.”

She noted that their actions helped prevent a worse outcome.

"We commend our physicians, nurses and staff for their extraordinary response to the events that unfolded,” Oxford said. “The countless acts of heroism in risking their own lives to keep our patients safe and secure were selfless and courageous.”

 

About the Author

Jessica Davis is the Associate Content Editor for 1105 Media.

Featured

  • Gaining a Competitive Edge

    Ask most companies about their future technology plans and the answers will most likely include AI. Then ask how they plan to deploy it, and that is where the responses may start to vary. Every company has unique surveillance requirements that are based on market focus, scale, scope, risk tolerance, geographic area and, of course, budget. Those factors all play a role in deciding how to configure a surveillance system, and how to effectively implement technologies like AI. Read Now

  • 6 Ways Security Awareness Training Empowers Human Risk Management

    Organizations are realizing that their greatest vulnerability often comes from within – their own people. Human error remains a significant factor in cybersecurity breaches, making it imperative for organizations to address human risk effectively. As a result, security awareness training (SAT) has emerged as a cornerstone in this endeavor because it offers a multifaceted approach to managing human risk. Read Now

  • The Stage is Set

    The security industry spans the entire globe, with manufacturers, developers and suppliers on every continent (well, almost—sorry, Antarctica). That means when regulations pop up in one area, they often have a ripple effect that impacts the entire supply chain. Recent data privacy regulations like GDPR in Europe and CPRA in California made waves when they first went into effect, forcing businesses to change the way they approach data collection and storage to continue operating in those markets. Even highly specific regulations like the U.S.’s National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) can have international reverberations – and this growing volume of legislation has continued to affect global supply chains in a variety of different ways. Read Now

  • Access Control Technology

    As we move swiftly toward the end of 2024, the security industry is looking at the trends in play, what might be on the horizon, and how they will impact business opportunities and projections. Read Now

Featured Cybersecurity

Webinars

New Products

  • QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    The latest Qualcomm® Vision Intelligence Platform offers next-generation smart camera IoT solutions to improve safety and security across enterprises, cities and spaces. The Vision Intelligence Platform was expanded in March 2022 with the introduction of the QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC), which delivers superior artificial intelligence (AI) inferencing at the edge. 3

  • Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

    Connect ONE®

    Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation. 3

  • AC Nio

    AC Nio

    Aiphone, a leading international manufacturer of intercom, access control, and emergency communication products, has introduced the AC Nio, its access control management software, an important addition to its new line of access control solutions. 3