In the wake of the recent mass shooting in Midtown Manhattan, the importance of active shooter preparedness has once again become all too clear.

Seeking advice from security experts, FOX 5 New York reporter Lisa Evers asked DSS Vice President – Intelligence, Risk Advisory & Security Initiatives Greg Sanfilippo to provide viewers with critical guidance on how to survive an active shooter event.

Greg says that in the event of such an incident, remaining calm and thinking strategically is paramount. “Rather than just running mindlessly, you need to take microseconds to realize where the threat is and distance yourself from it,” he explains. This means taking time to assess the threat's location and direction, allowing for a more calculated escape that maximizes distance from danger.

If escape isn't immediately feasible, Greg urges the use of proactive measures like finding a safe space and barricading entryways to prevent access by the shooter. Once law enforcement arrives and begins clearing the location, he advises continuing to act with caution. Greg notes that most cell phones are dark in color and, when held in the hand, can resemble a firearm at a distance. “Law enforcement is coming into a very stressful situation” during such events, he says, and it is critical to avoid any confusion. He advises leaving the area with your hands empty and held high to prevent dangerous misunderstandings.

Greg's advice aligns with the widely adopted "Run, Hide, Fight" protocol, which provides a framework for civilian response to active shooter events. This protocol, advocated by various law enforcement and homeland security agencies, emphasizes:

• Run: If there's a clear and safe escape route, evacuate immediately. Leave belongings behind and help others, if possible, but prioritize your safety.
• Hide: If evacuation isn't an option, find a place to hide out of the shooter's view. Lock and barricade the doors, turn off the lights, silence your phones, and remain quiet.
• Fight: As a last resort, if your life is in imminent danger and you cannot run or hide, attempt to incapacitate the shooter. Be aggressive, use improvised weapons, and commit to your actions.

Greg’s expertise derives from decades of law enforcement and military experience. He recently retired from the New York City Police Department (NYPD) as a Sergeant and a supervisor with NYPD Shield, the department’s celebrated public-private intelligence-sharing and counterterrorism program. NYPD Shield has become a model for similar programs across the U.S. and worldwide. DSS is a longtime partner with NYPD Shield.

Additionally, Greg has spent more than two decades with the U.S. Marine Corps and the Army Reserves. Deployed overseas, he successfully oversaw the integration of force protection, military intelligence, communications, maneuver support, and logistics for U.S. forces.

As Vice President – Intelligence, Risk & Security Initiatives, Greg leads DSS’ expert team conducting in-depth evaluations of potential threats and vulnerabilities. He leverages the latest threat intelligence from a wide range of law enforcement agencies across all client locations, assessing the associated risks and their potential impact on operations. That information, which is integrated across all DSS operations, is used to develop comprehensive threat mitigation strategies for client locations, assets, and personnel.

DSS provides a comprehensive and holistic view of the security challenges facing our clients’ people, assets, and locations. We develop customized, complete security solutions that ensure our clients’ safety and peace of mind.

As the City recovers from the latest mass shooting, the event is likely to prompt a re evaluation of security protocols in office buildings and other public spaces. Faced with the real potential for such incidents, many businesses and organizations are likely to consider adding additional layers of security to prevent armed individuals from gaining access to their facilities.

DSS offers our profound sympathies to all those affected by the recent mass shooting in Manhattan.