Active Threats can vary from a randomly violent person to an active shooter. They key to any active threat is through prevention, de-escalation, and if needed, quick and decisive response to keeping yourself and other alive.
Active Shooter
In an Active Shooter scenario every person should act to increase their odds of surviving by using the following steps:
Run— If there is an accessible escape path, attempt to evacuate the premises
Be sure to:
Know where the threat is (location of gun shots) and have an escape route and plan in mind
Evacuate regardless of whether others agree to follow
Leave your belongings behind
Prevent individuals from entering an area where the active shooter may be
Keep your hands visible and follow the instructions of any police officers
Do not attempt to move wounded people
Move from cover to cover
Zig-zag in wide open spaces
Communicate the existence of a threat to others
Call 911 when you are safe
Hide— If evacuation is not possible, find a place to hide
Find a place that provides cover or concealment
Stay low or get high to be out of sight and away from bullets
Lock and barricade the door horizontally
Turn off light, computers, TVs; silence cell phones and avoid talking/moving around
Call 911 if it is safe to do so
Always consider RUN and FIGHT options if the situation changes
Fight— As a last resort, and only when your life is in imminent danger
Attempt to disrupt and/or incapacitate the threat
Act as aggressively as possible
Use improvised weapons
Yell and scream to bring attention
Commit 100% to your actions
Do not stop until the threat is incapacitated or you can get away
Control any weapon as priority; move it away from the situation
Aim for weak points; areas that are soft
Always be in compliance with local law enforcement.
Lockdown
A lockdown is used to prevent access to individuals who may seek to cause you harm.
Everyone goes inside, no unauthorized entry or exits
Close, lock, and barricade all exterior and interior doors
Close, lock, and cover all windows
Avoid noise and congregation whenever possible
Stay away from exterior windows and doors
Turn off lights, computers, TVs, etc.
Silence cell phone (not just vibrate)
Avoid noise and congregation
Find a spot that provides good cover and/or concealment
