MSD Strong and Oxford High School Shooting Connection
MSD Strong and Oxford High School Shooting Connection Today marks the 4-year anniversary of the active shooter incident at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. “MSD Strong” became the phrase used by south Floridians and the country to emulate the resiliance of this community following such a […]
Closing Tribute to the Stoneman Douglas High School Shooting Victims & Survivors
As we come to a close this month, the effects of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Shooting are eternally ingrained in our hearts. We have learned a lot about the victims and survivors of the 2018 Stoneman Douglas High School Shooting. We have seen survivors honor the lives of […]
Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Shooting 3 Years Later
Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Shooting 3 Years Later The Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Shooting has been the highlight of this month as Guardian Defense (“GD”) does not take lightly the events that took place on Valentine’s Day, just three years ago. A day intended for expressing love to […]
Parkland School Shooting: How to Get Involved THIS Month
Parkland School Shooting: How to Get Involved in Honoring the Victims, Celebrating the Survivors and Stopping History from Repeating Itself The Parkland School Shooting impacted the lives of families everywhere. Not just on February 14, 2018. Not just the next day, or the week after. The impact of this incident […]
Everything Started with the Sandy Hook School Shooting … Taking Action to Create Change
“Couple-preneurs” Steven S. and Taylor Smith started their training and consulting business in 2013 following the Sandy Hook School Shooting on December 14, 2012. This shooting was the tipping point in which the Smiths knew work had to be done to safeguard American schools. What they did not know is […]
You Asked, We Provide – COVID Safety Comeback Plan
Are you afraid you might not be able to protect yourself, your employees, clients and brand? Well, you are not alone. Conversations with employers and management teams have led us to believe there are more worries in 2020 than ever before!
Why You Should Book Keynote Speaker Steven S. Smith for Your Next Conference
What is a Keynote Speaker? A Keynote Speaker is the opening speaker at your event and is considered a key contributor to any Conference, Speaker Series, Presentation, or event in general. Keynote Speakers are expected to have exceptional public speaking skills; while delivering captivating messages. They can use a variety […]
National Gun Violence Awareness Month
When is National Gun Violence Awareness Month? June is considered the National Gun Violence Awareness Month. Its purpose is to bring people together to create awareness of the consequences of the improper usage of guns. Innocent children, women, and men have died due to the actions of people who had little […]
GD President’s Recent Life-Saving Actions Utilizing a Civilian Trauma Kit
We hope your organization is following our POLICY-TRAIN-DRILL Initiative. If you are, you will note that as part of training, we strongly advocate instruction in the use of civilian trauma kit items.
February 2020: Dedicated to Parkland
February is the month of love, the arrival of red roses, heart-shaped candies and touching messages in Hallmark cards across the country and over the world. It is a time to celebrate with family and friends by offering gifts, affection, kindness and love. Sadly, two years ago, love and grief […]
Learning From the Latest Active Shooter Scare in Boca Raton, Florida
On October 13, 2019, reports of gunfire from an active shooter in the Boca Raton Town Center mall caused panicked shoppers to instinctively take cover and evacuate, ultimately leading to a lock-down. Thankfully this turned out to be a false alarm; however, there are still many things we can learn […]
HOW TO PLAN FOR AN ACTIVE SHOOTER IN THE WORKPLACE: 5 CRITICAL CONCEPTS
How can you plan for an active shooter in the workplace? Most businesses have policies in place outlining responses to different types of crises. Every business follows fire codes, and many have a response plan in place for critical incidents such as a bomb threat. The same concept of writing […]
Active Shooter Incidents in Media Headlines
With a growing media coverage of active shooter incidents, it seems like we are seeing headlines about this topic daily; in our newspapers, on the television, or in our favorite magazines. There have been several major incidents that have occurred over the course of the past several years including, the […]
Spanish River Christian School Completes Full-Scale ATRPS Program This School Year!
Spanish River Christian School Completes Full-Scale ATRPS Program This School Year! Planning and action Two words that sum up the way Spanish River Christian School’s Headmaster, Cheryl Burdin, leads her team through safety challenges facing our schools today. A hostile parent… A suspicious package… An intruder… An active shooter… These […]
Must-Read Active Shooter Response Guide
Is this your first time researching active shooter response training? Or, have you been researching how to better prepare your workplace, school, law enforcement agency or family for some time now? This guide will provide you informative resources on active shooter response. As you conduct your investigation, do any […]
High School Drill for Shooter in Indiana Gone Wrong- The Importance of Running Effective School Drills
Recently, during a high school drill for shooter in Indiana, teachers were shot with pellet guns. We were not there to witness this incident. However, this brings up an important fact when assessing active shooter training programs.
