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The New Orleans, LA Car Attack: A New Kind of Threat and How We Can Prepare

The New Orleans, LA Car Attack: A New Kind of Threat and How We Can Prepare

Recent events in New Orleans, Louisiana have left us grappling with a grim reality: vehicles, just like firearms, can be weaponized to cause widespread harm. The terrorist car attack in New Orleans, LA that tragically claimed lives and left communities shaken underscores the growing need for vigilance and preparedness in an ever-changing world.

This type of attack mirrors the unpredictability and danger of an active shooter situation, except the weapon is a car-a tool we encounter daily and rarely perceive as a threat. As unsettling as this is, understanding the risks and learning how to respond can save lives.

How Vehicle Attacks Compare to Active Shooter Situations

Both scenarios share critical similarities:

  • Unpredictability: They often occur in public spaces where people feel safe.
  • High casualties: The potential for significant harm is high due to the speed and force of a vehicle or the firepower of a gun.
  • Need for quick action: Bystanders must act fast to protect themselves and others.

In both cases, chaos can reign, making it crucial to have a plan in place to respond effectively.

Could This Attack Have Been Prevented?

While we can never eliminate all risks, certain measures can reduce the likelihood of such tragedies:

  1. Urban Design: Installing bollards or barriers in areas where pedestrians gather can prevent vehicles from accessing these spaces.
  2. Community Awareness: Educating the public to report suspicious behavior-whether it's erratic driving or someone surveilling a public area-can provide early warnings.
  3. Training for Preparedness: Just as we practice fire drills, preparing for unexpected attacks, including vehicle-based incidents, can make a significant difference.

Why A.L.I.V.E. Training Is the Right Choice

A.L.I.V.E. (Assess, Leave, Impede, Violence, Expose) is a dynamic, proactive training program originally designed to prepare individuals for active shooter situations. However, the principles of A.L.I.V.E. apply to various emergencies, including vehicle attacks.

Here's why A.L.I.V.E. is an excellent resource:

  • Practical Skills: Participants learn how to assess situations quickly and decide whether to run, hide, or fight.
  • Scenario-Based Training: Real-life simulations help trainees practice responding to high-stress situations.
  • Adaptable Techniques: The skills taught can be applied to numerous threats, making it versatile and invaluable.

By empowering individuals with knowledge and confidence, A.L.I.V.E. training reduces fear and increases the likelihood of survival in any crisis.

Moving Forward

The Louisiana car attack is a stark reminder that we live in an unpredictable world, but we don't have to live in fear. By investing in community awareness, urban safety measures, and effective training like A.L.I.V.E., we can create safer spaces for everyone.

Being prepared doesn't mean expecting the worst-it means equipping ourselves to respond confidently and effectively, no matter the situation.

Take the first step toward protecting yourself and your loved ones today. Contact us to learn more about A.L.I.V.E. training and how we can help you prepare for the unexpected.

Image credit: Sky News Australia

LEARN HOW TO SURVIVE AN ACTIVE SHOOTER!

"Michael Julian has written an excellent book. Practical, detailed, and a potential life saver if you find yourself in the midst of a targeted attack."
J. Reid Meloy Ph.D. - ABPP Forensic Consultant, FBI Behavioral Analysis Unit Faculty, San Diego Psychoanalytic Center
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Amazon Customer
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First, I know Mr. Julian well, he is a close friend and close professional colleague. Be certain-my review is unbiased, with the exception of also being from my perspective. One reason he is such a good friend is we are on the same page-and this book confirms that. I have young grandkids and we have very direct conversations about their personal safety and bullying. How many regularly tell their kids and grandkids-no matter what, you get away alive because a bad person only wants to hurt and kill people. Some may not like that-but it's effective. How many, when walking in stores, malls, playgrounds, regularly ask their kids and grandkids what they would do if someone tried to grab them? Our daughters, when in elementary school, had someone try to grab them from the bus stop (they were the only two)-their reactions saved them. The very small town we lived in (literally one traffic light) had someone try to kidnap a young girl-adults saw it and stopped it, keeping the bad guy until the SRO got there within minutes. It's real life, folks. The odds are nothing will happen-but our lives, and those of our dearest loved ones, are not "odds." The best thing every person-every family, business, school, etc.-can do is Be Prepared (Boy Scouts) and Improvise, Adapt, Overcome (US Marines). Mr. Julian lays it out very strong and very simple for every person to stay ALIVE-Assess, Leave, Impede, Violence, Expose. No one is too young or old, strong or weak, to follow this. No special training-just a very strong mindset. Every school administrator, teacher, student, and parent should have this book as required reading at every grade.
Chris Story
Security professionals and others-Read and share this book. It could help save lives! I just read Michael Julian, CPI PPS CSP's book "10 Minutes To Live." I'm a voracious reader, often reading 3james -4 books at a time. At the same time I am discerning. If the back cover or first few pages don't make me want to continue, I move on fairly quickly. As a security professional, I have a critical eye for fluff and conjecture. With this book that was not the case. After the first chapter, I reached out to several colleagues and friends and recommended it. I also recommended Michael be a guest interview on a popular survival mindset podcast. This book is well written, well researched, cited, and yet easy to read and comprehend. It isn't a stale scholastic book on concept. It is an educational, read-and-apply-NOW manual for thinking through and surviving an active shooter event. His approach goes beyond the accepted "Run, Hide, Fight" and walks the reader through a mindset approach to surviving mass killing events. Regardless of background or experience, the author's simple and direct approach speaks volumes to the reader. The book is a must-read for security professionals and loved ones alike. It helps explain why and how mentally preparing now is simple survivability insurance in both corporate and personal settings. Well done! I look forward to more.
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Great information geared towards surviving an active shooter/active threat situation - A very good read in explaining how to survive an active shooter/active threat situation for the novice. Having years of experience from the military, law enforcement and now Executive Protection, Mr. Julian breaks down the information in a very easy way so that it may open the reader's eyes to be more situationally aware. With all of the past decades of mass threat incidents, I highly recommend this book. It may just save your life.
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Informative - Well written & concise. I would recommend to anyone interested in learning more about this topic.
James Hamilton - Gavin de Becker's VP
Do not sub-contract your own security - Excellent read on action to take to survive an Active Shooter situation.


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A.L.I.V.E. STANDS FOR:


Assess

Assess the situation quickly


Leave

Leave the area if you can


Impede

Impede the shooter


Violence

Violence may be necessary


Expose

Expose your position carefully for safety

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MICHAEL JULIAN

Creator of A.L.I.V.E.

A.L.I.V.E., which stands for Assess, Leave, Impede, Violence, and Expose, was created in 2014 when Michael began teaching his Active Shooter Survival philosophy throughout the United States. His book on the subject, 10 Minutes to Live: Surviving an Active Shooter Using A.L.I.V.E. was published in 2017 and the online version of the A.L.I.V.E. Training Program was launched in 2019 and is now part of the corporate security training program for companies throughout the world.


Michael D. Julian - Creator of A.L.I.V.E. Active Shooter Survival Training

Why A.L.I.V.E. Active Shooter
Survival Training Program?

The A.L.I.V.E. Active Shooter Survival Training Program is a comprehensive training program designed to provide individuals with the necessary skills and knowledge to survive an active shooter incident. Its emphasis on situational awareness and decision-making makes it a practical and effective approach to active shooter situations. By empowering individuals to take proactive measures to protect themselves and others, the program can help prevent tragedies and save lives.


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