A mass shooting is defined as having at least four people who have been hit by gunfire.
So far this year, there have been over 200 mass shootings in the U.S.
In order to properly equip its employees, should a mass shooting occur in a hospital, Gundersen Health System (GHS) is hosting five, thirty-minute information sessions.
Known as A.L.I.C.E (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate), these brief but informative "symposiums" are led by GHS Emergency Manager Tom Wright.
"When these happen in schools, and churches, etc., everybody's saying, 'Well what do we do when it comes here?'" said Wright.
According to Wright, the current gun violence climate forces people to prepare for an active shooter emergency; it's not a matter of if, but when.
"This [session] is about things staff can do to protect themselves, protect the patients...can they actually go up against somebody, and what can they do?" said Wright.
According to Wright, the leading causes of mass shootings in hospitals are "targeted domestic violence," and "disagreements with a diagnosis."
"I ask nobody to run into harm's way...but sometimes harm's way find them."
Wright explained that he strictly teaches GHS-related sessions, however programs like A.L.I.C.E are available.
"Reach out to your local police departments and law enforcement," said Wright, "they often offer active shooter trainings as well."
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