Emergency Resonse Guide

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	Active Shooter
	How to Respond

An Active Shooter is an individual(s) actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a confined and populated area; in most cases, active shooters use firearm(s) and there is no pattern or method to their selection of victims. 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 an active shooter situation. The following information is provided from the Department of Homeland Security. HOW TO RESPOND WHEN AN ACTIVE SHOOTER IS IN YOUR VICINITY Quickly determine the most reasonable way to protect your life. Remember that customers and clients are likely to follow the lead of employers and managers during an active shooter situation.
Evacuate If there is an accessible escape path, attempt to evacuate the premises. 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 officer Do not attempt to move wounded people Call 911 when you are safe
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   Take action against the shooter As a last resort, 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 Throwing items and improvising weapons Yelling Committing to your actions Remain quiet
How To Respond When Law Enforcement Arrives Law enforcement's purpose is to stop the active shooter as soon as possible. Officers will proceed directly to the area in which the last shots were heard. Officers may wear regular patrol uniforms or external bulletproof vests, Kevlar helmets, and other tactical equipment Officers may be armed with rifles, shotguns, handguns Officers may use pepper spray or tear gas to control the situation Officers may shout commands, and may push individuals to the ground for their safety Remain quiet, follow a law enforcement officer's orders immediately How to react when law enforcement arrives Remain calm, and follow the officer's instructions Put down any items in your hands (i.e., bags, jackets) Immediately raise hands and spread fingers Keep hands visible at all times Avoid making and quick movements toward officers such as attempting to hold on to them for safety Avoid pointing, screaming, and/or yelling Do not stop to ask officers for help or directions when evacuating, just proceed in the direction from which the officers are entering the premises Information to provide to law enforcemnt or 911 operator Location of the active shooter Number of shooters, if more than one Physical description of shooter(s) Number and type of weapons held by the shooter(s) Number of potential victims at the location   The first officers to arrive to the scene will not stop to help injured persons. Expect rescue teams comprised of additional officers and emergency medical personnel to follow the initial officers. These rescue teams will treat and remove injured persons. They may also call upon able-bodied individuals to assist in removing the wounded from the premises. Once you have reached a safe location or an assembled point, you will likely be held in that area by law enforcemment until the situation is under control, and all witnesses have been identified and questioned. Do not leave the safe location or assembly point until law enforcement authorities have instructed you to do so.