Overview
An active shooter situation is where someone in the building or the parking lot is actively firing a gun or showing the intent to use a deadly weapon. The initial responsibility of the Police is to stop the shooter, not to rescue or help you, even if you are mortally wounded. Speed is critical here, and you have 3 options- Run, Hide or Fight.
RUN
Get away from the shooter as fast as possible. Leave your belongings behind. Do not hold your cell phone, keys, or any object in your hands. You may be mistakenly shot by responding officers. Keep your hands visible and raised with fingers spread apart as you exit. Do not run directly to or try to hold on to the officers. Please do not talk to the officers unless you have the critical information they need, such as the number of shooters, what they are wearing, or their location. If a co-worker or visitor is too frightened or too wounded to run, leave them and exit the building.
HIDE
If you cannot get out of the building, hide in an office, lock the door and barricade it with a desk or filing cabinets. Call 911. Note that it can take many hours before Police come to your aid, even if you are wounded. Stay put until they do.
FIGHT
Fighting is your last resort and only when your life is in imminent danger. If you must fight, act with as much aggression, surprise, and speed as possible. Team up with your coworkers or other survivors to overwhelm the attacker. Do what is necessary to save your life and the lives of others.
Staff on First Floor - Priorities
1 - Save Your Own Life
No one expects you to die trying to press the Hold-Up Alarm Button (Panic Button) or getting to a radio. If you make it outside though, please call 911 immediately and tell them what is happening. You can either go to the Library or the convenience store across the street.
2 - Let Everyone Know What is Happening
Use the phone system to announce “There is an active shooter in the building”. Go to any phone, lift the handset, and hit the INTERCOM soft key to make a building-wide announcement. Another option is to use the two-way radio on channel 3. Fewer people will hear it than using the phone, so use the phone if possible or use them both at the same time. DO NOT USE THE FIRE ALARM, as you may be sending more victims into the line of fire.
3 - Press the Hold-Up Alarm Button at the Front Desk
There is a Hold-Up Alarm Button under the front desk that calls 911 and tells them there is an armed robbery in progress. Police officers will arrive shortly.
4 - Help Evacuate the Guest
Ideally, you would lead visitors out away from danger and out the building over to the Library. This may not be possible, but if you are able to just yell “he’s got a gun” as you run out the door, you could save lives.
Staff on Second Floor - Priorities
1 - Save Your Own Life
No one expects you to die trying to defend the copy machines. Get out through the emergency exit and take everyone you see along the way with you.
2 - Help Evacuate Others
As you are leaving, stick your head in the classrooms, library, and restrooms and make sure everyone is evacuating. If they are too scared to leave, abandon them. Time is critical and you need to get out.
3 - Call 911
Once you make it outside, please call 911 immediately and tell them what is happening. Go to the Library to wait for further instructions.