Problem: Active Shooter
Scope: Personal, Local
Impact: Major
Dangers (not limited to): Personal Injury, Death, PTSD
Preps (not limited to): Plan, Train, Harden your home/office/school, Self-defense weapons/training
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.
Here are some recommended actions for dealing with an active shooter situation:
- Always be alert and aware of your surroundings, and stay vigilant for potential hazards.
- Make a mental note of the nearest two exits whenever you enter a building or facility.
- If you are in an office, remain there and secure the door to prevent the shooter from entering.
- If you are in a hallway, quickly seek shelter in a nearby room and lock the door to barricade yourself.
- As a last resort, it may be necessary to take down the active shooter. If the shooter is close and you cannot escape, your best chance of survival is to try and incapacitate them.
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.
- Evacuate If there is an accessible escape path, attempt to evacuate the premises.
Be sure to:
• Plan and know your escape route
• Evacuate even if others are not willing to follow
• Abandon your possessions
• Assist others in escaping if possible
• Block entry to the area where the shooter might be
• Keep your hands visible
• Obey the police officers’ directions
• Do not attempt to move injured individuals
• Dial 911 once you are safe - 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:
• The following steps should be taken to avoid the active shooter from finding you:
• Stay out of their sight
• Find a safe place that can protect you if shots are fired, such as an office with a locked door
• Ensure that the hiding place does not restrict your movements or trap you.
In case the active shooter is nearby:
• Lock the door and barricade it with heavy furniture
• Keep your phone and pager silent
• Turn off any source of noise to avoid being detected
• Take cover behind large items and stay quiet.
If you cannot evacuate or hide:
• Stay calm
• Call 911 to alert the police about the shooter’s location
• If you can’t speak, leave the line open for the dispatcher to listen.
- 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 and violently as possible against him/her
- Throwing items and improvising weapons
- Yelling
- Committing to your actions
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.
- 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
How to react 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 such as holding on to them for safety
- Avoid pointing, screaming and/or yelling
- Do not stop to 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 911 operator:
- Location of the active shooter
- Number of shooters, if 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
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.
TRAINING YOUR STAFF FOR AN ACTIVE SHOOTER SITUATION
To best prepare your staff for an active shooter situation, create an Emergency Action Plan (EAP), and conduct training exercises. Together, the EAP and training exercises will prepare your staff to effectively respond and help minimize loss of life.
Components of an Emergency Action Plan (EAP)
Create the EAP with input from several stakeholders including your human resources department, your training department (if one exists), facility owners / operators, your property manager, and local law enforcement and/or emergency responders. An effective EAP includes:
- A preferred method for reporting fires and other emergencies
- An evacuation policy and procedure
- Emergency escape procedures and route assignments (i.e., floor plans, safe areas)
- Contact information for, and responsibilities of individuals to be contacted under the EAP
- Information concerning local area hospitals (i.e., name, telephone number, and distance from your location)
- An emergency notification system to alert various parties of an emergency including:
- Individuals at remote locations within premises
- Local law enforcement
- Local area hospitals
Being prepared for an active shooter situation is a necessary part of emergency preparedness. By familiarizing yourself with the tips outlined abovet, you can significantly enhance your ability to stay safe and protect others during a crisis. Remember to stay alert, create an emergency action plan, and respond calmly and decisively. By working together and being prepared, we can mitigate the risks associated with active shooter situations and create safer communities for everyone.
It is our mission to educate, equip, and empower ordinary civilians to understand, prepare for, and survive any emergency they face. We cannot rely on the government to take care of us. We must take it upon ourselves to provide for and protect ourselves and our families.
Note: The material in this article came from the Dept of Homeland Security document found here:
https://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/active_shooter_booklet.pdf
