PITTSBURGH — During Mayor Bill Peduto’s time in office, the City of Pittsburgh experienced tragedy with the mass shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue.
“My thoughts were that I needed to be at the scene. I needed to make sure my constituents are safe,” said Peduto, reflecting on that day.
As the mayor prepares to transition out of office, he’s using his experience to help other city leaders nationwide.
He teamed up with the initiative UnitedOnGuns to create the Mass Shooting Protocol and Playbook.
“We are sharing with you, the rest of the country, those lessons learned and providing a playbook that should be in the top drawer every mayor’s desk,” said Peduto, who participated in a virtual roundtable discussion Thursday to launch the playbook.
He was joined by leaders from other cities that have experienced similar tragedies, including the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando, Florida and the 2019 mass shooting in Dayton, Ohio.
“There have been at least 22 mass shootings so far in 2021 alone,” said moderator Katie Appel Duda. “Sadly, mass shootings are something cities of all sizes need to be prepared for.”
With tips and advice on how to help victims, their friends and family, first responders, and more, the nearly 200-page playbook aims to prepare all cities for a day they hope never comes.
“An ability to understand what are the necessary steps to take in those first few hours, those first few days, and the days and weeks after a horrific event of a mass homicide happens in your town,” said Peduto, explaining the purpose of the work.
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