ROANOKE (WSLS 10) - Wednesday's tragedy at Smith Mountain Lake has some reflecting on the possibility tragedy could happen to anyone, anywhere, even at the workplace.
Roanoke City police said they receive at least one call a week in regards to safety concerns at work. Many companies in southwest Virginia have plans and training in place to make employees feel at ease and avoid tragedies altogether.
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Administrators at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital said emotions and tempers can quickly spiral out of control in the emergency room. In one instance, a feud between two patients escalated quickly and staff called security personnel to assist.
Emergency Director Brandon Jones explained. "he escalated very, very quickly, which required a large police and security response. It got to the point where this gentleman in the room was asking people to come fight him."
Jones continued, "the emergency department is a high-stress environment. People are coming to us and most of the time it's the hardest days of their life."
Hospital experts said there's more potential for violence in the workplace now, and aggression and mental health issues can contribute to an individual's breaking point.
"We see a lot more potential for violence in an emergency room setting, or in person psychiatric ward where we are seeing people acutely unwell," said M.D. Thomas Milam, who also works at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital.
Milam said there are preventative steps employees can take in emergency situations - like knowing where exits are located and trusting instincts.
"If that hair stands up on the back of your neck, that's your intuition speaking to you," said Officer Travis Akins of the Roanoke City Police Department. "It's your own body telling you, you have to pay attention and you have to be alert. And, change your course of action if someone is following you."
No one can predict when tragedy will strike and experts say being prepared, staying diligent and asking for help when needed are the best defenses against tragedy.
"One of the most difficult things for me was seeing people who were going to do their job and experiencing that type of violence while just doing their job," said Jones.
Roanoke City police said if you are concerned about safety matters at you place of work; you can reach out to them by phone at (540) 853-2212. Or you can email the department at police@roanokeva.gov.
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