Section 4.1: Active Shooter/Violent Intruder

When an active shooter or violent intruder is in your vicinity, you must be prepared both mentally and physically to deal with the situation.  In these situations it is important to utilize real-time information that is available. Real-time information and updates allows for good decision making when choosing to run, hide, or fight.  Those who are able to leave the area based on real-time information, should evacuate as quickly and safely as possible.  Those unable to leave the area safely should take steps to secure a location to hide and prepare to fight back if necessary.

1. RUN:

• Have an escape route and plan in mind

• Leave your belongings behind

• Evacuate regardless of whether others agree to follow

• Help others escape, if possible

• Do not pull an evacuation alarm

• Do not attempt to move the wounded

• Prevent others from entering an area where the active shooter/violent intruder may be

• Keep your hands visible

• Call 911 when you are safe

2. HIDE:

• Hide in an area out of the shooter/intruder’s view. 

• Lock doors or block entry to your hiding place.  This includes securing and blocking windows

• Turn off the lights

• Silence your cell phone (including vibrate mode), turn off radios, speakers, and computer monitors and remain quiet

• Remain in hiding until notified it is safe to leave the area

 3. FIGHT:

• Fight as a last resort and only when your life is in imminent danger

• Attempt to incapacitate the shooter

• Act with as much physical aggression as possible

• Improvise weapons or throw items at the active shooter

• Commit to your actions . . . your life depends on it

Note- Responding Police Officers to arrive on scene will not stop to help the injured. Expect rescue teams to follow initial officers. These rescue teams will treat and remove injured. Once you have reached a safe location, 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 area until law enforcement authorities have instructed you to do so.