Triangle hospital practices active shooter drills as precaution

“I saw a few weeks ago, there’s been over 200 active shooter events in the United States since January,” said Barbara Bisset, executive director of emergency services at WakeMed.

Bisset said hospital protocol works in two phases, one of which is if the hospital is the scene of the active shooter. The protocol includes running, hiding or fighting for their lives, by any means necessary, including using fire extinguishers as weapons.

The second phase—treating mass casualties.

WakeMed is a leading trauma center in the Triangle and will likely see many patients in a mass casualty event.

Bisset said the hospital put all of its emergency centers through active shooter drills this summer.

“[It’s] tragic, but I think it’s the reality of our day,” she said.