Staff trains to evade workplace shooter

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - A training program to prepare Bernalillo County employees for workplace violence is set to expand, largely because of the deadly shooting rampage at the Emcore building in southeast Albuquerque Monday.

“I’ve had a lot of interest from other departments that are now requesting the training,” said Public Works Surety Coordinator Shannon Massey, who is assigned to the department’s emergency preparedness program.

Massey started training hundreds of public works employees late last year at the suggestion of federal safety officials.

“Based on recommendations from Homeland Security, we decided to do an active-shooter course,” Massey told KRQE News 13.

The training includes classroom-type lectures and group exercises with county employees preparing how to respond if an armed shooter starts firing a weapon in the workplace.

“If you’re in a position where you can get out, that is your best chance of survival,” Massey said.

If workers are not able to escape a violent situation, the next best thing is to hide in the safest place possible, and find ways to keep the shooter away like moving furniture to block office doors, and keeping the doors locked.

Workers should try to call 911 as soon as possible.

“Shannon taught us that when you hear the gunshot the person may be running toward you,” said Kim McKibben, director of the county’s Solid Waste Division.

“As you’re running, you should be zigzagging,” McKibben said. “If somebody’s trying to shoot you, you can zigzag so they don’t have an easy target.”

McKibben is one of more than 300 employees trained so far.

Massey has also trained employees in the county manager’s office. She’s prepared to expand her training to other county departments soon.

“I have a meeting actually on Friday morning to have that discussion,” Massey said.

Monday’s shooting at Emcore is sparking new interest in the program, and reminding those who’ve already been trained that workplace violence can happen anywhere.

“There’s tension in workplaces everywhere,” McKibben said. “It’s very sad. It’s very sad that you have to think about that.”