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.

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

New Products

  • A8V MIND

    A8V MIND

    Hexagon’s Geosystems presents a portable version of its Accur8vision detection system. A rugged all-in-one solution, the A8V MIND (Mobile Intrusion Detection) is designed to provide flexible protection of critical outdoor infrastructure and objects. Hexagon’s Accur8vision is a volumetric detection system that employs LiDAR technology to safeguard entire areas. Whenever it detects movement in a specified zone, it automatically differentiates a threat from a nonthreat, and immediately notifies security staff if necessary. Person detection is carried out within a radius of 80 meters from this device. Connected remotely via a portable computer device, it enables remote surveillance and does not depend on security staff patrolling the area.

  • PE80 Series

    PE80 Series by SARGENT / ED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin

    ASSA ABLOY, a global leader in access solutions, has announced the launch of two next generation exit devices from long-standing leaders in the premium exit device market: the PE80 Series by SARGENT and the PED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin. These new exit devices boast industry-first features that are specifically designed to provide enhanced safety, security and convenience, setting new standards for exit solutions. The SARGENT PE80 and Corbin Russwin PED4000/PED5000 Series exit devices are engineered to meet the ever-evolving needs of modern buildings. Featuring the high strength, security and durability that ASSA ABLOY is known for, the new exit devices deliver several innovative, industry-first features in addition to elegant design finishes for every opening.

  • ResponderLink

    ResponderLink

    Shooter Detection Systems (SDS), an Alarm.com company and a global leader in gunshot detection solutions, has introduced ResponderLink, a groundbreaking new 911 notification service for gunshot events. ResponderLink completes the circle from detection to 911 notification to first responder awareness, giving law enforcement enhanced situational intelligence they urgently need to save lives. Integrating SDS’s proven gunshot detection system with Noonlight’s SendPolice platform, ResponderLink is the first solution to automatically deliver real-time gunshot detection data to 911 call centers and first responders. When shots are detected, the 911 dispatching center, also known as the Public Safety Answering Point or PSAP, is contacted based on the gunfire location, enabling faster initiation of life-saving emergency protocols.