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

• 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.