The Times Herald (Norristown, PA)
Stepping into role of victim
One of the places that I look to find ideas for stories is on the internet, whether it’s a fire company, emergency medical service, township, or borough website.
One day, while trolling the Borough of Conshohocken’s website, I came upon a story idea, I just couldn’t resist.
I was alerted that a full-scale active shooter drill will take place inside Conshohocken Elementary School on Fayette Street on a Saturday morning, and to make the drill as realistic as possible people were needed to play “victims.”
This brought back memories for me. I am no stranger to playing “victim.” In 1991, I played the part of a school teacher, killed on impact when a small plane crashed into a school. A few years later. I played an injured chemical worker.
Fast forward to the present, 2019. It ws fated that I play a victim. After all, opportunity missed, is opportunity lost. I quickly contacted the Borough of Conshohocken and volunteered to be a “victim” in the drill. I was a little premature. I was informed that a week prior to the drill there would be a meeting for those still interested in Editor’s Note: This is a firsthand reporter from freelance writer Gil Cohen on his experiences as a volunteer “victim” in an active shooter drill.
playing “victims.”
On this Saturday morning, I, along with my girlfriend Tara, and 10 other wannabe “victims” assembled in front of the Conshohocken Police Station on Fayette Street. Shortly, we were asked to come inside where we were led into the training room, where we sat in chairs in front of a long white table.
Walking swiftly into the room, in a police uniform was Sergeant Michael Conner, who stood behind the tan colored podium to welcome and thank us for attending. “The purpose of this meeting is for everyone to get an idea of what will enfold during the drill and what is expected from all of you before committing to the duty,” stated Conner.
Behind Conner was a green chalkboard where he took a piece of chalk and drew a rough layout of the two-story school and those areas that would be affected in the “shooting,” which included hallways, the school psychologist’s office, classrooms, cafeteria, and the gymnasium. He then sketched out the direction of travel of the shooter upon entering the school building. “Before any of you put your hand up to volunteer to be the shooter, thank you anyway. I have someone lined up. My 17year old son,” said Conner.
Conner wanted us to be aware that there would be physical touching to “various degrees” for those who play “students and “teachers” who are “barricaded” in classrooms when the law officers gain entry. “Both students and teachers would be instructed to go to the nearest wall with hands up and legs spread, to be patted down to make sure you are not carrying a concealed weapon; after all, who’s to say the shooter could hurriedly pose as a student? Then you will be asked, still with hands up, to exit the building in an organized manner. For those of you who are ‘injured,’ there will be touching from the EMS personnel, so they can examine where you are ‘injured’ and, to see if you can walk out of the building with assistance,” explained Conner.
What every “bad guy” needs in an active shooter drill is a gun. Conner revealed an old style gun that will be used by the shooter, upon entering the school building, with the sound of blank gunfire. “For those of you who have delicate ears, headphones will be issued to protect your hearing,” said Conner.
“I know you must be asking yourselves what’s my role,’ stated Conner.” I am going to give you a week to think about whether or not you still want to play a ‘victim.’ Next week when I see who is all in attendance, I will then give you a role.”
And now the drill...
It’s Saturday morning. Time for the full-scale active shooter drill slated to begin at Conshohocken Elementary School on Harry Street at 7 am. My girlfriend, Tara, and I arrive “on set” both expecting to participate in the exercise.
Tara took me aside and said that she needed to speak with me. “I just want you to know, I don’t feel comfortable playing a role in this. I’m sorry. However, I’ll stand outside in front of the school and watch from there.” I told her I understood. Not everybody wants to be Mariska Hartigay.
I walked over to Michael Conner who was busy delegating roles to the people who assembled in front of the school. He turned to me and said “Gil. You will play a parent who gets shot. You are alive, however, in excruciating pain. Sound good?’’ “Sounds like a plan,” I replied.
In preparation for my role, Conner walked me over to the “makeup department,” where my wound would be applied. “Okay. From what Michael Conner told me, you would like to play a live wounded victim who suffers from a gunshot injury. I have just the thing,” stated David Parry of Techline Technologies, Inc., in Upper Moreland Township.. I stood in front of a long brown table laden down with an assortment of wound injuries that could be applied to any part of the human body.
Parry found an appropriate wound which resembles a compound fracture. He informed me that wearable wounds are made of reinforced silicone which are held in place with hook and loop material sewn directly into the silicone. I knew this was a serious injury. I quizzed him as to how I should enhance my role. “It’s like a hammer that smashes down on your thumb. You are in hot pain and you demand attention,” explained Parry.
And now, we switch gears. Since I’m also playing the part of a real-life reporter, it wasn’t much of a stretch to segue to an interview I’m conducting with the fire chief of Barren Hill Volunteer Fire Company in Whitemarsh Township, when my cell phone goes off. It was the school nurse at my son’s school informing me that my son, Murray, has the sniffles, sore throat, and seems a bit lethargic. Be best to pick him up. He’ll be waiting for me inside the nurse’s office. I told the nurse that I will be right over. I thanked the fire chief for his time. Shook hands. And said that I would catch him later.
Twelve minutes later, I arrived at Conshohocken Elementary School. I went to the front office\ attendance, and signed in. I was then escorted to the nurse’s office. I opened the door, but no Murray. I was told by the nurse’s assistant that Murray is in the bathroom. I decided to wait outside the nurse’s office and wait for him.
Suddenly the front door of the school swings open and in bursts a young man brandishing a machine gun. He fires off a couple of rounds. “All right everyone,” he yells.” Don’t come any closer or you will get it. I am not playing games.”
Suddenly, the piercing sound of the school alarm is heard and the school principal’s voice comes over the public address system. “May I have everyone’s attention?. There is a serious situation inside this school. The school is now in lockdown. I need everyone to remain where you are until I deem it safe for you to leave.”
I stood frozen. However, I looked at the gunman. Mistake. He saw me. I put my two hands up to shield myself. In seconds, a couple of bullets went directly into my right arm. I immediately fell to the lime colored rug out in the hallway,
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Suddenly, the front door bursted open with law enforcement officers with weapons drawn. One stopped beside me and asked if I knew the direction of travel of the shooter. I replied no. Please help me. Ow! Ow! I cried. Hurts so much.
Next thing I knew, two more law enforcement officers came in and, behind them, two emergency medical service personnel. Again, I emitted sounds of pain, coupled with a plea for help. They quickly raced to my aid and assessed the situation. “Can you stand up?” asked one of the ems member. ‘I’ll try,’ I replied, summoning my last ounce of energy. They gingerly lifted me up and safely escorted me out of the building, where a stretcher was waiting. They carefully placed me on it, strapped me in securely, and whisked me to a waiting ambulance. Gil Cohen is a freelance writer and frequent contributor to MediaNews Group publications. All numbers unofficial until validated. Delaware Play 3 (Oct. 5): 3-4-3 Day: 3-8-3 Play 4 (Oct. 5): 2-7-7-0 Day: 7-2-7-8 Lucky for Life (Oct. 3): 1-13-42-43-44 Lucky Ball: 18 Lotto America (Oct. 5): 1-3-21-25-32 Star Ball: 8 Multiplier: 2 Multi-Win Lotto (Oct. 4): 3-16-18-21-25-31 New Jersey Pick 3 (Oct. 5): 0-7-7 (Oct. 6 Day: 9-9-4) Pick 4 (Oct. 5): 5-4-8-7 (Oct. 6 Day: 0-3-6-4) Jersey Cash 5 (Oct. 5): 9-11-14-16-19 Xtra: 2 Online: Check out the lottery Master’s blog HTTPS://KARLSLOTTERYBLOG.BLOGSPOT.COM