Utah Synagogue Trains for Active Shooter Following Pittsburgh Mass Shooting

Utah Synagogue Trains for Active Shooter Following Pittsburgh Mass Shooting

Congregants at the largest Jewish synagogue in Utah participate in active shooter training.

  • By Sydny Shepard
  • Dec 11, 2018

As a direct result of the mass shooting that occurred at a Pittsburgh synagogue on Oct. 27, Jewish communities around the country are looking for ways to better secure their facilities and educate their congregants on how to face an active shooter situation. 

For instance, Utah's largest Jewish synagogue, Congregation Kol Ami, hosted a "Run, Hide, Fight" in order to train members of the synagogue on how to respond if an active shooter opened fire in the facility. 

Kol Ami was spurred to organize the active shooter training when they heard the news of the 11 deaths in Pittsburgh. The incident was the deadliest assault on Jews in United States history and sparked increased security, patrols and training in Jewish synagogues, schools and other facilities. 

“It is unfortunate that we must be here today for this purpose, but it is a reflection of the times that we currently live in,” said Rabbi Sam Spector, the leader of the congregation, in his opening remarks at the training.

Michael Masters, the national director and chief executive officer for Secure Community Network, a nonprofit organization dedicated to homeland security initiatives to ensure the safety of Jewish institutions and communities across the United States, believes the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting was a wake-up call for many Jewish congregations.

"One of the greatest obstacles to the security of Jewish institutions is the belief that an event cannot happen, or will not happen in our own community," Masters said. "Pittsburgh showed many people that these events can happen in our own institutions, that that reality is not unimaginable."

The Kol Ami congregants worked together with two officers from the Utah Highway Patrol Training Division. They mapped out best courses of action, where to hide and assigned emergency roles in the case of an active shooter. 

In addition to the active shooter training, Kol Ami has decided to hire security guards to monitor the building. 


About the Author

Sydny Shepard is the Executive Editor of Campus Security & Life Safety.

Featured

  • Freedom of Choice

    In today's security landscape, we are witnessing a fundamental transformation in how organizations manage digital evidence. Law enforcement agencies, campus security teams, and large facility operators face increasingly complex challenges with expanding video data, tightening budget constraints and inflexible systems that limit innovation. Read Now

  • Accelerating a Pathway

    There is a new trend touting the transformational qualities of AI’s ability to deliver actionable data and predictive analysis that in many instances, seems to be a bit of an overpromise. The reality is that very few solutions in the cyber-physical security (CPS) space live up to this high expectation with the one exception being the new generation of Physical Identity and Access Management (PIAM) software – herein recategorized as PIAM+. Read Now

  • Protecting Your Zones

    It is game day. You can feel the crowd’s energy. In the parking lot. At the gate. In the stadium. On the concourse. Fans are eager to party. Food and merchandise vendors ready themselves for the rush. Read Now

  • Street Smarts

    The ongoing acceptance of AI and advanced data analytics has allowed surveillance camera technology to shift from being a tactical tool to a strategic business solution. Combining traditional surveillance technology with AI-based data-driven insights can streamline transportation systems, enhance traffic management, improve situational awareness, optimize resource allocation and streamline emergency response procedures. Read Now

  • Midtown Manhattan Shooting Kills 4, Including NYPD Officer

    Four people were killed, including a NYPD officer, in a midtown Manhattan shooting on Monday. That’s according to CNN. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • Mobile Safe Shield

    Mobile Safe Shield

    SafeWood Designs, Inc., a manufacturer of patented bullet resistant products, is excited to announce the launch of the Mobile Safe Shield. The Mobile Safe Shield is a moveable bullet resistant shield that provides protection in the event of an assailant and supplies cover in the event of an active shooter. With a heavy-duty steel frame, quality castor wheels, and bullet resistant core, the Mobile Safe Shield is a perfect addition to any guard station, security desks, courthouses, police stations, schools, office spaces and more. The Mobile Safe Shield is incredibly customizable. Bullet resistant materials are available in UL 752 Levels 1 through 8 and include glass, white board, tack board, veneer, and plastic laminate. Flexibility in bullet resistant materials allows for the Mobile Safe Shield to blend more with current interior décor for a seamless design aesthetic. Optional custom paint colors are also available for the steel frame.

  • HD2055 Modular Barricade

    Delta Scientific’s electric HD2055 modular shallow foundation barricade is tested to ASTM M50/P1 with negative penetration from the vehicle upon impact. With a shallow foundation of only 24 inches, the HD2055 can be installed without worrying about buried power lines and other below grade obstructions. The modular make-up of the barrier also allows you to cover wider roadways by adding additional modules to the system. The HD2055 boasts an Emergency Fast Operation of 1.5 seconds giving the guard ample time to deploy under a high threat situation.

  • Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden Door Controls has relaunched its CV-7600 card readers in response to growing market demand for a more secure alternative to standard proximity credentials that can be easily cloned. CV-7600 readers support MIFARE DESFire EV1 & EV2 encryption technology credentials, making them virtually clone-proof and highly secure.