Violence Prevention

There are numerous signs of potentially violent behavior. Members of your organization should understand the signs and what to do if they observe them. Though individuals exhibiting warning signs may not become violent, you are doing a service to all employees by nurturing an environment where reporting can take place and aid offered or action taken. Indicators may include, but are not limited to:

  • Increased use of alcohol or illegal drugs
  • Unexplained increase in absenteeism
  • Vague physical complaints
  • Depression or withdrawal
  • Resistance or overreaction to changes in policy or procedure
  • Repeated violations of policy
  • Unstable, emotional responses
  • Explosive outbursts of anger or rage without provocation
  • Talks of severe financial problems
  • Talks of previous incidents of violence
  • Empathy with individual committing violence
  • Fascination in or unsolicited comments about firearms, dangerous weapons, and violent crimes

 Signaling an active shooter event

<Insert specific alerts that will be used to notify occupants of the situation>. If possible, any alert signal should be accompanied by a very brief communication, fewer than 30 seconds, which clearly states the threat, including the location of the shooter. This helps individuals quickly determine if there is a safe escape route or if they need to look for a place to hide. If you become aware of an active shooter and you feel it is safe to do so, use whatever you have at your disposal to alert others of the situation. Your alert (even if it is as you flee) helps others to determine what action they need to take.  

Take action

In the event of an active shooter situation, individuals must quickly determine how to protect their own lives. Based on how close they are to the shooter, individuals should choose the best action from the following:  

Run

If safe, the best course of action is to escape the area where an active shooter is located or may enter.

  • If safe, evacuate the building immediately and get somewhere safe. The ideal path should provide cover or concealment as you run. If the path offers no cover or concealment, run in a zigzag or random pattern so that it is more difficult for the shooter to hit you.
  • Leave all personal belongings behind.
  • If possible, assist others in evacuation but do not wait if they refuse or are unable to leave.
  • Prevent others from entering the area where the active shooter(s) may be located.
  • When exiting a building, keep your hands visible or in the air.
  • Follow all instructions of law enforcement or first responders.
  • Call 911 when you are in a safe area and provide them with as many details as possible.

Hide

If escape (run) is not a safe option, hide in the safest place possible. Hiding places should offer both concealment (hidden from the view of the shooter) and cover (stop bullets). The purpose of hiding is to deny the shooter access to you and protect yourself from bullets that may go through walls.

  • Lock and barricade the door with heavy furniture, if possible.
  • Close blinds and cover windows.
  • Silence cell phones and, if possible, turn off all other sources of noise (i.e., radios, televisions).
  • Hiding behind large items can provide extra protection.
  • Keep silent.
  • Hiding along the walls closest to the exit can allow for possible escape if the shooter does enter the room.
  • Look for possible ways to escape and defend against the shooter.
  • When safe, find a way to silently alert first responders (e.g., a sign in an exterior window).
  • Stay calm and in the hiding place until law enforcement directs you to evacuate.

 Fight

If escaping or hiding are not safe options and when confronted by the shooter, individuals will be forced to choose how to react.

 

As a last resort

Adopt a survival mindset. Although this is an individual choice, research has proven there is strength in numbers. If facing imminent danger, a group may consider the following:

  • Act as aggressively as possible against the shooter.
  • Incapacitate or interrupt the shooter with improvised weapons or by throwing things.
  • Distract the shooter by yelling.
  • Commit to the actions taken.

The above actions (run, hide, or fight) are not sequential, but rather based on the proximity to the shooter and on the action that is most likely to preserve life.  

 

Assistance for individuals with disabilities and others with functional and/or accessibility needs

Individuals with disabilities and others with functional and/or access needs are very aware of their specific needs when it comes to evacuation. Managers have the primary responsibility for ensuring that staff is prepared and equipped to react to an active shooter. Therefore, all planning should be closely coordinated between managers and employees, with emphasis placed on:

  • Identifying any specific needs and working together to create a customized plan that includes necessary protocols. This should include alternate means of communication, if necessary, and the use of any special equipment.
  • Identifying and educating emergency partners or “buddies” who can help in the event of an active shooter. It is always a good idea to have an alternate emergency partner or “buddy” who is familiar with any particular needs.
  • Developing an evacuation plan and practicing it with emergency partners (“buddies”) during all drills.

When you call 911

Provide officers with the following details:

  • Your phone number
  • Your location
  • Location of shooter(s) and the direction they are moving
  • Number of shooters, if more than one
  • If law enforcement is already on-site
  • Physical description of shooter(s)
  • Description of the weapon(s), including the use or threat of explosives/IEDs (improvised explosive devices)
  • Number of potential victims

When law enforcement arrives

You can be sure you are dealing with law enforcement because they will identify themselves as follows: <Insert language about how your organization will identify law enforcement, (e.g., they slide a card or badge under the door, they have a specific password, etc.).>  Law enforcement’s purpose is to stop the active shooter as quickly as possible. They will immediately go to the last known location of the shooter and they will not stop to assist victims. Cooperate and do not interfere with law enforcement.

  • Follow instructions from law enforcement.
  • Stay calm and resist the urge to panic.
  • Put down anything you may be holding.
  • Keep hands visible or in the air.
  • Avoid making any sudden or quick movements towards law enforcement.
  • Do not point, yell, or scream.
  • Do not ask for help when evacuating.
  • Proceed in the direction from which law enforcement has entered or as advised by officers.

Accountability

Once the shooter no longer poses a threat, account for all individuals that were present at the time of the event.

  • Remember, the area is an active crime scene and it is important to preserve as much evidence as possible. Do not touch anything unless it involves tending to the wounded.
  • Account for all occupants and determine who, if anyone, is missing or wounded at established or make-shift assembly points.
  • Work with law enforcement and first responders to account for anyone who did not evacuate.
  • Determine the best way to notify families of those affected by the active shooter, including who will be responsible for notification and the point-of-contact for loved ones of those involved.
  • No one should leave the area until instructed by authorities. This is an active crime scene and they will need to speak with those who were involved in the event.

Providing aid

Even before law enforcement and emergency medical responders arrive, as someone on the scene, you may have the opportunity to provide immediate care that could save lives. Once you have taken care of yourself, if you are close to someone with life-threatening injuries:

  • If it is safe for you to do so, move them away from danger.
  • Render first aid to stop severe, life-threatening bleeding:
    • Apply direct pressure to the wound.
    • Cover the wound with a dressing or bandage, if available.
    • If unsuccessful or not possible and you have been trained to do so, apply a chest seal, tourniquet, or hemostatic dressing.
  • If unconscious, turn the wounded on their side to aid in breathing.
  • Keep the injured warm.

Psychological first aid and trauma

When the event is over, the physical and psychological effects following an active shooter event linger and can be devastating. It is important to seek help for anyone affected by such events. The following resources are available in the event of an active shooter event:

  • <Insert appropriate support networks/resources that you can use following an event. For example, Employee Assistance Program, crisis hotlines, and/or any supported/approved mental health providers and insurance information.>

The following resources are available to help you learn more:

Children will react differently to psychological trauma. The  provides specific information for helping infants and toddlers, pre-school age children, school-age children, and adolescents. Each of these resources list reactions/behaviors that parents and caregivers might observe in the different age groups and provides guidance for responding to those behaviors.