미시건 주립대 학생들 "총격대응 훈련이 빠른 피신에 도움"

사진/ AP (MSU shooting Mourners attend a vigil at The Rock on the grounds of Michigan State University in East Lansing, Mich., Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023. Alexandria Verner, Brian Fraser and Arielle Anderson were killed and several other students remain in critical condition after a gunman opened fire on the campus of Michigan State University Monday night. (AP Photo/Al Goldis) (Al Goldis/AP)

미시건 주립대학교에서 발생한 총기난사에서 학생들이 빠르게 피신할 수 있었던 것은 초등학교때부터 받아온 총격 대응 훈련 덕분이었다.

AP는 지난 15일(수) 3명의 사망자와 5명의 부상자를 낸 미시건 주립대 총기난사 현장에 있던 학생들은 어려서부터 락다운 훈련을 받아왔다고 보도했다. 락다운 훈련은 최악의 총기난사로 기록된 샌디훅 초등학교 총기난사 이후 미 전역에서 실시되고 있다.

교사 6명과 초등학생 20명의 목숨을 앗아간 샌디훅 초등학교 총기참사 이후 미 전역의 초등학교 출입문을 폐쇄하기 시작했고 학부모들도 신분증이 없는 경우 입장이 불가능하도록 만들었다. 또 위험상황에 대비하기 위해 정기적으로 락다운 훈련을 실시한다.

텍사스는 지난해부터 락다운 훈련 횟수를 늘렸다. 샌디훅 초등학교 총기난사 이전에는 주로 토네이도에 대비하는 훈련이 주를 이뤘다. 토네이도 대비훈련은 유치원부터 대학교까지 정기적으로 진행되던 훈련이었으나 샌디훅 이후부터는 락다운 훈련에 중점을 두고 있다.

유벨디 롭초등학교 참사 당시 학교 보안출입문이 작동되지 않았다는 보도가 나오면서 텍사스 전역의 교육구들은 보안문 점검을 수시로 진행하고 학생들의 락다운 훈련도 강화시키고 있다.

락다운 훈련은 ‘경보 울리기'(Alert), ‘봉쇄하기'(Lock down), ‘위험 알리기'(Inform), ‘방어·대응하기'(Counter), ‘대피하기'(Evacuate) 5단계로 진행되며 ‘ALICE’ 훈련이라 칭한다.

다음은 일선 학교에서 실시되는 락다운 훈련의 매뉴얼이다.

A – Alert

Alert is your first notification of danger.

ALERT is when you first become aware of a threat. The sooner you understand that you’re in danger, the sooner you can save yourself. A speedy response is critical. Seconds count.Alert is overcoming denial, recognizing the signs of danger and receiving notifications about the danger from others. Alerts should be accepted, taken seriously, and should help you make survival decisions based on your circumstances.

L – Lockdown

Barricade the room. Prepare to EVACUATE or COUNTER if needed.

If EVACUATION is not a safe option, barricade entry points into your room in an effort to create a semi-secure starting point.Our training explains scenarios where Lockdown may be the preferable option and dispels myths about passive, traditional ‘lockdown only’ procedures that create readily identifiable targets and makes a shooter’s mission easier. ALICE trainers instruct on practical techniques for how to better barricade a room, what to do with mobile and electronic devices, how and when to communicate with police, and how to use your time in lockdown to prepare to use other strategies (i.e. Counter or Evacuate) that might come into play should the active shooter gain entry.

I – Inform

Communicate the violent intruder’s location and direction in real time.

The purpose of INFORM is to continue to communicate information in as real time as possible, if it is safe to do so. Armed intruder situations are unpredictable and evolve quickly, which means that ongoing, real time information is key to making effective survival decisions. Information should always be clear, direct and in plain language, not using codes. If the shooter is known to be in an isolated section of a building, occupants in other wards can safely evacuate while those in direct danger can perform enhanced lockdown and prepare to counter.Video surveillance, 911 calls and PA announcements are just a few of the channels that may be used by employees, safety officers, and other personnel to inform others. An emergency response plan should have clear methods outlined for informing school employees, hospital workers, or any other employees of the location of a violent intruder.

C – Counter

Create Noise, Movement, Distance and Distraction with the intent of reducing the shooter’s ability to shoot accurately. Counter is NOT fighting.

ALICE Training does not believe that actively confronting a violent intruder is the best method for ensuring the safety of those involved. Counter is a strategy of last resort. Counter focuses on actions that create noise, movement, distance and distraction with the intent of reducing the shooter’s ability to shoot accurately. Creating a dynamic environment decreases the shooter’s chance of hitting a target and can provide the precious seconds needed in order to evacuate.

E – Evacuate

When safe to do so, remove yourself from the danger zone.

ALICE provides techniques for safer and more strategic evacuations. Evacuating to a safe area takes people out of harm’s way and hopefully prevents civilians from having to come into any contact with the shooter.Did you know that you should break a window from the top corner as opposed to the center? Many useful techniques that civilians do not know exist and can save your life. ALICE trainers teach strategies for evacuating through windows, from higher floors and under extreme duress.

안미향 기자 amiangs0210@gmail.com