There have been more mass shootings in 2015 than days in the year and it is apparent that this has become an unparalleled epidemic in the United States. Today, December 7, is the 341st day in the year, and after the shooting in San Bernardino that killed 14 this past wednesday, our country has seen 353 shootings. To be included in this massive (and growing) count, the mass shooting must account for four deaths or injuries due to gunfire, including the shooter. It is apparent that our country has been in a constant state of mourning.

Tammy Holpuch has been the student resource officer at Fossil Ridge High School for the past three years. It is her duty to serve and protect the lives of people in the school in any instance, including in a school shooting type situation that has been so prevalent this year, (62 of the 353 this year have been in schools). Being a police officer, Holpuch has received countless hours of tactical and medical training in preparation for these situations. But aside from the training, Holpuch is constantly considering the “what ifs” and what her reactions would be in specific situations, as she is on site and would be the first responder.

This year so far, we have had several lock downs and lockout drills in preparation for an emergency type situation. In a lock down, which encompasses a situation with a shooter in the building, we lock the doors, turn lights off, and get out of sight. If the shooter comes in, we are taught to run, hide, or fight. We are told how to react in these situations, but a drill and a real life situation are very different, after all. Some people have never even been in an emergency type situation and would not know how to react. Holpuch aspires to educate all students about how to react and defend themselves in these increasingly common emergency situations. “You should always plan in advance, and think, if I was here in this exact moment, where would I run? Where would I hide?” said Holpuch. She also asserts the importance of being aware of your surroundings at all times so you are able to take note of potential threats.

Officer Holpuch says that aside from the drills, it is vital that kids keep their eyes and ears open in the halls so that we may prevent a shooting before it occurs. “It is important that students report things they know or have heard people talking about in the school for preventative measures… Prevention is our first line of defense” said Holpuch. Furthermore, if kids have weapons in their car or on their person in school, or if they say anything that hints at a shooting or any acts of violence, these incidents should always be reported so they can be properly investigated.

For example, last year there was an incident where a student made a comment that was taken completely out of context and spread throughout the  school and social media. However, the matter was investigated thoroughly by the police department and administration and turned out to be less than threatening and simply a rumor.

“When I talk to my son about scary situations, I tell him the importance of remaining calm. You have to react. When you go home you can freak out or cry about it, but we have to react so we can go home. That should be everyone’s goal: to go home at the end of the day” said Holpuch, “you don’t have to be on edge at all times, but we can never let ourselves be complacent.”

Contact the Student Resource Officer Tammy Holpuch to report any strange behavior or threats.

[email protected]

970-488-6306