Quickly determine the most reasonable way to protect your own life. Remember that students and visitors are likely to follow the lead of faculty and staff during an active shooter situation.
Evacuate. If there is an accessible escape path, attempt to evacuate the premises. Be sure to:
Have an escape route and plan in mind
Evacuate regardless of whether others agree to follow
Leave your belongings behind
Help others escape, if possible
Prevent individuals from entering an area where the active shooter may be
Keep your hands visible
Follow the instructions of any police officers
Do not attempt to move wounded people
Call 5911/911 when you have reached a safe location
Hide out. If evacuation is not possible, find a place to hide where the active shooter is less likely to find you.Your hiding place should:
Be out of the active shooter’s view
Provide protection if shots are fired in your direction (e.g., an office with a closed and locked door)
Not trap you or restrict your options for movement
Prevent an Active Shooter From Entering Your Hiding Place
Lock the door
Blockade the door with furniture
What to do if the Active Shooter is Nearby
Lock the door
Silence personal electronics
Turn off any source of noise (i.e., radios, televisions)
Hide behind large items (i.e., cabinets, desks)
Remain quiet
If Evacuation or Hiding Out are not Possible
Remain calm.
Dial 5911/911, if possible, to alert police to the active shooter’s location
If you cannot speak, leave the line open and allow the dispatcher to listen in.
Take action against the active shooter. As a last resort, and only when your life is in imminent danger, attempt to disrupt and/or incapacitate the active shooter by:
Acting as aggressively as possible against him/her
Throwing items and improvising weapons
Yelling
Committing to your actions
Law enforcement’s purpose is to stop the active shooter as soon as possible. When officers first arrive, they will proceed directly to the area in which the last shots were heard.
Officers usually arrive in teams of four (4)
Officers may wear regular patrol uniforms or external bulletproof vests, Kevlar helmets, and other tactical equipment
Officers may be armed with rifles, shotguns, handguns
Officers may use pepper spray or tear gas to control the situation
Officers may shout commands, and may push individuals to the ground for their safety
When law enforcement arrives:
Remain calm, and follow officers’ instructions
Put down any items in your hands (i.e., bags, jackets)
Immediately raise hands and spread fingers
Keep hands visible at all times
Avoid making quick movements toward officers (i.e. attempting to hold on to them for safety)
Avoid pointing, screaming and/or yelling
Do not ask officers for help or direction when evacuating, just proceed in the direction from which officers are entering the premises
Information to provide to law enforcement or 5911/911 emergency operators:
Location of the active shooter
Number of shooters, if there is more than one
Physical description of shooter/s
Number and type of weapons held by the shooter/s
Number of potential victims at the location
REMEMBER
The first officers to arrive to the scene will not stop to help injured persons. Expect rescue teams comprised of additional officers and emergency medical personnel to follow the initial officers. These rescue teams will treat and remove any injured persons. They may also call upon able-bodied individuals to assist in removing the wounded from the premises.
Once you have reached a safe location or an assembly point, you will likely be held in that area by law enforcement until the situation is under control, and all witnesses have been identified and questioned. DO NOT LEAVE THE SAFE LOCATION OR ASSEMBLY POINT UNTIL LAW ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITIES HAVE INSTRUCTED YOU TO DO SO.
