Tennessee Hospital Adds Armed Guards, Plans to Boost Security Following Shooting

Tennessee Hospital Adds Armed Guards, Plans to Boost Security Following Shooting

The Regional Medical Center in Orangeburg, Tenn., has added armed guards and plans to further boost security following the shooting of an employee in the emergency department on Wednesday.

  • By Jessica Davis
  • April 15, 2019

The Regional Medical Center in Orangeburg, Tenn., has added internal armed security officers following the shooting of an employee in the hospital’s emergency department on Wednesday. Further security upgrades could be on the way.

"We are literally looking at every entry and exit point and looking at some of our other systems in place," said Carol Y. Koenecke-Grant, RMC Vice President of Strategy and Marketing. "We have it [security] as our top priority. That is our total focus right now: the safety and security of our patients and their families."

The shooting took place at the hospital at about 8:45 a.m. on Wednesday. A suspect entered the hospital and fired multiple shots, striking a hospital employee in the abdomen.

The hospital issued a “Code Silver” to indicate an active shooter scenario and then locked down the facility. Sheriff’s deputies conducted a room-to-room search at the hospital, while RMC security took the suspect into custody within moments. The injured employee is in critical condition.

For the initial 24-hour period after the shooting, the hospital had an armed deputy from the Orangeburg County Sheriff’s Office on campus, Koenecke-Grant said.

Now, the hospital is looking at options to step up their security, beginning with the hiring of armed security guards.

"We were working with the security company (Allied Universal) before any of this happened about getting armed officers in the emergency department," Koenecke-Grant said. "We have firmed up and signed that contract."

The armed security officers will be stations in the emergency department, among other locations. There will also be armed security at the Bamberg-Barnell County Emergency Department.

According to Koenecke-Grant, Allied Universal is going to conduct a complete security assessment of the entire hospital system, including clinics and other facilities. The company will then give the hospital recommendations on security going forward.

About the Author

Jessica Davis is the Associate Content Editor for 1105 Media.

Featured

  • Campus Parking Problems: Modern Security Solutions

    Parking: for many, it’s an everyday fact of life. Whenever we drive somewhere, we must consider parking, and often, that parking experience sets our mood and expectations for the rest of the journey. Whether a quick grocery store pickup or long-term airport parking, the parking lot is an integral part of whatever type of campus you’re visiting. This includes destinations like retail stores, your local high school, hospitals, and the park-and-ride systems present in major cities. Read Now

  • The Critical Need for Naloxone on School Campuses

    The opioid crisis is escalating across the United States, increasingly affecting all segments of the population, including students on K-12 and college campuses. As the threat from opioids, especially fentanyl, becomes more widespread, it's critical for schools to have naloxone available—an antidote for opioid overdoses. This article discusses why naloxone should be as common as Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in educational settings. Read Now

  • Best Practices for A Holistic Approach to Video Solutions in Campus Security

    Video surveillance is one of the most common security measures implemented by educational institutions today, but installing cameras is just the beginning. Adopting a holistic, comprehensive approach to video surveillance is a more effective way to safeguard campus communities and fully realize the value of your investment in physical security systems. Read Now

  • Back to School Planning is a Year-Round Commitment

    With summer underway, K-12 and college students, faculty, and staff are taking a well-earned break to recharge and gear up for the fall. It’s also the season when security professionals can get in and get busy installing upgrades and retrofits before the new school year starts. It’s a brief window, but, thanks to diligent planning throughout the year, the pros are always ready to hit the ground running at the last bell of spring term to make the most out of the limited time available. Read Now

Most   Popular

Webinars

Whitepapers