Personal Safety in the Age of Terrorism

You are a target.  It's as simple as that.  From everyday thugs who want your wallet, to random shooters who are angry at someone/something, to the obvious terrorist trying to create as much carnage as possible to make a point.

You can try and pretend it isn't so, that you live in your secure house, in a good neighborhood, and that you just don't go to where "bad people" hang.  But reality is that someone at your office may be having a bad day, that your office just happens to be located next to government building, or that you drive a car made in a country that pissed someone off.

Have you ever considered the following:

• Is your office in the same building as a mall?
• Do you live downtown or in a commerce district of the city?
• Do you work or live near a large famous (or infamous) company?
• Are there any landmarks next to where you live/work?
• How do you commute to work?  Do you drive or use public transportation?
• Is your occupation categorized as "essential"?
• Do you travel often?  If so, where to?

These are just a few of the many variables that one must consider when assessing his/her own risk factor.  Like it or not, terrorism is everywhere, from downtown NY to railroads in Spain and summer camp sites in Norway.  Not to mention cafes in Tel-Aviv, or police stations in Iraq.  And if you think that is a far fetched reality for you, consider the students at Virginia Tech and Columbine high-school.  They thought they were safe!

But with all this said and done, there is plenty one can do to increase his/her safety.  Starting with a detailed personal threat assessment, on to means to mitigate those risk factors.  Lastly, putting in place plans for emergencies for yourself and loved ones.  

When was the last time you ran a fire drill at home?  Or when did you last assign a meeting point for you and your family in case of a natural disaster and you can't make it home?  Did you decide on a place to go from there?  How will you get there?  Is your bail-out kit ready and what's in it?

So many questions that we will be answering together on August 14 starting at 12:30 at Masada Tactical.  Join us for the Personal Protection seminar.

This class will provide participants with the theoretical knowledge of how to perform threat assessments, how to design emergency plans, and various possible scenarios and solutions will be provided.

This class is largely an adaptation of tools designed by Yuval Aviv, a former Israeli Counter-terrorism and intelligence officer.  Mr. Aviv acted as a special consultant to the US Congress and Fox News following the events of 9/11.

Spaces are limited for this unique class.  It is open to all members and guests.  This is not a self-defense class.

Stay safe!

Tzviel 'BK' Blankchtein

Masada Tactical