MSA Security and BEOC Alliance to Host Symposium on Active Shooter Trends Impacting Schools at NJIT Featuring Keynote by Newtown First-Responder Lt. Anthony Schirillo

NEWARK, N.J., Feb. 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- MSA Security (MSA), an industry leader in high consequence threat protection and specialized training dedicated to helping schools enhance their security measures, today announced that its security experts will present on key active shooter trends impacting schools during a free symposium held exclusively for educators at the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) in affiliation with the Business Emergency Operations Center (BEOC) alliance.

Connecticut State Police Lieutenant and Stratford, Conn. Emergency Management Director Anthony J. Schirillo, whose personnel were some of the first-responders to arrive at Sandy Hook Elementary during the mass-shooting incident in Newtown, Conn., will speak about his behind-the-scenes experience of these highly unpredictable events in a keynote speech. In addition to Lt. Schirillo's keynote address and security sessions with compelling research data led by MSA's active shooter threat experts, Dr. Michael Chumer, who oversees the NJIT and BEOC alliance, and renowned Security Consultant Patrick V. Fiel Sr. will also discuss trends in school safety raised by the increase in active shooter incidents across the U.S.

"MSA has gathered some of the nation's most experienced safety advisors and threat experts to help educators better understand and prepare for active shooter incidents," said Michael O'Neil, President of MSA Security. "This symposium will cover all security elements needed in the design and execution of a robust active shooter security plan. The addition of Lt. Schirillo provides key personal insight of a first-responder from the Newtown shooting that is invaluable in understanding the dynamics of an active shooter event."

The free symposium will be held in Ballroom A of the NJIT on Feb. 22 from 8.30 AM to 2:00 PM. The schedule for the event is as follows:

Insight from Newtown — Keynote Address by Lt. Anthony Schirillo — 9:00 a.m. ET

Lt. Anthony Schirillo will deliver a keynote address about the active shooter threat, including personal insights on the subject drawn from his experience responding to the mass shooting in Newtown, Conn.

Active Shooter Threat Overview — Understanding the Threat — from 9:20 a.m.–9:50 a.m. ET

William Kane and the MSA Security Research and Intelligence Analysis Division will present compelling research data about the active shooter threat.

Physical Protection and the Active Shooter Threat — from 10:05 a.m.–10:50 a.m. ET

MSA Physical Security Professional Matthew Dimmick will lead a discussion about the crucial role of physical protection during the event of an active shooter incident in schools.

Active Shooter Preparedness and Response — from 10:50 a.m.–11:35 a.m. ET

John Quinn, Director of Specialized Training at MSA Security, will discuss how schools can be better prepared and trained to respond to the active shooter threat.

School Security – Bringing it all Together — from 11:45 a.m.–12:30 p.m. ET

Highly experienced School Security Consultant Patrick Fiel will deliver a presentation detailing how schools can utilize various security strategies and emergency protocols during active shooter incidents.

Lunch with Dr. Chumer – Crisis Communication and Coordination — from 12:30 p.m.–1:30 p.m. ET

This lunchtime talk delivered by the NJ BEOC Alliance's Dr. Michael Chumer will examine how schools can effectively communicate and coordinate with various law enforcement agencies in the instance of an active shooter threat.

Active Shooter Q&A Panel Moderated by Mary O'Rourke — from 1:30 p.m.–2:00 p.m. ET

In this Question & Answer session, school officials will have an opportunity to ask Lt. Schirillo and Messrs. Kane, Dimmick, Quinn, and Fiel any questions they might have about school safety as it relates to the active shooter threat.

All sessions will be moderated by Mary O'Rourke of MSA, a former teacher in the North Bergen School District, and be interspersed with networking opportunities for educators to speak one-on-one with otherwise hard-to-reach security experts and event speakers. 

For more information on the active shooter symposium and the symposium speakers, and for media inquiries related to the event, please contact Jessica Hagstrom at (212) 509-1336 x232. In addition to these educational sessions, MSA Systems Integration will demonstrate the latest versions of its access control, intrusion detection, and perimeter protection systems at the symposium. For more information on MSASI, please visit http://www.msasi.net.

Registration for this event is now closed. To be added to the wait list, please e-mail Jessica Hagstrom at [email protected].

For more information on the active shooter symposium and event speakers, and for media inquiries related to the symposium, please contact Jessica Hagstrom at (212) 509-1336 x 232.

About MSA Security

Since 1987, MSA Security has served as an industry leader in high consequence threat protection and specialized training for corporate and government clients. The MSA team is comprised of security professionals with diverse backgrounds in law enforcement, elite military units, and the private sector working together to provide unparalleled consulting, training, explosive detection and perimeter security services. MSA combines hands-on expertise with information and technology to minimize our clients' vulnerabilities foreseeable threats. More information is available at www.msasecurity.net.

SOURCE MSA Security