Active Shooters: How to Respond
Profile of an Active Shooter
An Active Shooter is an individual actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a confined and populated area; in most cases, active shooters use firearms(s) and there is no pattern or method to their selection of victims. Active shooter situations are unpredictable and evolve quickly. Typically, the immediate deployment of law enforcement is required to stop the shooting and mitigate harm to victims. Because active shooter situations are often over within 10 to 15 minutes, before law enforcement arrives on the scene, individuals must be prepared both mentally and physically to deal with an active shooter situation.
Run Hide Fight: Surviving an Active Shooter Event
QUICK GLANCE RESPONSE CARD
1. RUN
| 2. HIDE
| 3. FIGHT
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Good Practices For Coping With An Active Shooter Situation
• Be aware of your environment and any possible dangers |
• Take note of the two nearest exits in any facility you visit |
• If you are in an office, stay there and secure the door |
• If you are in a hallway, get into a room and secure the door |
• As a last resort, attempt to take the shooter down. When the shooter is at close range and you cannot flee, your chance of survival is much greater if you try to incapacitate him/her. |
• CALL 911 WHEN IT IS SAFE TO DO SO! |
HOW TO RESPOND WHEN AN ACTIVE SHOOTER IS IN YOUR VICINITY
Quickly determine the most reasonable way to protect your own life. Remember that customers and clients are likely to follow the lead of employees and managers during an active shooter situation. |
1. RUN If there is an accessible escape path, attempt to evacuate the premises. Be sure to:
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2. HIDE
If evacuation is not possible, find a place to hide where the active shooter is less likely to find you.
Your hiding place should:
To prevent an active shooter from entering your hiding place:
If the active shooter is nearby:
If evacuation and hiding out are not possible:
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3. FIGHT
As a last resort, and only when your life is in imminent danger, disrupt and/or incapacitate shooter by:
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HOW TO RESPOND WHEN LAW ENFORCEMENT ARRIVES
Law enforcement’s purpose is to stop the active shooter as soon as possible.
Officers will proceed directly to the area in which the last shots were heard.
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How to react when law enforcement arrives:
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Information to provide to law enforcement or 911 operator:
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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 until law enforcement authorities have instructed you to do so.