On Wednesday, September 18, the Automatic Firm Alarm Association (AFAA) PA will host fire, life safety and security expert Tom Parrish at the Delaware County Emergency Services Training Center where he will present NFPA 3000, Standard for an Active Shooter / Hostile Event Response ASHER Program. The training event will run from 12:00 PM – 2:30 PM.
Parrish will introduce the ASHER Program document and highlight areas within building systems which must be considered prior to an active shooter scenario. In addition, he will review important code changes which have occurred, based on increased NFPA 3000 awareness.
Parrish is the Vice President of Telgian Corporation, a worldwide fire, life safety and security firm. He is uniquely qualified to present NFPA 3000 and has more than 25 years of experience in fire protection and emergency response. Parrish has held positions with municipal fire, law enforcement and emergency medical services, and in private industry emergency system design and installation programs. He also serves on several National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) committees, and has presented NFPA 3000 to groups across the US. In 2018, Parrish represented the AFAA at the NFPA 3000 Meeting in New Orleans to review NFPA 3000 Public Inputs and develop revisions.
NFPA 3000, Standard for an Active Shooter / Hostile Event Response ASHER Program
The ASHER Program is a standard developed by the NFPA in response to growing number of active shooter events throughout the United States. This standard is not only essential, but also comprehensive, as it addresses the many and varied aspects of the process including:
* identifying hazards,
* assessing vulnerability,
* planning,
* resource management,
* incident management at a command level,
* competencies for first responders, and
* recovery.
In the years between 2000 and 2018, the FBI counted 277 active shooter incidents. 2017 alone saw 30 incidents, resulting in 729 people wounded or killed – the highest figures during the period.
Click here for the FBI’s report on active shooter incidents
NFPA 3000, Standard for an Active Shooter / Hostile Event Response ASHER Program details how fire departments and EMS agencies can aid in the preparation, response, mitigation and recovery of a situation involving a mass shooting or other mass casualty incident. The ASHER document uses established systems and practices such as the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and the Incident Command System (ICS), including Unified Command.
“With these events occurring all over the world it is imperative that all responders and those who may be needed to support an incident are properly prepared,” says Parrish.
This document is beneficial, not only to fire and EMS agencies, but also to law enforcement, public health agencies and other municipal departments that may respond to such catastrophic events. NFPA 3000 allows individuals outside of fire and EMS to know and understand how those first responders will operate at the scene of an active shooting. This document also opens lines of communications before, during and after events and outlines roles and responsibilities. The result is less likelihood of duplication of effort in chaotic environments.
Those interested in attending should RSVP by September 16, 2019. Click here or email PAAFAA1@gmail.com. For AFAA PA members, the cost is included in dues, and each member company may bring along one extra attendee at no cost. Beyond two guests, the charge will be $15.00 per attendee. To learn more about this event, please visit AFAA PA.
About Telgian
Since 1985, Telgian has served as a trusted partner to clients around the globe, providing innovative fire, security, life safety consulting and engineering/design services, keeping facilities safe, compliant and on budget. Headquartered in Phoenix, AZ with regional offices across the nation, Telgian provides service throughout the US and abroad. We offer our clients a comprehensive, single-source solution for all of their fire protection, security and life safety needs.