Preparing For a Potential Active Shooter Incident

Last Updated on April 7, 2021 / Health, Safety & Security

Active shooter incidents are an unfortunate reality facing us all. Active shooter situations are unpredictable and can evolve quickly. It is important to provide your employees with the information needed to help prevent and prepare for the unthinkable.

How to Prepare – create an Emergency Action Plan:

• Clearly identify possible evacuation routes – have at least two.
• Maintain up-to-date emergency contact information for all employees to provide to local authorities.
• Practice your evacuation and response plan annually.

How to Respond – it is important that you act swiftly as an active shooter situation often evolves quickly:

1. Run: Safely evacuate the area when possible to do so and call 911 when out of the line of fire. Help others evacuate when possible and stop anyone from entering the active shooter zone. It is important to keep your hands visible so that responders on the scene do not view you as a threat and follow all instructions given by the police responding.
2. Hide: If you cannot evacuate safely, barricade yourself as best as possible and stay quiet. Lock the door or block an entrance with a heavy object. Remember to silence your phone, including vibration, and dim your screen if possible.
3. Fight: Lastly, if you are unable to escape or hide, be prepared to fight and to act decisively. Improvise weapons from your surroundings and throw things at the shooter. For example, a fire extinguisher makes an excellent defense tool both in weight and to spray at the shooter. Work as a team to disable the shooter and remember that you are fighting for your life.

Call and Text 911 for Help – provide as many details as possible, including:

• Location of the shooter.
• Your current location.
• Context of the situation.
• Number of shooters.
• Describe the shooter as accurately as possible.
• Number and types of weapons.
• Number of people in the locations.
• Any actions taken.

How to Interact with Law Enforcement on Scene:

• Remain calm, follow instructions and keep your hands visible at all times.
• Put down anything in your hands; raise your hands and spread your fingers.
• Avoid pointing, screaming, or yelling.
• Do not stop an officer for help during evacuation.
• Do not share anything on social media.

Law enforcement will be on the scene to stop the active shooter as quickly as possible. Any injured victims will not be helped until the shooter has been neutralized and the area is safe.

For a more customized approach, visit our Active Shooter Training to learn more about how Strategic HR’s team can create a plan for your organization.

In 2019, Strategic HR and MYCA Learning partnered together to support organizations in their search for essential training in accessible ways, resulting in the creation of our Active Shooter Preparation e-Learning Course. Geared toward preparing and protecting our communities should they face the unthinkable, this fifteen-minute course seeks to educate participants on how to be aware, how to assess their surroundings, and how to make a plan.