An active threat incident requires a rapid response; the best time to consider how to react is in advance.

Your aim should be to act quickly and efficiently if the need arises. Familiarize yourself with your surroundings, identify possible escape routes, and consider how you might react in such a situation.

If your life is in imminent danger, there are three options to consider: Evade, Deny and Overcome. These options are well suited to any threat situation, and will serve you on or off campus, or at any point in your life.

EVADE

If there is ANY way to escape the threat and you are reasonably sure you can do so without being harmed; do so. Your best option is always to get away from the threat.

• Do not blindly run.
  

  • Have an escape route in mind.

  • Evacuate, regardless of whether anyone agrees to follow.

  • Except for your cell phone, leave any belongings behind.

  • Help others escape, especially those with special needs.

  • Tell others not to enter the area where the active threat may be.

  • Keep your hands visible at all times.

  • Follow the instructions of any law enforcement personnel you encounter.

  • Do not attempt to move injured people.

• Call 911 when it is safe to do so and provide the following information:
  • Your name and location
  • Location of the incident (be as specific as possible)
  • Number of shooters (if known)
  • Number of persons who may be involved

DENY

If evacuation is not possible, you are told to "lockdown", or if the active threat is outdoors, find a place to deny the active threat from getting to you. Choose the best space that is most quickly available. 

• Never be passive. Continue taking active steps to:

  • Stay out of the view of the active threat.
  • Provide protection if shots are fired in your direction (i.e., a room with a door that can be locked).
  • Not trap yourself or restrict your options for movement.

• Deny an active threat from entering your space:

  • Mentally prepare yourself to fight.
  • Turn off the lights.
  • Lock any doors and windows, if possible.
  • Place heavy furniture or equipment in front of any doors (especially if the door does not lock or open into the hallway).
  • If possible, wrap a belt or electrical cord around the closer mechanism at the top of the door to prevent the door from opening.
  • Close blinds, and cover and move away from windows.

• Keep yourself safe while hiding:

  • Remain quiet.
  • Hide behind large items (i.e., cabinets, desks).
  • Silence your cell phone and turn off vibrate mode.
  • Turn off any sources of noise (i.e., radios, TVs).
  • Don’t respond to voice commands or move barricades until you are sure that commands are coming from the police.
  • If you can speak to a dispatcher without being overheard by the assailants, dial 911 to alert the police to the situation.
  • If you cannot speak, mute the speaker and leave the line open so the dispatcher can listen.
  • Do not approach emergency responders; let them come to you. 

• If outside when a shooting occurs:

  • Drop to the ground immediately, face down, and as flat as possible. If within 15-20 feet of a safe place or cover, duck and run for it.
  • Move or crawl away from gunfire, trying to use any obstacle between you and the gunfire.
    • Remember, obstacles might conceal you from sight, but are not always bulletproof.
  • When you reach a relatively safe place, stay down and do not move. Do not peek or raise your head to try to see what is happening.
  • Wait and listen for further instructions from law enforcement.

OVERCOME

If your life is in immediate danger, take relentless action to defend yourself and others.

If you knew you would be fighting for your life tomorrow, what would you do to prepare for it today?

• Take steps to incapacitate the shooter:

  • Act as aggressively as possible toward a threat

    • Yell

    • Commit to your actions.

  • Throw any available items at the intruder(s) to distract them (books, backpacks, etc.)

  • Use improvised weapons such as a fire extinguishers, chairs, or other solid, commonly found items.

  • Train (Learn how to defend yourself before the time comes)

    • Familiarize yourself with weapons