The Fifth Annual Zone Crew Meeting broke all records with over 145 persons in attendance. Perhaps it was the pizza or perhaps the meeting topics.
The event was kicked off with Pizza Hut pizza in the upper concourse of the Bren Events Center . It was a cold and blustery day, but some folks braved the Berry Terrace outdoor seating when we maxed out of the indoor space. It was a great opportunity for zone crew members to mix and mingle with each other and do a little social networking.
After lunch, the meeting moved downstairs to the Koll Room where all participants were thanked for their zone crew participation with a small first aid kit. Since the Annual Meetings were started, participants have been able to supplement their own personal emergency kits with books on disaster preparedness, flashlights, whistles, and this year's first aid kit. Do you sense a theme?
A&BS AVC Wendell Brase provided opening remarks and warm thanks to everyone for participating in the Zone Crew. AVC Brase reflected back on the invaluable contributions of the similar organization at UC Santa Cruz in keeping the campus community safe after the Loma Prieta earthquake in October 1989. The services of the Zone Crew in facilitating evacuations and sheltering in place activities is recognized and appreciated by the campus leadership beginning at the top with Chancellor Drake.
The main event was a presentation developed by UCI Police Department on “The Active Shooter Scenario: Protecting yourself and those around you” Officer Ray Keith provided invaluable information to apply anywhere you may be when a shooter scenario erupts, including these simple strategies for survival:
- Get out! Escape!
- Take cover! Then look for a way to Escape!
- Hide! Then look for a way to Escape!
- Play dead! Then look for a way to Escape!
- LAST RESORT - Attack the Attacker!
Preplanning includes reviewing your work area with a critical eye to identify an Active Incident Safe Place :
- Have at least 2 exits, consider windows as an escape route
- Be able to move furniture to block the doors
- Have a telephone to call out
- If you rely on your cell phone, switch to “vibrate” so you don't alert the suspect to your location
- Have a way to notify police of your location and medical need
Sergeants Eladio Acuna and Mark Arnold demonstrated simple techniques to disarm the shooter of a handgun or rifle. Though emphasizing this is a personal decision to make and not encouraging people to take this action, the demonstrations provided a way to take action to improve the odds of success.
At the end of the meeting, interested folks were invited up front to review an array of weapons and learn the distinctive characteristics of the various types. Sgt. John Luke was on hand to answer any and all questions from the audience.
We actually ran out of time to cover all the material that was developed for this meeting. All Zone Crew members are encouraged to invite the PD out to your work location for more in depth information on this important topic.
See you all next year!!
