If you find yourself involved in the very rare event of an active shooter situation, try to remain calm and use these guidelines to help plan a strategy for survival.
Active Shooter is OUTSIDE the Building
- Go to a room that can be locked, close and lock all the windows and doors, and turn off all the lights; if possible, get everyone down on the floor and ensure that no one is visible from outside the room.
- Call 911 and inform the dispatcher of your location; remain in place until the police or a campus administrator known to you gives the "all clear." Unfamiliar voices may be the shooter attempting to lure victims from their safe space; do not respond to any voice commands until you can verify that they are being issued by an official. Likewise, do not leave the room if the fire alarm is activated unless you can see smoke and flames and judge the fire to be a greater risk than the shooter.
Active Shooter is INSIDE the same Building
- If your room can be locked, close and lock all the windows and doors, and turn off all the lights; if possible, get everyone down on the floor and ensure that no one is visible from outside the room.
- If your room can't be locked, determine if there is a nearby location that can be reached safely and secured, or if you can safely exit the building.
Active Shooter ENTERS your Office or Classroom
Try to remain calm. Dial 911, if possible, and alert police to the shooter's location; if you can't speak, leave the line open so the dispatcher can listen to what's taking place. Attempting to overpower the shooter with force should be considered a last resort.
Moving From Current Location
No matter what the circumstances, if you decide to flee during an active shooting situation, make sure you have an escape route and plan in mind. Do not attempt to carry anything while fleeing and leave coats and jackets behind so the police can easily see you aren't armed; move quickly, keep your hands visible, and follow the instructions of any police officers you may encounter. Do not attempt to remove injured people; instead, leave wounded victims where they are and notify authorities of their location as soon as possible. Do not try to drive off campus until advised it is safe to do so by police or campus administrators.