Naval Medical Center Portsmouth is gearing up for a significant training exercise on August 21, 2025, aiming to prepare its staff and the broader community for the unthinkable: an active shooter situation. The drill, scheduled from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on the 10th floor of building 3, comes amid a nationwide push for readiness in the face of rising concerns about mass casualty incidents. The medical center has been clear in its message: while the exercise will feature realistic sounds and role-playing, it poses no actual danger to patients or staff, and every measure is being taken to minimize disruption to medical operations.
According to the medical center, the location and timing of the drill were carefully selected to ensure that patient care and the day-to-day running of the hospital are not compromised. Only a small number of staff and role players will participate, but the sounds of simulated gunfire may be audible to patients nearby. The center wants everyone to know that these noises are part of the drill and not a real emergency.
This proactive approach reflects a broader trend in public safety and healthcare, where readiness for worst-case scenarios is now considered essential. The drill at Portsmouth is just one example of how institutions are taking active steps to bolster both their preparedness and public confidence. But what should individuals do if faced with a real active shooter event? Insights from Coldwater, Michigan, offer a practical perspective.
On August 12, 2025, Joe Scheid, Public Safety Director for Coldwater, MI, addressed the Branch County Association of REALTORS at a morning gathering, offering a candid look at active shooter response tactics. Drawing from recent FBI-led training for local emergency responders, Scheid emphasized that the standard for police response has changed dramatically over the decades. As reported by the Coldwater Daily Reporter, Scheid explained that, "Standard response now calls for the first arriving officer to confront the shooter." Gone are the days when officers would wait for backup; today, the immediate priority is to stop the threat and prevent further casualties.
For citizens, Scheid advised a flexible approach to the now-familiar "hide, run, fight" mantra. He was clear that these steps do not need to be followed in order. "If there is no place to hide, run first. Hide behind something substantial. While a shooter might not see you, drywall and doors don't stop bullets," he told attendees. Scheid offered practical advice: "If you hide behind a car, get behind the engine block." And if your initial instinct is to hide, you don't have to remain there—running away from the shooter, especially in an unpredictable pattern, can increase your chances of survival. "It is tough for a shooter to hit a person running between objects or across doorways," he added.
When all else fails, fighting becomes a last resort. Scheid described a desperate but potentially life-saving tactic: "If you grab the barrel of a semi-automatic weapon and hold on, the shooter can fire one shot, but the gun won't eject the cartridge and jams." He cautioned, "Try not to do that, unless it's your last option. It’s very scary." This advice underscores the gravity of such situations—no one wants to be in that position, but knowing what to do could make all the difference.
Another critical point Scheid raised is the risk of being mistaken for the shooter if you are armed, especially if law enforcement is not familiar with you. "People with permits using their own gun may be targeted by police, unsure of who the shooter is," he warned. This risk extends to off-duty officers or those outside their jurisdiction, highlighting the importance of clear communication and caution in chaotic situations.
Perhaps most importantly, Scheid stressed the need for immediate medical intervention for the wounded, even before the shooter is neutralized. "Those at the shootings need to treat the victims quickly. It is important, even before a shooter is apprehended, to start rendering aid. If shot, put pressure on the wound to stop bleeding," he said. His message was one of resilience: "You just don’t lie there. We can survive a lot more than a lot of people give themselves credit for." He advocated using pressure and tourniquets to stop bleeding, simple actions that can save lives in the critical minutes before professional help arrives.
Scheid also touched on the broader context of safety in the community. He noted that, "In general, our crime trends have been pretty flat. I would tell you that fear of crime is actually more dangerous than actual crime." To combat this fear, he encouraged realtors and other community members to keep properties well-maintained, arguing that a clean and orderly environment fosters a sense of security. For those interested in the specifics of local safety, Scheid pointed to his annual report, available online, as a resource for understanding the real risks in Coldwater.
Back in Portsmouth, the upcoming drill is a clear sign that institutions are taking these lessons to heart. By simulating an active shooter scenario, the medical center not only prepares its staff for a potential crisis but also reassures the public that safety is a top priority. The visible and audible aspects of the drill are designed to be as realistic as possible, reinforcing the seriousness with which the center approaches emergency preparedness.
Yet, as both the Portsmouth drill and Scheid's advice make clear, preparedness is not just about institutions—it's about individuals, too. Knowing where to hide, when to run, and how to help the wounded can turn ordinary people into lifesavers. And while the hope is that such knowledge will never need to be used, the reality is that being ready can make all the difference.
As communities across the country grapple with the threat of mass violence, the message from Portsmouth and Coldwater is the same: preparation saves lives. Whether through realistic training exercises or candid conversations about what to do in a crisis, the push for readiness continues—and with it, a renewed commitment to public safety and resilience.