'Avoid, Deny, Defend' Preferred Teaching For OK Active Shooter Training

We have 16 active shooter situations a year in this country. It happens in big cities, small towns and has even happened here - in Fort Gibson, a Tulsa business, and the Muskogee mall.

The FBI said because these shootings are happening more often not only do police officers need to be trained, so do citizens.

The old philosophy of shelter in place, go on lockdown or hunker under a desk is no more. Police call it the hide and hope mentality and said it's more likely to get us killed. They said having a new plan can increase our odds of staying alive.

The shooting at Columbine changed everything because police realized they can no longer take the time to call in a SWAT team, get geared up and go confront a shooter.

Most active shooter situations are over in less than five minutes; even if the police get there in two or three, a lot of people can die, so citizens need to know how to survive until help arrives.

The standard training for all police officers in Oklahoma is Avoid, Deny, Defend, or ADD.

According to Sergeant Michael Lippmann with Muskogee police, "The first step is at all costs, avoid the situation."

He said you should get out of the building and get out of the area; the minute you hear shots, move to the nearest exit.

The idea is if you're not there, you can't get shot, but too many people are in denial at first, and that denial can waste valuable time.

“As opposed to locking down and getting in your office and hiding, we want you out of the building and away," Lippmann said.

If you can't do that because the shooter is between you and the exit, then move to deny - deny them access to you. Get in an office and barricade the door.

People are often surprised they have trouble locking a door or calling 911 in these situations, that's the effect of the adrenalin.

The sergeant said, "Your heart rate will actually increase to a point where you actually freeze."

Having a plan will help you unfreeze and think your way through it. Turn off the lights, silence your phone and get ready for step three, the absolute last resort, defend.

Grab anything you can use as a weapon, and, if there's a group, assign each person a job to do in case the shooter gets into the room with you.

"You get the legs. You go take the arms. You're gonna stab him in the face until he drops the gun or gets rid of it. Somebody has to get the gun, that's the most important thing - someone has to attack the firearm," Lippmann explained.

Yes, it's dangerous and risky, but police say doing nothing is even worse.

Muskogee officers teach the training from Texas State University at San Marcos, to churches, schools and businesses for free. They said it's not about scaring people, but preparing people.

12/03/2015 Related Story: Muskogee Police Offering Free Active Shooter Training Workshops

"The best way I can put this is, 30 years ago you had fire drills and got prepared for that with fire drills and tornado drills. Unfortunately, in this day and age, this is our generation's fire drill. You have to be prepared," Lippmann said.

Nothing is foolproof, but experts say having a plan, practicing it and being ready to act increases your odds of making it out alive.