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Active shooter analyst educates Airmen, first responders

Maj. Tyler Stark, left, 333rd Fighter Squadron assistant director of operations, and Dr. Mike Clumpner, right, President and Chief Executive of Threat Suppression Inc., pose for a photo before an active shooter seminar June 6, 2019, at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina. Both Stark and Clumpner exchanged information on the Columbine shooting from 1999. Stark was a high school student during the tragedy. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Miranda A. Loera)

Dr. Mike Clumpner, President and Chief Executive of Threat Suppression Inc., held multiple seminars June 6, 2019, at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina. Clumpner focused on active shooter situations and preparation techniques for first responders. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Miranda A. Loera)

SEYMOUR JOHNSON Air Force BASE, N.C. --

Readiness remains a top priority for military leaders. Training exercises are key components to preparing Airmen for contingency operations both at home station and abroad. 

 

Leaders are discussing the frequency in active shooters and how to deal with them. Training to prepare Airmen for this situation has become a necessary adjustment to maintain the safety and welfare of personnel and their families. 

 

Dr. Mike Clumpner, President and Chief Executive of Threat Suppression Inc., visited the base June 6, to discuss statistics, preparations and integrated active shooter response. 

 

Clumpner taught three seminars while at Seymour Johnson. His initial briefing, explains a man’s hysteria, uninjured victim care and support, creation of family reunification centers and more. Additionally, he focused the many facets of active shooter responses, including the history of active shooters, the evolution of mass shootings and the types of active shooters motives. Clumpner also analyzed many major active shooter incidents including the Columbine shooting.

 

Maj. Tyler Stark, 333rd Fighter Squadron assistant director of operations, was present during the active shooting at Columbine High School, and was able to attend a seminar and meet Clumpner. 

 

“During the attacks, I was sitting in the cafeteria when we heard gunshots,” said Stark. “Everyone started to panic and head for the exit. We were crowded, trying to push each other to get out so I decided to go find another exit, that’s when I was in view of Eric Harris, one of the gunmen.”

 

Stark further explains how being face-to-face with the shooter and even experiencing this event has made him more aware of certain situations. He also hopes people gain awareness from Clumpner’s seminars and better prepare themselves for any situation that may arise.


“Hopefully it will just make them more aware, more analytical of their world around them,” said Stark. “When they find themselves in a situation, they at least give it the three to five seconds thought of ‘Hey when I walk in this mall, if something were to happen, where would I go?’.

 

 Stark emphasized the importance of preparation and knowing your surroundings, and not dismissing the possibility of finding yourself in an active shooter situation. 


“I think, especially in this day and age of recent active shooter activity, it's become more of an emphasis item with exercises and training,” said Stark. “It's one of those situations I think most people think they know is a threat, but they think it'll never happen to them and chances are it probably won't happen to them, but it happens, on a far too often basis in this country.”

 

Clumpner closed his seminar by speaking on the evolution of mass violence attacks. Between drones, to biological chemical warfare, and how complex the active shooter attacks are becoming.

 

“These presentations are all based off facts,” said Clumpner. “It's all based on events that have actually happened. We need to be watching what's going on because any one of those sentinel events, no matter where they happen, can be deadly. Being ready and proactive can be the difference in any situation.”

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