Active Shooter Emergencies
How to Respond to Active Shooter Emergencies
2. Hide out: If evacuation is not possible, find a place to hide where the active shooter is less likely to find you.
Your hiding place should:
- Be out of the active shooter's view.
- Provide protection if shots are fired in your direction (i.e., an office with a closed and locked 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 the active shooter is nearby:
- Lock the door.
- Silence your cell phone and/or pager.
- Turn off any source of noise (i.e., radios, televisions).
- Hide behind large items (i.e., cabinets, desks).
- Remain quiet.
If evacuation and hiding out are not possible:
- Remain calm.
- Dial 911, if possible, to alert police to the active shooter's location.
- If you cannot speak, leave the line open and allow the dispatcher to listen.
3. Take action against the active shooter: As a last resort, and only when your life is in imminent danger, DHS recommends that you attempt to disrupt and/or incapacitate the active shooter by:
- acting as aggressively as possible against him/her
- throwing items and improvising weapons
- yelling
- committing to your actions
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
1-10. According to the Department of Homeland Security, you should confront an active shooter _____.
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