Active Shooter
Preparedness
Recent national tragedies remind us that the risk is real. Taking a few steps now can help you react quickly when every second counts.
RUN and escape, if possible.
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Getting away from the shooter or shooters is the top priority.
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Leave your belongings behind and get away.
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Help others escape, if possible, but evacuate regardless of whether others agree to follow.
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Warn and prevent individuals from entering an area where the active shooter may be.
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Call 911 when you are safe, and describe shooter, location, and weapons.
HIDE, if escape is not possible.
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Get out of the shooter’s view and stay very quiet.
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Silence all electronic devices and make sure they won’t vibrate.
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Lock and block doors, close blinds, and turn off lights.
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Don’t hide in groups- spread out along walls or hide separately to make it more difficult for the shooter.
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Try to communicate with police silently. Use text message or social media to tag your location, or put a sign in a window.
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Stay in place until law enforcement gives you the all clear.
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Your hiding place should be out of the shooter's view and provide protection if shots are fired in your direction.
FIGHT as an absolute last resort.
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Commit to your actions and act as aggressively as possible against the shooter.
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Recruit others to ambush the shooter with makeshift weapons like chairs, fire extinguishers, scissors, books, etc.
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Be prepared to cause severe or lethal injury to the shooter.
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Throw items and improvise weapons to distract and disarm the shooter.
After
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Keep hands visible and empty.
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Know that law enforcement’s first task is to end the incident, and they may have to pass injured along the way.
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Officers may be armed with rifles, shotguns, and/or handguns and may use pepper spray or tear gas to control the situation.
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Officers will shout commands and may push individuals to the ground for their safety.
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Follow law enforcement instructions and evacuate in the direction they come from, unless otherwise instructed.
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Take care of yourself first, and then you may be able to help the wounded before first responders arrive.
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If the injured are in immediate danger, help get them to safety.
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While you wait for first responder to arrive, provide first aid. Apply direct pressure to wounded areas and use tourniquets if you have been trained to do so.
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Turn wounded people onto their sides if they are unconscious and keep them warm.
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Consider seeking professional help for you and your family to cope with the long-term effects of the trauma.