A School Counselor’s Take on Lockdowns and Emotional Distress
In the past few years the number of lockdowns, caused by gun violence or threats of gun violence, has increased. The years of viewing schools as a “safe haven” and a place where children are sheltered from the chaos of the world, seem to be long gone. There has been […]
Marjory Stoneman Douglas- 1 Year Later
Honoring Marjory Stoneman Douglas Victims One year ago on February 14th, 2018 the tragedy that took 17 innocent lives occurred at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High school in Parkland, Florida. This tragedy shook the south Florida community because so many of us were affected either directly or indirectly. This day, which was also […]
Press Release: Marjory Stoneman Douglas Charity Golf Tournament
Marjory Stoneman Douglas Charity Golf Tournament Coral Springs, Florida. February 5th, 2019- On February, 23rd, 2019, the organization Mobilizing MSD Alumni, will host the 2nd Annual Marjory Stoneman Douglas Charity Golf Tournament. This tournament started shortly after the mass shooting tragedy at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School that took place […]
Press Release: Guardian Defense Owners Named SCORE Entrepreneur of The Year
Guardian Defense Owners Named SCORE Entrepreneur of the Year Delray Beach, Florida. January 4th, 2019 – Guardian Defense founders, Steven Smith and Taylor Smith, were awarded a prestigious honor for the 2018/2019 year. Score Mentors of South Palm Beach County presented the SCORE Entrepreneur of the Year award […]
Active Threat Safety and Preparedness- RIMS Podcast
President and Founder of Guardian Defense, Steve Smith and one the lead instructors for the company, Dustin Miller traveled to New York to train the Risk Management Society. After the training, they were able to share their knowledge and insight on Active Threat Safety and Preparedness in this podcast hosted […]
Active-Threat Training Offered to Florida Churches, Ministries- The Florida Conference of The United Methodist Church
The thought alone remains chilling for Rev. Jeff Smith, pastor at the First United Methodist Church of Clewiston. I never dreamed we’d be doing something like this,’’ he said. “When I went to seminary, we never had a class that addressed this.’’ But he quickly added, “This world has changed. […]
Guardian Defense Provides Active Shooter Training for Local Businesses – Boca Newspaper
Steve Smith has responded to several mass shootings as a SWAT team member of the Fort Lauderdale Police Department. Now, he is training local business owners and school administrators and staff on how to be the first responders if an active shooter enters their place of business.
An Alarming Trend: Social Media Threats of Violence
Communities and schools across the country have been combating an alarming new trend: a dramatic rise in social media threats of school violence. This pattern has intensified in South Florida following the Parkland tragedy. In one South Florida community, four students were arrested in a single week for making threats […]
Press Release: School Safety in Boca Raton – Seeking Active Shooter Training
School Safety In Boca Raton – Schools Seek Active Shooter Training Boca Raton, Florida. September 25, 2018 – With school back in session, school safety in Boca Raton is a major focus for local schools. Boca Raton schools are expanding their focus of safety plans to include active […]
Q&A: School Shooter Preparedness – Risk Management Monitor
Schools across the country are back in session. And in the wake of high-profile school shootings earlier this year, safety is a top priority for students, parents, educators and communities. Steven Smith, founder and president of Guardian Defense, specializes in active school shooter preparedness and works with education industry leaders […]
How to Barricade a Door – The New York Times
“How a door opens dictates how you’re going to barricade it,” says Steven Smith, who is a leader of the Fort Lauderdale Police Department’s SWAT team and moonlights training teachers, businesses and city workers how to defend against hostile intruders. For a door that opens out, build a wall by […]
FBI Report: Active Shooter Incidents in 2017 – Guardian Defense’s Takeaways
We recently examined reports on Active Shooter Statistics, between 2000-2016, and concluded that the number of active shooter incidents has risen significantly over the years. Shortly thereafter, the FBI published a new report on the statistics for active shooter incidents in 2016 and 2017. Here’s our takeaways from this report.
