Merced, California
Approximately 20 school bus drivers in the Los Banos Unified School District were trained by law enforcement on how to respond to a gunman attacking their bus. The training was done by the Mercer County Sheriff's Department. The training was reportedly designed to give the bus drivers "hands-on, practical skills for dealing with a gunman on a bus."
"We go over mentality of active shooters. We give statistics of past
incidents, the do's and the don'ts. We give strategies for survival and
basically we go over scenarios," said a department spokesman.
The Transportation Director said, "We're not in a classroom, we're in a bus, I think it all applies. The
same thing that could happen in the classroom could happen on a bus."
The spokesperson added, "Eventually, our goal is for all districts to have a template and the
know-how to preserve life in dealing with active shooters."
Yesterday I blogged about the furor over a driver who witnessed a beating on his bus. Yesterday's blog, and today's story exemplify the problem facing education today. Educators.
I have been an educator for 25 years, and I have the utmost respect for for my fellow educators for the dedication, professionalism, and caring they show everyday. However, as a former Infantry Drill Sergeant and Infantry platoon leader, they are not the most tactically proficient people. The same mindset that allows them to develop rapport with their students and care deeply enough to spend long hours teaching and grading papers is at odds with the mindset needed to face interpersonal violence and function.
In Staying Alive, a book I co-authored with Mike Dorn and Sonayia Shepherd, we talk about how to develop that mindset. We talk about the importance of training, including scenario training. However, it has to be realistic. Active Shooter incidents are very rare. Active Shooter incidents on school buses are even more rare. The various techniques for remaining calm under stress are critical, as is the setting in which these techniques are taught.
In this type of setting the people who are being taught, with no tactical background, will remember the skills learned in the context of an Active Shooter. Thus a similar but markedly different scenario, such as a student holding a gun to his own head, will most likely spark a tactical response not suited to the scenario. Such a reaction may spark a more violent reaction than intended, or wanted.
Active Shooter training sounds 'sexy', but is a very small subset of school violence. As a precursor to further training, training like this can be great. As a way to train people to react in all crises, it's not so good.
School Safety Shield
Non en Meus Vigilo!
Showing posts with label interpersonal violence. Show all posts
Showing posts with label interpersonal violence. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
Monday, August 5, 2013
Some thoughts before passing judgement
Pinellas County, Florida
"School Bus Driver Stood by During Beating," screams the headline. A 13-year old boy is savagely attacked on the bus by three older boys, right behind the bus driver. They kick and punch as the driver, calling dispatch on his radio, stands by and watches helplessly. The victim ended up with two black eyes and a broken arm.
The driver, John Moody, is 64 years old. He followed his district's policy by radioing dispatch. Policy says he can then intervene, if he felt safe. Three very violent teens against a 64-year old man? I wouldn't feel safe.
It is easy to sit in the comfort of our homes and judge a man entrusted to get kids to and from school safely. We didn't have to face Grossman's "ultimate phobia", interpersonal violence. I was an Infantry Drill Sergeant in the US Army. I taught basic hand-to-hand combat to soldiers. Yet even I would pause at taking on three young thugs. In my prime, I wouldn't have hesitated. I was secure in my abilities, and in my physical prowess. Not so much now.
Nearing 50, I have had multiple abdominal surgeries for Crohn's Disease leaving me with little muscle left, and only thin nylon mesh keeping my innards from spilling out. I have an aortic aneurysm that inches closer to popping every month. A solid blow to my chest may rupture it, killing me. My spine, after years of helmets, rucksacks and lots and lots of abuse, is failing. I've already had one fusion surgery. More is in my future as I have deteriorating disk disease and osteo-arthritis. My spirit is very willing, but my flesh is weak, and getting weaker year by year.
If I were driving the bus, what would I have done? I wouldn't have taken three young men on. Maybe I would have thrown myself over the victim and tried to absorb the punishment meant for him, and possibly have died in the process. Who then would care for the rest of the children on the bus?
What is the solution? I would rather address this issue before it gets to the life-or-death decision point. There is training that can be provided so that adults can recognize impending violence. Early intervention can possibly prevent an assault. As they say, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
In May of 2014, Staying Alive, a book I co-authored with the Safe Havens, International team, can provide you with the means of being able to see the signs of impending violence, and possibly head off assaults before they occur.
There were two victims in this tragic story. The boy with the physical and emotional injuries from his savage beating, and the driver, who watched, helpless, as the boy for who he was responsible was injured before his very eyes. He suffers symptoms of PTSD, and retired from driving two weeks after the assault.
Before you judge Moody, obtain a CDL, become a driver of a school bus, and become responsible for up to 75 children in a metal tube that travels on the road at speeds of up to 55mph. Then tell me what experience you have had in confronting personal aggression. Then, I might listen to your judgement.
Maybe.
"School Bus Driver Stood by During Beating," screams the headline. A 13-year old boy is savagely attacked on the bus by three older boys, right behind the bus driver. They kick and punch as the driver, calling dispatch on his radio, stands by and watches helplessly. The victim ended up with two black eyes and a broken arm.
The driver, John Moody, is 64 years old. He followed his district's policy by radioing dispatch. Policy says he can then intervene, if he felt safe. Three very violent teens against a 64-year old man? I wouldn't feel safe.
It is easy to sit in the comfort of our homes and judge a man entrusted to get kids to and from school safely. We didn't have to face Grossman's "ultimate phobia", interpersonal violence. I was an Infantry Drill Sergeant in the US Army. I taught basic hand-to-hand combat to soldiers. Yet even I would pause at taking on three young thugs. In my prime, I wouldn't have hesitated. I was secure in my abilities, and in my physical prowess. Not so much now.
Nearing 50, I have had multiple abdominal surgeries for Crohn's Disease leaving me with little muscle left, and only thin nylon mesh keeping my innards from spilling out. I have an aortic aneurysm that inches closer to popping every month. A solid blow to my chest may rupture it, killing me. My spine, after years of helmets, rucksacks and lots and lots of abuse, is failing. I've already had one fusion surgery. More is in my future as I have deteriorating disk disease and osteo-arthritis. My spirit is very willing, but my flesh is weak, and getting weaker year by year.
If I were driving the bus, what would I have done? I wouldn't have taken three young men on. Maybe I would have thrown myself over the victim and tried to absorb the punishment meant for him, and possibly have died in the process. Who then would care for the rest of the children on the bus?
What is the solution? I would rather address this issue before it gets to the life-or-death decision point. There is training that can be provided so that adults can recognize impending violence. Early intervention can possibly prevent an assault. As they say, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
In May of 2014, Staying Alive, a book I co-authored with the Safe Havens, International team, can provide you with the means of being able to see the signs of impending violence, and possibly head off assaults before they occur.
There were two victims in this tragic story. The boy with the physical and emotional injuries from his savage beating, and the driver, who watched, helpless, as the boy for who he was responsible was injured before his very eyes. He suffers symptoms of PTSD, and retired from driving two weeks after the assault.
Before you judge Moody, obtain a CDL, become a driver of a school bus, and become responsible for up to 75 children in a metal tube that travels on the road at speeds of up to 55mph. Then tell me what experience you have had in confronting personal aggression. Then, I might listen to your judgement.
Maybe.
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