"I was in Stockholm today"

8 April 2017 - RPS Partnership

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Just as we were about to leave our meeting the terrorists struck in Stockholm. Thankfully we were not caught up in the middle but were just on the periphery, says RPS Partnership's Managing Director, Caroline Neil.

Read on for an insight into how we were thinking, what we did and our top tips.

So, as it turned out it was definitely a good decision to decide to take the taxi to the airport this afternoon from the centre of Stockholm, Sweden.

As we were just about to leave and step outside the building, we got the message from Swedish colleagues, that 5 minutes previously a suspected terrorist incident had taken place, a couple of blocks from us.

I had a return ticket to take the train from Central Station, but at the last minute some colleagues and I decided it was easier for all 3 of us to take a taxi. Just as well as it turned out! Reports came in later, that gunmen had run through the station shooting.

So what to do with this terrible news at the time when it happened?

First things first….

Top tip: let my business partner know I was alright, as I knew the breaking news would filter to the UK pretty quickly. I wanted to let someone in my home country know I was alright and not in the middle of it.

I was actually checking in each day with him, using a free app, which we find useful and easy to use (can’t endorse it here, but please message me if you want to know which one).

Some people may think this is overkill. Checking in in Sweden? Really? Well as it turned out we got it right. There is a need to check in; even in Sweden!

Next….

Top tip: Next, we reconsidered our transport options to get to the airport. We assessed whether the taxi was the right thing to do. We looked at a map to confirm that the central station (where the airport train goes from) was quite near to the main street where social media was reporting the event had happened. So, we knew that the police would probably close down the main station anyway as well as the metro, so we reckoned that the taxi was the best bet, after all. They subsquently did exactly that.

Top tip: We knew the police may shut down the mobile network in the local area, so we sent messages to colleagues and families in UK, telling them of our plans, whilst we were still on wifi in the building.

As we were all trained first aiders – we considered going downtown (10 mins away) to try to help. Good idea or not? Well, we decided that the police would be evacuating the public, so with the best will in the world, unless the incident is within running distance, then best to not add to the mayhem.

As we headed to the airport, traffic was at standstill going into Stockholm on the other side of the motorway as ambulances and police cars whizzed past with sirens blaring and blue lights blazing.

Top Tip: if you hear of the incident – don’t go towards it, delay your journey or head away, so you don’t hinder the emergency services.

The airport seemed to not have noticed that anything was going on in the centre of the town, and was quiet in terms of security. Nothing had changed one hour after the incident; surprising really. The plane was late taking off, as some people who had checked in online were obviously caught up on the way to the airport. They had to rejig who had booked in and who not, according to the pilot.

Amazingly, we had just been in a conference where we were discussing what to do in the event of a terrorist attack.

My colleagues all came up with new ideas and I am going to share them with you.

Add them to your list of what to do in the event of a terrorist attack; practical and sensible top tips, if you are not directly involved but in the vicinity:

1.     Caught up nearby – make your way to a safe location: café, hotel, restaurant, shop; lock the doors and barricade yourself in.

2.     If not in the area and do not need to go to the area affected – DON’T.

3.     Consider where the attack is taking place and any public transports links nearby – they will close them or heavily protect them, so find another way to travel. Taxis, cars can always go around.

4.     Communications – there are two problems with communications in times of terrorist attack.

• The security forces may switch off the network to prevent further attacks
• The mobile system may be overloaded with the amount of people trying to call family and loved ones

5.     Getting round the communications issues – some solutions

• Even if they switch off the mobile network, for some reason, whatsapp seemed to work in Brussels. So consider this to contact loved ones/colleagues to check in and tell them you are ok. Other apps may work too, but we have no experience of these.
• Text is always more efficient than voice in the times of crisis. It is more reliable and often will punch through the volume if the network is overloaded. If 4G is not working, go to your settings and downgrade to 2G or your lowest setting. Again this will sometimes get the text message through. If have a non Smart phone, then use that. They are sometimes more efficient in times of crisis.
• If the mobile network is not getting your message through, for whatever reason, consider going into a café, bar, restaurant, hotel. Somewhere where there is wifi. Landline wifi that is. They don’t switch this off, as they can’t quickly as it goes through the landline phone system.
• Colleagues and loved ones – don’t forget to acknowledge that you have received the message. It will bring some peace of mind to the person caught up.

6.     Organisations need to account for all staff in the area – however many people that may be. What is your plan as an organisation ? Get it ready now. How will you account for 250 people on their way to work, as an example? Can you account for your staff?

7.     "Prepare not Scare" training – maybe now is the time to consider that Active Shooter training for your staff? How would they deal with having to give emergency first aid?  Bleeding and Breathing????  Could they save someone's life?  Could YOU save someone's life? Don’t get caught out.

I am now on the plane home writing this and thinking how easy it could have been to be in the wrong place at the wrong time today.

Why don't you think about what you would do? Contact us if you need advice or training.

Do you have any other top tips? We would love to hear from you, on twitter or linkedin.

Please contact us on [email protected]