Emergency Protocols
Remember during an active shooting to RUN. HIDE. FIGHT.
RUN and escape if possible.
- 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 individuals from entering an area where the active shooter may be.
- Call 9-1-1 when you are safe and describe the shooter, location and weapons.
HIDE if escape is not possible.
- Get out of the shooter’s view and stay very quiet.
- 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. Spread out along walls or hide separately to make it more difficult for the shooter.
- Try to communicate with police silently. Use text message or social media to tag your location or put a sign in a window.
- Stay in place until law enforcement gives you the all clear.
- Your hiding place should be out of the shooter's view and provide protection if shots are fired in your direction.
FIGHT as an absolute last resort.
- Commit to your actions and act as aggressively as possible against the shooter.
- Recruit others to ambush the shooter with makeshift weapons like chairs, fire extinguishers, scissors, books, etc.
- Be prepared to cause severe or lethal injury to the shooter.
- Throw items and improvise weapons to distract and disarm the shooter.
Run, Hide, Fight video
Echoes of Columbine video
- Activate building fire alarm and/or call 911
- Evacuate building, closing all doors
- Do not use elevators
- Assist the disabled to get outside
- Move at least 300-ft. away from the building
- Proceed to a designated rally point
- Keep roads and drives clear
- Remain outside until the “All Clear” is given by Public Safety
- Do not re-enter the building/area until instructed by Public Safety or a Building Marshal
- If you are caught in smoke, drop to your hands and knees and crawl. Hold your breath as much as possible. Breathe shallowly through your nose and use a blouse, shirt or jacket as a filter. If you are forced to advance through flames, hold your breath. Move quickly. Cover your head and hair. Keep your head down and eyes closed as much as possible. If your clothing catches fire: STOP...DROP...ROLL
- If you are indoors when the alarm sounds and you are informed it is a weather emergency, proceed immediately to the nearest tornado shelter area.
- Go to designated weather shelter - these areas are clearly marked with the words “Tornado Shelter”.
- If unable to locate a designated shelter, go to the lowest most fortified (cement) indoor location.
- Remain in the shelter area until notified by Public Safety or a Building Marshal that it is safe to leave
"SAFE SPOTS"
- Under sturdy furniture, such as desks/tables
- Against outside walls or in doorways
- Away from glass windows
- If you are outdoors and you hear the tornado warning siren (a single, steady, three-minute tone), seek shelter immediately
- If you are outdoors and a tornado is approaching, find the lowest ground available, such as a ditch or culvert, and lay as low as possible.
The safety of the college community is our foremost concern. We’ve brought together this collection of emergency procedures and educational opportunities for the safety of our students, employees, and college visitors.
Below are some of the sites that the government has developed to inform the public about threat levels, responses, and personal safety:
- Listing of steps to take to be ready for Terrorist Activity
- The Federal Emergency Management Agency
- Department of Homeland Security (Updated news site concerning our Homeland safety)