In 2021, there have been more than 1,800 people injured or killed in mass shootings, and some weren’t as public. (1-2) The FBI designated 40 shootings in 2020 as active shooter incidents. Thirty-eight people were
killed and 126 wounded, excluding the shooters. U.S. government agencies—including the White House, U.S. Department of Justice/Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Department of Education, and U.S. Department of Homeland Security/Federal Emergency Management Agency—define an active shooter as “an individual actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a confined and populated area.” In an active shooter situation, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security recommends the following:
• Be aware of your surroundings and any possible dangers.
• Take note of the two nearest exits in any facility you visit.
• 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 911 when it is safe to do so.
“Run,” “Hide,” and “Fight” are the actions that both the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security recommend in an active shooter situation. Each action is explained in further detail below:
RUN and escape, if possible.
If possible, attempt to evacuate the premises. Be sure to:
• Have an escape route and plan in mind.
• Evacuate regardless of whether others agree to follow.
• Keep your hands visible when engaging with law enforcement.
• Follow the instructions of any police officers.
• Do not attempt to move wounded people.
• Call 911 when you are safe.
HIDE, if escape is not possible
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 view.
• Provide protection if shots are fired in your direction (i.e., an office with a
closed and locked door).
• Can prevent an active shooter from entering. (i.e. you should be able to 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 (radios, televisions).
• Hide behind large items (cabinets, desks).
• Remain quiet.
• Dial 911, 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.
FIGHT is an absolute last resort.
As a last resort, 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.
If there is more than one Active Shooter and/or if the Active Shooter has other weapons in addition to a gun, the Run, Hide, and Fight method still applies. (3)
Active shooter situations are unpredictable and evolve quickly. Typically, the immediate response of law enforcement is required to stop the shooting and prevent harm to victims. Because active shooter situations are often over before law enforcement arrives on the scene, (within 10 to 15 minutes) individuals must be prepared, both mentally and physically, to deal with an active shooter situation.
After
• Keep hands visible and empty.
• Know that law enforcement’s first task is to end the incident, and they may have to pass injured along the way.
• Officers may be armed with rifles, shotguns, and/or handguns and may use pepper spray or tear gas to control the situation.
• Officers will shout commands and may push individuals to the ground for their safety.
• Follow law enforcement instructions and evacuate in the direction they come from unless otherwise instructed.
Consider seeking professional help for you and your family to cope with the long-term effects of the trauma. If needed. (4)
Sources
(1-2) https://www.nytimes.com/article/mass-shootings-2021.html
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/07/07/2021-has-already-been-very-bad-year-mass-shootings/
(3) https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/2020-10/fema_scenario_1_active_shooter_TTX_answer_key-01102020.pdf
(4) https://gema.georgia.gov/plan-prepare/storms-disasters/active-shooter
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TeOdxKozra0&t=80s
