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Active Shooter

 

Prepare

Respond

Follow ALICE Guidelines

  • Alert: Recognize signs of danger and take alerts seriously
  • Lockdown: If evacuation is not a safe option, barricade all entry points into the room. Silence phones and remain quiet
  • Inform: Clearly communicate the intruder's location and direction to the police
    • Give information on the number of active shooters, physical description and number/type of weapons if possible
  • Counter: Create noise, movement, distance and distraction with the intent of reducing the shooter's ability to shoot accurately. This step is NOT fighting. Incapacitation of the shooter is the last resort if the shooter is at close range and you cannot flee
  • Evacuate: Remove yourself from the danger zone when safe to do so
  • When police officers arrive, keep your hands up and open and follow police instructions
  • Utilize this standard practice to ensure you and your colleagues escape safely:
    • RUN - if it’s safe and you know where the shooter is
    • HIDE - in lockdown if you cannot run
    • FIGHT - with every means available if confronted by the shooter.

 

Trapped with the Shooter

  • Don't do anything to provoke them. If they are not shooting, do what they say and avoid sudden movements
  • If possible, call 9-1-1. If you cannot speak with dispatch, leave the phone line open so the police can hear what is going on
  • If they begin shooting, you need to make a choice: stay still/play dead, run for an exit while zigzagging, or attack the shooter
  • When police officers arrive, keep your hands up and open and follow police instructions.

In and Office/Lab

  • STAY THERE, lock the door and turn off the lights. Stay low and be quiet
  • If the door has no lock and the door opens in, use a heavy door wedge. Otherwise, use heavy furniture to barricade the door. If the door has a window, cover it
  • If the police have not arrived, move away from the incident, find safe cover positions (avoid parking lots) and wait for the police to arrive
  • When police officers arrive, keep your hands up and open and follow police instructions.

In Hallways or Corridors

  • Enter the closest room and barricade it
  • Unless very close to an exit, do not run through a long hall to get to one; you may encounter the assailant
  • When police officers arrive, keep your hands up and open and follow police instructions.

In Large Rooms/Auditoriums

  • Stay there and barricade if possible. Turn off all lights, silence phone and remain quiet
  • When police officers arrive, keep your hands up and open and follow police instructions.

Open Spaces

  • Stay alert and look for appropriate cover locations
  • Use hardcovers, such as brick walls, large trees, retaining walls, parked vehicles and any other object that may stop bullets
  • When police officers arrive, keep your hands up and open and follow police instructions.