After the tragic events of September 16,
2013 at the Washington Navy Yard, .......... would like to provide the following standard
Department of Homeland Security guidance to help you prepare for an active
shooter incident.
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 active shooter situations.
RESPONDING
TO AN ACTIVE SHOOTER – RUN. HIDE. FIGHT
Quickly
determine the most reasonable way to protect your own life. Remember that
visitors are likely to follow the lead of employees and managers during an
active shooter incident. In short, the immediate actions are RUN, HIDE,
or FIGHT; further details on these actions are provided below.
RUN
–
EVACUATE
If
there is an accessible escape path, attempt to evacuate the premises. Be sure
to:
·
Have
an escape route and plan in mind.
·
Evacuate
regardless of whether others agree to follow. Leave your belongings
behind.
·
Help
others escape, if possible.
·
Prevent
individuals from entering an area where the active shooter may be.
·
Keep
your hands visible.
·
Follow
the instructions of any police officers.
·
Do
not attempt to move wounded people.
·
Call
911 or appropriate emergency number when you are safe.
HIDE
–
HIDE OUT
If
evacuation is not possible, find a place to hide where the active shooter is
less likely to find you. Take some time now to examine your surroundings
to determine where would be good place to hide, or a good place to avoid.
Your
hiding place should:
·
Be
out of the active shooter’s view.
·
Provide
protection if shots are fired in your direction (e.g., an office with a closed
door).
·
Not
trap you or restrict your options for movement.
To
prevent an active shooter from entering your hiding place:
·
Lock
the door.
·
Blockade
the door with heavy furniture.
If
active shooter is nearby:
·
Silence
your cell phone and/or pager.
·
Turn
off any source of noise (e.g., radios, televisions).
·
Hide
behind large items (e.g., cabinets, desks).
·
Remain
quiet if evacuation is not possible.
·
Remain
calm.
·
Dial
911 as soon as possible to alert police to the active shooter’s location.
·
If
you cannot speak, leave the line open and allow the dispatcher to listen.
FIGHT – TAKE
ACTION AGAINST THE ACTIVE SHOOTER
As
a last resort, when you cannot run and cannot hide, and only when your life is
in imminent danger, attempt to disrupt and/or incapacitate the active shooter
by:
·
Acting
as aggressively as possible against him/her.
·
Use
whatever improvised weapon available and commit to your actions to incapacitate
the shooter as quickly as possible