Parrish Medical Center Shooting Statement: ‘Our Hearts Are Broken By This Tragedy’
By Space Coast Daily // July 17, 2016
PMC Code Silver – Active Shooter protocols
Parrish Medical Center Mourns Loss of Shooting Victims Carrie Rouzer and Cynthia Zingsheim; PMC Security Officers Matt Dolan and Jason Rowley Commended
BREVARD COUNTY • TITUSVILLE, FLORIDA – Natalie Sellers, Parrish Medical Center vice president of communications, community and corporate services, issued this statement in response to the deadly shooting at the hospital in the early morning hours on Sunday:
Our hearts are broken for the families affected by this tragedy, and we are supporting our care partners, patients and families. As the work of a hospital cannot stop, our service to patients and families continues.
Our hospital active shooter security policy, which we call Code Silver, was followed by PMC security and all care partners (employees, medical staff and volunteers). Security responded immediately and subdued the shooter. We have attached a copy of our Code Silver protocols for your information.
PMC security officers Matt Dolan and Jason Rowley responded to the emergency. Security officer Dolan tackled the individual and Security Officer Rowley assisted in restraining him until the arrival of the Titusville Police Department and Brevard County Sheriff’s Department.
We appreciate and commend the immediate response of the TPD and deputies and commend officers for their professionalism. It is for this reason the hospital works on these procedures with our law enforcement and conduct frequent trainings.
We will, in this case and in any case where patient safety is involved, review all aspects of this situation.
Again, our hearts are broken for the families affected by this tragedy, and we are supporting our care partners, patients and families. We thank the community for their support.
Sellers also released the below Parrish Medical Center “Code Silver – Active Shooter” information about their protocols and operational impacts on the hospital today for the public.
Code initiated bv: Staff. Dial 1-1
ACTIVE SHOOTER DEFINED: One or more subjects who participate in a random or systematic shooting spree, demonstrating intent to continuously harm others.
The term active shooter will include anyone who uses any deadly weapon (knife, club, bow and arrow, explosives, etc.) to systematically or randomly inflict death or great bodily harm on anyone.
If you hear Code Silver announced or see someone in Parrish Medical Center discharging or threatening to discharge a weapon, FOLLOW THESE GUIDELINES:
• Lock yourself in the room you are in at the time of the threatening activity.
• If you are able to do so, notify Security by dialing 1-1 or 6565.
• Inform Security of the Code Silver situation and the location of the incident.
• If it’s safe to do so, activate a duress/panic alarm if one is nearby.
• Do not stay in an open hall or area, such as the PMC Atrium.
• If you are able to safely do so, take whatever steps are necessary to ensure the safety and well being of all patients, visitors and staff in any shooting situation.
• If you are able to safely do so, close all curtains and blinds
• Keep patients and visitors away from windows if possible.
The objective is to allow the shooter to leave the facility so that no one is injured.
• If faced with the person holding the firearm, do exactly as you are told. Do not hesitate.
• Remain calm. Try to observe the suspect(s) eyes, ears, nose, eye brows and eyelids first.
Next observe height and weight and finally the clothing. Do not stare at the weapon. Do not stare at the suspect(s). Casual observations are always the best and the safest technique.
• After the suspect(s) have left, LOCK THE DOOR.
• If there are any injuries, advise Security by dialing 11 or 6565. To the extent possible, provide first aid to the injured. No one should leave the premises and do not open the door until the arrival of the police department and/or security.
• If security arrives prior to the police department they will separate all witnesses and have them write down their description of the suspect(s). ‘Witnesses should not collaborate on the description. Five separate descriptions are better than a group description. Individual statements are always more accurate and easier for police to work with in investigating the case.
• All requests from any media representative shall be referred to the PMC’s Public
Information Officer.
• Employees are not to make ANY statements in regard to the incident to the media.STAY TUNED TO SPACE COAST DAILY FOR UPDATES