Active Shooter Statistics, By the Numbers
Active shooter statistics: Between 2000 and 2016, there have been 220 active shooter incidents in the United States, as recorded by the FBI. Of these 220 incidents there are a reported number of casualties of 1,486 which includes both individuals injured and killed. Out of these incidents recorded, 43.2% occurred […]
Participation in the 17 Minute National School Walkout after Parkland Shooting
The 17 minute national school walkout: On Wednesday, March 14th, 2018 exactly one month after the tragedy at Majory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, many gathered for a special cause. Students across the country spent the day honoring the victims and taking a stand against gun violence. Schools […]
Parkland Shooting – Florida Public High School Shooting Reflection
The Parkland shooting, another tragedy that hit one of our county public high schools here in south Florida. Our Guardian Defense founder, Steven, and some of our other instructors responded to the scene as SWAT team members of their police department.
How to Barricade a Door Effectively During a Shooting or Terror Attack
You may find yourself wondering how to barricade a door effectively to protect your life during a shooting or other type of threat. But, before that thought enters your mind, you must have considered possible instances that would make this process necessary. With the knowledge that threatening incidents occur in […]
Active Shooter Training Scenarios: Nine Tips to Prepare for Effective Staff Exercises
Active shooter training scenarios are gaining more popularity as workplaces and schools recognize the urgency in providing training to their staff. As today marks the 5-year anniversary since the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT, we see the progression in workplace and school safety procedures. One […]
Active Shooter Training Programs : Need to be Customized?
Should active shooter training programs be customized to your group’s specific needs or does one-size-fit-all suffice? I created our very first active shooter training programs specifically for schools. As a law enforcement officer, I had experience creating safety plans for schools. I was familiar with some of the challenges the […]
Las Vegas Shooting: How to Plan for Threats in Public Venues
The Shooting in Las Vegas occurred on Sunday, October 1, 2017 at a country concert by Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. Although most definitive details and facts are too premature to release at this moment, the following is reported to be known. Information on Mass Shooting […]
LOCKDOWN DRILL PROCEDURES: 8 MUST-KNOW PREREQUISITES FOR ALL ADMINISTRATORS AND SAFETY TEAMS
Why do you need lockdown drill procedures? Administrators at schools and in the workplace have many things to oversee- one of which is safety. Whether you’re a new administrator tasked with safety planning or a seasoned professional in the field, utilize the prerequisites listed below to make sure you cover […]
Security in Schools – 15 Questions for Administration
Security in schools can mean a lot of different things to school administrators. Plans in place for medical accidents, bullying incidents and physical building safety are just a few things that administration must prepare for in their schools. A school security plan must include planning for, and response options to, […]
Active Killer: Dangerous, But Weak
In 2014, the FBI conducted a study titled, “A study of Active Shooter Incidents in the U.S. Between 2000 and 2013.” The report revealed many valuable facts. It kept the scope of the study in context to better understand the active killer and these types of incidents. During an active […]
Is Your Business Prepared for A Workplace Shooting Today?
Perhaps as a business owner you ask yourself “Is my business prepared for a workplace shooting today?” This past Friday I traveled to Naples, Florida to present to a group of risk managers, emergency managers and other administrators at the Florida RIMS Educational Conference 2017. This was my third year in […]
Choosing the Right Active Shooter Training Program for Your School
Choosing the right active shooter training program, plan and procedures for intruder and threat preparedness is one of the most difficult tasks for school administrators to do. Administrators often find themselves in a dilemma when choosing the right path for emergency plans. As a result of increased violence in our […]
Practical strategies for surviving a mass shooting
For Immediate Release CONTACT: Taylor Smith 954-654-8912 April 27, 2017 taylor@guardiandefenseplan.com Local company, Guardian Defense, offered a hands-on workshop at Nova Southeastern University on Sunday in response to mass shooting events that have affected Floridians, like the Fort Lauderdale Airport and Pulse Nightclub shootings. Davie, FL – Guardian Defense, presented its […]
Press Release- Local company will bring real-life strategies for surviving a mass shooting to the public at Nova Southeastern University
For Immediate Release CONTACT: Taylor Smith 954-654-8912 April 14, 2017 taylor@guardiandefenseplan.com Guardian Defense to offer workshop in response to mass shooting events that have affected Floridians, like the Fort Lauderdale Airport and Pulse Nightclub shootings, and throughout our nation. Boca Raton, FL – Today, Guardian Defense announced it will be […]
Maryland High School Shooting Plot
