On the second anniversary of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School tragedy, we gather in remembrance of those loved and lost at vigils across the nation with the hopes of a better tomorrow. While politicians continue to advocate for bipartisan legislation that advances sensible gun controls, the rest of us need not standby. Citizens have the immediate power to address threats regardless of their type, cause, and intended target -- without militarizing.

When a gun is pointed and fired, it’s often the very last phase of a cycle that began years or even decades before. This current mass shooting public health crisis, and the majority of high impact threats trail multiple warning signs.  Among tools at our disposal are: technology, best practice frameworks, and educational and training programs including mental health and social and emotional learning (SEL) resources. Many of these are free and low-cost solutions offered by federal, state, and local governments. These assets are readily available to the public but must be mined, processed, and organized to be made user friendly and effective locally. If sought out with integrity and applied with consistency, such protective factors are apt to make an enormous and lasting difference in the face of adversity and fighting the enemy.

Readiness to Act is a collective, civic responsibility under Homeland Security Policy Directives (HSPDs).  One of our least appreciated national treasures is doctrine compiled by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through FEMA’s firsthand field experience responding to emergencies and natural disasters. The Mission Area objectives outlined for prevention, intervention, response, and recovery provide the basis from which campuses and their communities can incorporate a “Lifestyle Approach to Incident Management”. Stakeholders can protect themselves and their neighbors, safeguard the environment, Critical Infrastructure, community facilities, and property, including information systems.

The burden is upon us, and our Community Emergency Response Teams (CERTs) to adopt the architecture and lessons learned at such a high cost to society.  As true first responders on the scene, we all owe it to those who put their lives on the line, and ourselves to work preventatively, and ensure we’re prepared for worst-case scenarios. If we all work together to weave a mutually beneficial safety net, it won’t be long before We the People can say “Never Again” and mean it!!