Guidelines: Run. Hide. Fight.
RUN and escape,
if possible.
• Silence all electronic devices
and make sure they won’t
vibrate.
• Lock and block doors, close
blinds, and turn off lights.
• Don’t hide in groups --
• Getting away from the
shooter or shooters is the
top priority.
• Leave your belongings
behind and get away.
• Help others escape, if
possible, but evacuate
regardless of whether
others agree to follow.
• Warn and prevent indi-
viduals from entering
an area where the active
shooter may be.
• Call 911 when you are
safe, and describe shoot-
er, location, and weapons.
FIGHT as an
absolute last resort.
HIDE, if escape
is not possible.
• Get out of the shooter’s
view and stay very quiet.
COPING
with an active shooter
•
•
•
•
• Stay in place until law en-
forcement gives you the all
clear.
• Your hiding place should be
out of the shooter’s view and
provide protection if shots
are fi red in your direction.
Be aware of your environment
and any possible dangers
Take note of the two nearest
exits in any facility you visit
If you are in an office, stay
there and secure the door
Attempt to take the active
shooter down as a last resort
spread out along walls or
hide separately to make it
more diffi cult for the shooter.
• Try to communicate with
police silently. Use text mes-
sage or social media to tag
your location, or put a sign
in a window. • Commit to your actions
and act as aggressively as
possible against the shooter.
• Recruit others to ambush
the shooter with makeshift
weapons like chairs, fi re ex-
tinguishers, scissors, books,
etc.
• Be prepared to cause severe
or lethal injury to shooter.
• Throw items and improvise
weapons to distract and dis-
arm the shooter.
Source: Ready.gov
PROFILE
of an active shooter CHARACTERISTICS
active shooter situation
An active shooter is an individual
actively engaged in killing or at-
tempting to kill people in a confined
and populated area, typically
through the use of firearms.
•
•
•
Source: Department of
Homeland Security
INFORMATION
to provide to
law enforcement
HOW TO RESPOND when law enforcement arrives
•
• Remain calm and follow instructions
• Put down any items in your hands (i.e., bags, jackets)
• Raise hands and spread fingers
• Keep hands visible at all times
• Avoid quick movements toward officers such as
holding on to them for safety
• Avoid pointing, screaming or yelling
Do not stop to ask officers for help or direction when evacuating
Victims are selected at random
The event is unpredictable and
evolves quickly
Law enforcement is usually re-
quired to end an active shooter
situation
•
•
•
•
•
Location of the active shooter
Number of shooters
Physical description of the
shooter
Number and type of weapons
held by shooters
Number of potential victims
Call 911 when it is safe to do so.
B ROTHE R R I C E H I G H S C HO O L C H I E F TA I N
P AGE 2
N O V E M B E R 2019