Every active shooter event is a devastating occurrence. Incidents can occur anywhere people gather, and has a ripple effect that extends beyond the victims to their families, communities and around the nation.

The shootings in El Paso, Texas; Dayton, Ohio; and Gilroy, California, serve as reminders to all that we should stay alert to the possibility of an active shooter incident while remaining hopeful that such an event will never strike.

With a focus on prevention, preparedness and protection, UT Police reminds the community to remain vigilant to behaviors or situations that could pose a danger to our community and our institutions.

We encourage the community to be knowledgeable of signs that someone is in need of help, such as a sudden change in behavior, harassing behavior, or blaming others for their problems. Too frequently after a tragedy, people who know the suspect will tell someone their plans or discuss their plans online.

Knowing these signs and taking action by informing authorities could prevent a catastrophic incident. Contact your institution’s Behavioral Intervention Team at 713-792-STOP.

MD Anderson and UTHealth have set in place a comprehensive, broad-based approach to workplace violence, an acute issue to health care workers. A 2016 report from the Government Accountability Office indicated workers in health care facilities experience substantially higher estimated rates of injury than workers in other fields.

UT Police routinely offers Active Shooter Prevention and Response safety classes that focuses on providing critical guidance on how to recognize and survive an active shooter situation. The department also offers Verbal Defense and Influence training to equip our community with tools to de-escalate tense situations or prevent interactions from escalating.

The Crisis Prevention Institute’s (CPI) Nonviolent Crisis Intervention training is also available, which teaches nurses strategies that can safely defuse anxious, hostile or violent behaviors at the earliest possible stage.

Equipped with the knowledge to prevent a volatile situation and by reporting suspicious behavior, we can continue to make our workplace one of the safest in the Texas Medical Center.

The next Active Shooter Prevention and Response safety class will take place at noon on Thursday, Sept. 5, in MD Anderson’s Pickens Tower, third floor, rooms 2 and 7. Another class takes place at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 11, at the UTHealth School of Dentistry, room SOD4320. Registration is available through MD Anderson’s Education Center and Learn2Succeed platforms.

UT Police is securing additional dates in August for Active Shooter Prevention and Response. Visit our website or subscribe to our community distribution list to receive updates when the additional classes are announced.

Those unable to attend an in-person Active Shooter Prevention and Response safety class may wish to request the class for their department or workgroup by completing a safety class request online or by contacting UT Police Community Outreach at 713-563-7794 or utphoutreach@mdanderson.org.

Online active shooter safety classes are available through the Education Center titled “Hostile Intruder Awareness” and Learn2Suceed titled “Shots Fired Guidance for Healthcare”.

UT Police also offers Stop the Bleed, a class that teaches proper bleeding control techniques, including how to use your hands, dressings, and tourniquets. The ability to stop massive bleeding from any cause, but particularly from an active shooter or explosive event where a delayed response can result in the loss of life, can help save lives during a critical incident prior, during and after first responders arrive.

UT Police classes are open to all MD Anderson and UTHealth students and employees. A complete list of upcoming classes or to request any of our safety classes, complete an online request or visit the Campus Safety section of our website.

For more information, contact UT Police Community Outreach at 713-563-7794 or utphoutreach@mdanderson.org.