MD Active Assailant Interdisciplinary Work Group Launches Website

MARYLAND — A new website has been launched by the Maryland Active Assailant Interdisciplinary Work Group that features resources for Marylanders as to how to best prepare schools, homes, houses of worship and businesses for an active assailant incident.

The website provides practical, evidence-based direction and information and serves as a tool to identify, update and share best practices to help Maryland prevent, prepare for, respond to and recover from an unexpected attack. Some of the important topics covered include Active Shooter Preparedness for Private Citizens and includes information regarding the Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events course.

The AAIWG was established after the Washington Navy Yard shooting in September 2013. The Maryland State Police and Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems co-chair the workgroup with leadership and policy oversight provided by the Maryland Emergency Management Agency. The AAIWG involves participants from throughout the state of Maryland and the National Capital Region in all facets of active assailant prevention, preparedness and response.

The workgroup created this resource-oriented site developed by subject matter experts from across the state that includes specific content for:

• Emergency management and public safety personnel
• Businesses and employers
• Houses of worship
• Schools and universities
• Health and human services
• Special events and tourist attractions
• Families and individuals