What to do in an Active Shooter Situation

The world is getting worse or so we think.

Is it truly worse or are is it that we are bombarded with information 24/7?

Working on an Air Force base and being from New York, I must admit I have learned a lot about risk management and being aware of my surrounding. The military practice for scenarios such as active shooters. This practice has led me to purposely look for exit doors and suspicious activity and — yes — suspicious people whenever I’m out and about.

Of course, this suspiciousness can be annoying since I have paranoia tendencies, to begin with!

In light of what has happened recently, I thought I might share my knowledge on what to do if you are in an active shooter situation.

IF SHOOTER IS OUTSIDE THE BUILDING AND YOU’RE INSIDE THE BUILDING

· Close all doors. Doors should remain locked until the shooter is contained.

· Turn off the lights.

· Close window blinds.

· Take cover and try to obscure/block yourself from the shooter.

· If possible, hide behind something capable of stopping a bullet (cars, walls, trees, poles, buildings, fencing, etc.).

IF SHOOTER COMES INTO YOUR AREA

· Immediately drop to the floor or seek cover; avoid movement and noise.

· If safe, exit the area.

· Dial 9–1–1; Report location, incident details (number of shooters, physical description, type of weapons, number of potential victims) and follow directions.

IF SHOOTER IS INSIDE THE BUILDING

· If safe, exit the area.

· If it’s not safe to exit the area, stay in place.

· Take cover and try to obscure/block yourself from the shooter.

· Do not move around the area.

· If possible, hide behind something capable of stopping a bullet (cars, walls, trees, poles, buildings, fencing, etc.).

· If in a room, lock and barricade the door.

· Stay low; avoid movement and noise.

· Dial 9–1–1; Report location, incident details (number of shooters, physical description, type of weapons, number of potential victims) and follow directions.

IF SHOOTER IS OUTSIDE

· Seek cover; avoid movement and noise.

· Obscure/block yourself from the shooter.

· If possible, hide behind something capable of stopping a bullet (cars, walls, trees, poles, buildings, fencing, etc.).

· If safe, RUN. Do not run in a straight line.

· If not safe to run, take cover, hide, and wait for the authorities.

· When safe, summon for help.

UPON ARRIVAL OF POLICE

· Raise hands in plain view. Spread fingers. Use only non-threatening body language.

· Do not make any sudden movements.

· Wait for an “all-clear” signal from a recognized authority.

I realize that in a real-world situation, things play out much differently. I certainly hope you are never faced with anything so frightening and horrific. But if you are prepared and aware of what can happen and ways that you can react to it, you will have a better chance of coming out of a situation.