Active Shooter Protocol

Trigger Warning – This video contains references to themes of violence which some individuals may find distressing.

Hi everyone, my name is Cassandra Sinnott. I am one of the Captains for the campus Department of Public Safety serving Gallaudet University and Clerc Center.

During the next few minutes, I will explain some of the ways to respond if there is an active shooter on campus. Situations involving an active shooter are unpredictable and evolve quickly. It is important that you are prepared to respond appropriately if you find yourself in an active shooter situation. The goal is to take the time to think about what you might do if you are in an active shooter situation – there is no right or wrong answer.

What is an Active Shooter? The US Department of Homeland Security defines “active shooter” as “an individual actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a confined and populated area.”

First, PREPARE. Know where you are and your surroundings. Identify possible escape routes and the locations of the nearest exits. If you are on the Gallaudet campus, add the Gallaudet DPS text number to your mobile device’s contact list now – 202.651.5555.

If you find yourself in an active shooter situation, you must quickly make decisions: RUN, HIDE, or FIGHT.

RUN- if you are able to evacuate safely, RUN, even if others insist on staying in place. Leave all belongings behind. Keep your hands visible at all times with law enforcement. Once you are safe, contact 911 or text Gallaudet DPS if you are on campus and provide them with any information about the threat that would be helpful, including location and description.

HIDE- If you cannot run, HIDE in an area out of sight of the intruder. Stay away from doors and windows. Turn off the lights and make sure all doors and windows are covered. If possible, lock and barricade the door with heavy furniture. Stay still and quiet. Remain in place.

If the shooter is in your space and you are unable to run or hide, this may mean the FIGHT response. This is a last resort and only when your life is in imminent danger. Act aggressively, throw items, and use improvised weapons.

When law enforcement arrives, there are some key points to remember. As long as the active shooter is still a threat, law enforcement’s primary objective is to stop the intruder before helping you. This means that they may run past and ignore you and others even if you are injured until the situation is under control. What you can do is:

– Remain calm.
– Do not make any sudden moves and keep your hands visible.
– Do not run towards officers.
– Do not scream.
– If you have information about the intruder, advise the officers.
– Stay in the safe zone/ green zone till officers advise otherwise.

Each of us can play a role in preventing any unsafe situations on campus before they happen. If you notice any suspicious behaviors or have concerns, please report them.

If there is an immediate threat to your safety or to others, please contact 911 or text DPS at 202.651.5555.

If it is not an immediate emergency but you are concerned about a friend, coworker, or classmate, please contact Gallaudet’s Behavioral Intervention Team.

RUN (If you can)

Get out if you can, even if others insist on staying
Leave belongings behind
Your life is more precious than “things”
Once out, call 9-1-1

HIDE (If you need)

If you can’t get out, find a place to hide
Barricade or lock doors
Hide behind large objects
Turn out lights and silence your phone

FIGHT (If you must)

Attempt to incapacitate the shooter
Act with aggression
Improvise weapons
Commit to your Actions

An active shooter is an individual actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a confined and populated area; in most cases, active shooters use firearms(s) and there is no pattern or method to their selection of victims.

Active shooter situations are unpredictable and evolve quickly. Typically, the immediate deployment of law enforcement is required to stop the shooting and mitigate harm to victims.

Because active shooter situations are often over within 10 to 15 minutes, before law enforcement arrives on the scene, individuals must be prepared both mentally and physically to deal with an active shooter situation.

Good practices for coping with an active shooter situation

Be aware of your environment and any possible dangers
Take note of the two nearest exits in any facility you visit
If you are in an office, stay there and secure the door
If you are in a hallway, get into a room and secure the door
As a last resort, attempt to take the active shooter down. When the shooter is at close range and you cannot flee, your chance of survival is much greater if you try to incapacitate him/her.

CALL 202-651-5555, email Contact OR CALL 9-1-1 WHEN IT IS SAFE TO DO SO!

When An Active Shooter Is In Your Vicinity

Quickly determine the most reasonable way to protect your own life. Remember that customers and clients are likely to follow the lead of employees and managers during an active shooter situation.

1. GET OUT

If there is an accessible escape path, attempt to evacuate the premises. Be sure to:

Have an escape route and plan in mind
Evacuate regardless of whether others agree to follow
Leave your belongings behind
Help others escape, if possible
Prevent individuals from entering an area where the active shooter may be
Keep your hands visible
Follow the instructions of any police officers
Do not attempt to move wounded people
Call 911 when you are safe

2. HIDE OUT

If evacuation is not possible, find a place to hide where the active shooter is less likely to find you. Your hiding place should:

Be out of the active shooter’s view
Provide protection if shots are fired in your direction (i.e., an office with a closed and locked door)
Not trap you or restrict your options for movement

To prevent an active shooter from entering your hiding place:

Lock the door
Blockade the door with heavy furniture

If the active shooter is nearby:

Lock the door
Silence your cell phone and/or pager
Turn off any source of noise (i.e., radios, televisions)
Hide behind large items (i.e., cabinets, desks)
Remain quiet

If evacuation and hiding out are not possible:

Remain calm
Dial 9-1-1, if possible, to alert police to the active shooter’s location
If you cannot speak, leave the line open and allow the dispatcher to listen

3. TAKE OUT

As a last resort, and only when your life is in imminent danger, attempt to disrupt and/or incapacitate the active shooter by:

Acting as aggressively as possible against him/her
Throwing items and improvising weapons
Yelling
Committing to your actions

When Law Enforcement Arrives

Law enforcement’s purpose is to stop the active shooter as soon as possible. Officers will proceed directly to the area in which the last shots were heard.

Officers usually arrive in teams of four (4)
Officers may wear regular patrol uniforms or external bulletproof vests, Kevlar helmets, and other tactical equipment
Officers may be armed with rifles, shotguns, handguns
Officers may use pepper spray or tear gas to control the situation
Officers may shout commands, and may push individuals to the ground for their safety

How to react when law enforcement arrives:

Remain calm, and follow officers’ instructions
Put down any items in your hands (i.e., bags, jackets)
Immediately raise hands and spread fingers
Keep hands visible at all times
Avoid making quick movements toward officers such as attempting to hold on to them for safety
Avoid pointing, screaming and/or yelling
Do not stop to ask officers for help or direction when evacuating, just proceed in the direction from which officers are entering the premises

Information to provide to law enforcement or 9-1-1 operator:

Location of the active shooter
Number of shooters, if more than one
Physical description of shooter/s
Number and type of weapons held by the shooter(s)
Number of potential victims at the location

The first officers to arrive to the scene will not stop to help injured persons. Expect rescue teams comprised of additional officers and emergency medical personnel to follow the initial officers. These rescue teams will treat and remove any injured persons. They may also call upon able-bodied individuals to assist in removing the wounded from the premises.

Once you have reached a safe location or an assembly point, you will likely be held in that area by law enforcement until the situation is under control, and all witnesses have been identified and questioned. Do not leave the safe location or assembly point until law enforcement authorities have instructed you to do so.

Adapted from Department of Homeland Security publication “Active Shooter: How to Respond” published 2008.