A Reminder of “See Something, Say Something” at the Maryland High School Shooting Plot Frederick County deputies uncovered a Maryland high school shooting plot on Monday, March 27, 2017. They successfully stopped a potential mass killing and active shooter event at Catoctin High School in Thurmont, Maryland. This was all […]
Violence in the Workplace: A Comprehensive Safety Plan for Employees
Chapman Partnership in Miami, Florida joined the many organizations in our country that have faced violence in the workplace just a few years ago, when an armed suspect discharged his weapon on his girlfriend at the exterior gates of the facility. Violence in the workplace events like these have an […]
Full-Scale Active Threat Response Program at Katz Hillel Day School
We are ecstatic to announce the “graduation” of Katz Hillel Day School in Boca Raton, Florida from our Full-Scale Active Threat Response Program for Schools on February 22, 2017. Pictured: Joe Sharp, Executive Director of Hillel being presented with a Certificate of Completion from Steven S. Smith, President of […]
Fort Lauderdale Airport Shooting: Interview with Witness, Annika Dean, on Active Shooter Training
If you have been tuning into the news following the Fort Lauderdale Airport Shooting, you may have heard the amazing story of Broward County Public School teacher, Annika Dean, who was heroically shielded by stranger, Tony Bartosiewicz. Annika, a K-5 Art Teacher at Indian Trace Elementary, has been a teacher […]
6 Steps to Building an Active Threat Response Program for Schools
It can be a very daunting task developing an active threat response program for administrators and security directors at schools. If you are like most administrators, you have either: -Done your own research on building an active threat program and implemented one yourself; -Hired someone or tasked someone else on your […]
Are School Threats in Florida on the Rise?
As a south Florida-based company, a vast majority of the schools we serve come from this region. We’ve seen the news reports of the school threats in Florida made at Olympic Heights High School, the clown threats made at five Palm Beach County Public Schools and the direct threats to […]
Active Threat: Safety Tips for Traveling Alone Internationally
A few months ago, Guardian Defense president, Steven S. Smith was interviewed by a women’s travel agency for his expertise in law enforcement and active threat preparedness. The information provided below has been used to include any person who is traveling alone or in a group, and nationally or internationally. […]
Nine Questions to Ask if a School Receives a Bomb Threat
Today, 01/26/2016, four Jewish educational centers received a bomb threat in the state of Florida. The centers and schools ranged from central Florida to the south Florida area with two being in Palm Beach County. The threats caused all four schools to evacuate all its staff and students and have […]
School Safety Threats Continue to Affect Americans
USA Today released an article on the morning of December 21, 2015 regarding another school threat. This time in Nashua, N.H. the threat came in Sunday, December 20th 2015, causing the Superintendent, Mark Conrad, to take action and close all schools until law enforcement can determine the credibility of the […]
Hospital Safety Plan: How to Manage an Active Shooter
The key to managing an active shooter in a hospital or medical center is to create a hospital safety plan for this type of incident. History has proven that violence can erupt anywhere and at any time.
Oregon Community College Shooting: Focus Points
On Thursday, October 1, 2015, a lone wolf active shooter rocked the peaceful community of Roseburg, Oregon; and killed 9, while injuring seven in the Oregon Community College Shooting. In agreeance with the local sheriff, I will not name the cowardly killer at any point in this blog in order […]
The Next Terror Attack: Are Schools Prepared?
On September 1, 2004, several dozen heavily-armed, Islamic-nationalists stormed the Beslan schoolhouse and took over 1,100 people hostage, including mostly small children. The terror attack lasted three days as terrorists forced all of the hostages in the gymnasium and set up explosive booby traps.
Layers of Resistance for School Safety
On December 14, 2012, Adam Lanza moved around Sandy Hook Elementary with unrestricted access to victims and executed our most vulnerable and precious gems with minimal resistance. The release of the After-Action Report (AAR) detailing the incident’s investigation revealed many points in the report that are noteworthy of attention. The […]
It is Important to Report Suspicious Incidents- Don’t Be Afraid to Be Wrong!
A common trait in many people when it comes to reporting a suspicious incident is a feeling of anxiety or the fear of being wrong. People feel if they misdiagnose a potential crime or threat, peers, management and/or responders would make them feel as though they had wasted their time. […]
Annual School Safety Drill Schedule
Have You Developed An Annual School Safety Drill Schedule? We all are aware of the national mandate for schools to conduct one fire drill per month or a certain number of drills to be conducted within one school year. Many states further require schools to add natural disaster drills or […]
Lockdowns: Have They Progressed Post-Columbine?
If safety is always paramount for every school, which it should be, then why do some school administrators and teachers cringe at the terms “lockdown drills” or “active threat training?” In every school mission statement that I have read there is always a common ethos: “that every child learns in […]