Active shooter exercise tests response to mass casualty event Published June 15, 2011 By Susan Griggs 81st Training Wing Pubilc Affairs KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Keesler is making final preparations for this week's active shooter exercise. Tuesday and Wednesday, Keesler personnel and visitors can expect facility lockdowns and delays at the base's gates while Air Education and Training Command tests the base's ability to respond to a mass casualty event. The urgency of correct actions with a gunman on the loose was underscored during the 2009 mass shooting at Fort Hood, Texas. Exercises are held to monitor how the base reacts to reports of such an attack. AETC describes the exercise scenario as "a dynamic situation that evolves rapidly and demands immediate response from law enforcement to terminate the lifethreatening situation. The immediate response of the first patrolmen on scene is to take aggressive action to find and stop the shooter(s). Rescue efforts will be delayed until the danger can either be mitigated or eliminated." "Team Keesler is playing this for real," said Brig. Gen. Andrew Mueller, 81st Training Wing commander. "We realize that this may be inconvenient, but we have to ensure that our people know how to respond and recover from a mass casualty event. "We're trying to alert our members and the public to the anticipated delays during the exercise," the general continued. "The lockdown phase should only be a few hours, but this is going to cause delays at our gates that could affect impact people in the urrounding community." When a lockdown occurs, position yourself in a place clear of direct fire with a view of entrance and exit routes. Lock doors and windows, barricade the access, turn off lights and make your location appear unoccupied. Monitor communications by phone, computer or radio. Use available means to contact your unit control center or chain of command with your location, status and personnel present.Don't move unless instructed to do so by authorities or you have been released. If you're in immediate danger during a shooting incident at your work center, escape from the scene or hide out. During escape, plan your route, leave belongings behind and exit with your hands visible so you won't be mistaken for the shooter. If you hide out, call 911 as soon as possible. As a last resort, take action. If you're in imminent danger, try to incapacitate or act with physical aggression, throwing items at the shooter. "It's important for people to understand that the exercise will affect all facilities on base," said Tim Coleman from public affairs, a member of Keesler's exercise evaluation team. He was an observer when Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., conducted its active shooter exercise in May to see how emergency response teams, installation agencies and individuals answered the threat. "Whether you're in a classroom, the gym, the commissary or the barber shop, when the call comes, the doors will be secured and you'll be directed to a safe location until the 'all clear' is sounded," Mr. Coleman emphasized.