Most of the time our environments can be narrowed down to four basic types, where we live, in our vehicle, other transit and the workplace. The concentration of this article is on workplace survival. Primarily for those that work in an office that like many are non permissive when it comes to weapons and self defense.

First of all you need look at you workplace's physical security. Do they have cameras? Are they monitored or just recorded? Is the parking lot controlled access? Do they even provide parking or do you have to park on the street? Are the doors controlled by access cards, keys or most doors not locked at all. Are there doors that are locked and unlocked at certain times? Are their doors that a blocked open by the smokers in your office that present a security issue? Where are the entrances and exits? If you have automatic doors have you ever tested them to make sure they will pop open and swing out if pushed in and emergency? Which exit doors are alarmed and would you recognize that particular alarm sound?

Does your building have it's own security? Are they professionals or TV watching clueless idiots? Are they trained in anything like first aid, CPR? Are they armed? Do they work for the company or are they contract? Are there metal detectors, and do they really work?

Are employees required to wear ID badges? The problem with most ID badges is that they have a small picture and a lot of writing that nobody can read at arms distance. ID s that are to be worn should have a picture that is about half the size of the ID card itself. It should also contain in large letters the name of the person and their department.

If it is the policy of the employer that everyone in the building wear an ID badge then it should be encouraged to challenge anyone who is not wearing one. It should also be encouraged to remind people to turn their badges around if you cannot see the picture.

Access cards should never have the name or address of the business they belong to. They should however be numbered and access limited to where an employee actually need be.

Now that we have addressed the physical security, lets look at your personal security. Typically you have no responsibility to defend or protect your place of business or anyone in it. Your primary responsibility to survive and event that occurs and return home to your family.

What time of day do you arrive at work? What time do you leave? Do you leave in a group or by yourself? It is always best to leave with the herd if possible.

Where do you park? If it is in a parking garage try to park near an exit. Know where the fire alarms are if they don't have emergency alarms as some do. If you feel threatened don't hesitate to pull the alarm to summon help.
If it is in an outdoor parking lot do your best to back in for an easy exit. If you had to could your car make it over a curb or median to leave the lot?

What kind of people do you work with? How well do you know them? Does anyone else have any interest in his or her security? How do you think they would respond to a traumatic event?

When in the area you normally work in look for all the exits and know where they lead. In the event of any type of workplace violence or robbery a good common sense response would be to get to an exit and get out. Seldom will the shooter pursue one person.

Be aware that if it is a ground floor exit there may be an accomplice parked in a vehicle on the back or side of the building. Be sure to have your cell phone on your person and not in your desk or bag. The ladies are especially guilty of this.

Learn to recognize the difference between cover and concealment. Concealment stops sight, cover stops bullets. Many interior and cubicle walls are worthless. If you have your own office do your best to line the walls with bookcases lined with folders and books. They will typically stop small arms calibers used by active shooters.

Look for doors that open out instead of in. They are almost impossible to kick in because you are kicking against the jam. Bathrooms and storage rooms are usually good barricade points.

Is there access to the roof? What is on the roof? If you can get up there you will be easy for the police to spot.

If the worst happens and you are taken hostage and decide it is worth the risk of trying to make a call on your cell phone, call 911 and place the phone where the dispatcher may be able to gather some real time intelligence. You can ask the bad guy things like “what do you have against XYZ Insurance agency” or “how the hell did you get into the 5th floor”.

Be sure to keep some chem. lights in your desk. By taking one and snapping it and then placing it inconspicuously in a window you can give the location of the incident to the police outside.If you make it out at of the situation you will be interviewed by police.

- How many bad guys are there?

- Physical descriptions- Height in 2-inch increments, weight in 5 lb increments. Clothing from head to toe. If you can note any specifics about the bad guys foot wear. This is always the hardest thing for them to change or they just don't think about it.

- Weapon- handguns, long guns, explosives, spare ammunition.

- Where did they come in, what did they say, did you see what car they got out of?

- Did you see or hear them talking on cell phones?

- Do they have access to the Internet or television where they are?

- Did they make any demands?

I realize that this is a lot to take in and think about; actually it is only the tip of the iceberg. Evaluate how things are and how you can make them better, at least for yourself.