By Allison G. S. Knox
Contributor, EDM Digest
The active shooter situation in the United States has reached near-epidemic proportions. Sadly, these violent incidents continue to happen without much that the federal government can do to stop them.
In Congress, both parties have expressed support for several gun control measures to help protect the American people. But little, if any, actual legislation has been enacted.
In the past few years, public safety officials throughout the country have contemplated ways to better handle active shooter situations and to save as many lives as possible.
Using the concept of isomorphism, jurisdictions throughout the country are working to create Rescue Task Force teams to better address active shooter situations. In time, that practice may reduce the number of casualties.
Isomorphism Creates an Industry Standard
Isomorphism explains how organizations will model themselves after other organizations. By doing so, they create a modeling standard and standardized processes in just about any discipline. Some social scientists say this is why hospitals, museums and other organizations look the same in design and structure.
It is important for some organizations to follow isomorphism modeling. This modeling will help them to coordinate their efforts with those of other jurisdictions and create a standard to use for public safety issues.
The Department of Homeland Security’s Stop the Bleed program, combined with the Rescue Task Force, gives victims a greater chance of surviving an active shooter incident. If anything, active shooter incidents have forced public safety agencies to change their procedures for handling violent incidents.
International Public Safety Association Demonstrates Usefulness of Isomorphism
Modeling organizational structures isn’t a new concept when it comes to the creation of teams. The International Public Safety Association recently released a “Rescue Task Force Best Practices Guide” to help jurisdictions understand what works best for them.
The guide follows the isomorphism approach by including methods that have been developed to manage mass casualty incidents. It helps public safety agencies to understand some of the best ways to create a team for their own jurisdictions.
As active shooter situations continue, public safety agencies will continue seeking better ways to handle such incidents. Concepts like isomorphism can help these agencies create a standard of action. That will strengthen how these events are handled and promote increased communication between public safety agencies throughout the country.
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