Dive Brief:
- Dierbergs Markets, Heinen’s Grocery Store and Schnuck Markets are using The Power of Preparedness’s (TPOP) training platform focused on active shooter preparedness and de-escalation, which is offered in partnership with the Food Industry Association (FMI), the trade group announced Thursday.
- Managers and employees at those Midwestern chains will receive customized online training on potential incidents of workplace violence, including active shooter situations, and on de-escalation techniques.
- Following recent shootings and continuing reports of violence at grocery stores, FMI has been urging grocers to seek out new and improved safety opportunities and provide active assailant training to workers.
Dive Insight:
Mass shootings are on the rise across the U.S., and the recent increase in active shooter situations in grocery stores has prompted the industry to explore security and risk mitigation training, TPOP President and CEO Dan Stechow said in the announcement.
TPOP’s training has different modules that cover areas like situational awareness, how to help someone who is injured, verbal de-escalation techniques and options for how to react in an active shooter situation.
FMI partnered up with TPOP in summer 2021, giving its members discounted pricing on the online training.
FMI also has guidelines on active shooter situations and crisis management focused on de-escalation that grocers, regardless of whether they are members of the trade group, can access for free. The trade group has held webinars and conference sessions focused on safety. In an online webinar held with the chief strategy officer of TPOP, FMI stressed how collaboration between food retailers, with law enforcement and across sectors can strengthen security and safety initiatives.
