Hostile Events Preparedness: HEPS! I Need Somebody; Help! Not Just Anybody…

Taking this week’s reports in two parts, this blog takes a look at the the threat of Hostile Events and the actions an organization can take to prepare for and mitigate those threats. In our daily reporting on the global, all-hazards threat environment, the Gate 15 Threat and Risk Analysis Cell (TRAC) continuously provides awareness on the variety of threats organizations may face. From the Ft. Lauderdale airport shooting to incidents of workplace violence, the array of potential Hostile Events is broad and dangerous. We noted that in daily reporting and in the Threat Focus section in Wednesday’s Threat Dashboard where we wrote, “With the increases in the amount of threats against soft targets, some utilizing low-tech methods, some organizations have begun to appreciate the importance of taking proactive steps to protect their operations, personnel, customers and clients. As reported in recent Threat Dashboard publications, New Scotland Yard is working with universities in the UK to prepare them for terrorist attacks. Such attacks are not expected to decrease. Gate 15 continually reports on the variety of threats organizations are facing and recognizing the enduring nature of hostile events, we have developed the Hostile Events Preparedness Series (HEPS).

Elaborating on our HEPS program in Thursday’s Torpedo ReportDave Pounder added, “This program is intended to give organizations a complete preparedness solution to addressing the threat of a hostile event. In the current threat environment, leaders need to ensure some level of education and preparedness is provided to make staff mentally and procedurally ready to respond to a hostile event. To assist in that need, and working with our premier partners at the Center for Personal Protection and Safety (CPPS) and Ascenttra to ensure the most complete and expert support, we have developed HEPS to help organizations mitigate the risks associated with a potential hostile event to protect your people, property and interests… Most organizations don’t have the time and resources they’d like for security and preparedness. As such, HEPS is intended to be very scalable to meet the current readiness and needs of any organization. While your organization may not be able to do everything, do something (!) and continue to build on preparedness in a deliberate, progressive manner. If you have the resident expertise and capabilities, conduct internal preparedness; if additional assistance is needed, our team, and our partners, are available to help.”

Find out more about HEPS and our deliberate approach to education, risk reduction and organizational preparedness in the Torpedo Report and directly from our website!


The complete Torpedo Report includes additional background and analysis as well as some preparedness and operational ideas for leaders to consider. This week’s reports and previous releases can be linked to from the “Reports” tab of this website.


To help leaders maintain active threat situational awareness, we distribute our (free!) daily paper and the above mentioned weekly products. Our team hopes they can help you achieve a sound background as you assess your organizational risks and then apply a threat-informed, risk-based and prioritized approach to preparedness and operations. If you’re not already signed-up, subscribe to our free products and receive them directly! Free reports include our daily paper, the Gate 15 SUN, with additional detail, focus and analysis in the weekly Threat Dashboard and Torpedo Report.

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