Law enforcement officers rehearse their response to an active shooter in a public building
An “active shooter” is a person trying to shoot or kill people in a populated area. Active shooter events usually are over within 10-15 minutes – often before law enforcement arrives.
Quickly determine the most reasonable way to protect your own life.
- Run. Escape quickly and quietly. Leave your belongings. Call 9-1-1 when safe.
- Hide. If you can’t safely escape, hide. Block entry to your hiding place. Turn off lights, lock the door, hide behind a large item, silence cell phones, stay quiet. Call 9-1-1 when it is safe. If you can’t talk, leave the line open so the dispatcher can hear what is happening.
- Fight. As an absolute last resort, act aggressively. Throw items, improvise weapons, yell. Commit to your actions.
- Follow police instructions.
View video: Run. Hide. Fight. Surviving an Active Shooter Event (from Ready Houston – warning: graphic content)
FEMA online course for individuals, managers and employees: Active Shooter – What You Can Do (IS 907)