Be Prepared for an Active Shooter

UTICA NATIONAL RISK MANAGEMENT ALERT

Recent national tragedies serve as a reminder that the risk of workplace violence is ever present. An active shooter is a person attempting to kill people in a confined or populated area. Active shooters typically have no pattern to their selection of victims.

These attacks can occur at any time at any location including, but not limited to, offices, schools, religious institutions and retail stores. (Department of Homeland Security — DHS)

Prepare Now

• For employers, have a plan, communicate it to your employees and train them on carrying it out.
• Map out places to hide. Rooms without windows, behind solid doors with locks, under desks, and behind heavy furniture – such as large filing cabinets – can make good hiding places.
• If you see suspicious activity, let an authority/security personnel know right away.
• Many places, such as houses of worship, workplaces, and schools, have plans in place. Ask about these plans and become familiar with them. If you participate in an active-shooter drill, talk with your family and friends about what you learned and how to apply it to other locations.
• When you visit a building, such as a shopping mall or healthcare facility, identify two nearby exits. Get in the habit of doing this.

Survive During

• RUN. This is the first and best choice to make as getting away from the shooter/shooters is the top priority. Leave your things behind, run away and, if it’s safe to do so, warn others nearby. Call 911 when you are safe. Describe each shooter, their locations, and weapons as best as you can.
• HIDE. If you cannot get away safely, find a place to hide. Get out of the shooter’s view and stay quiet. Silence your electronic devices and make sure they won’t vibrate. Lock and block doors, close blinds, and turn off the lights. Do not hide in groups; spread out along walls or hide separately to make it more difficult for the shooter. Try to communicate with police silently, such as through text messages or by putting a sign in an exterior window. Stay in place until law enforcement gives you notice that all immediate danger is clear.
• FIGHT. Your last resort when you are in immediate danger is to defend yourself. Commit to your actions and act aggressively to stop the shooter. Ambushing the shooter together with makeshift weapons, such as chairs, fire extinguishers, scissors, and books, can distract and disarm the shooter.

Be Safe After

• Keep hands visible and empty.
• Know that law enforcement’s first task is to end the incident. They may have to pass injured persons along the way.
• Follow law enforcement’s instructions and evacuate in the direction they tell you to.
• Consider seeking professional help for you and your family to cope with the long-term effects of trauma. If the incident happens at your workplace, your employer might provide access to these services.
• Take an active role in your safety.

Advance planning for such events will help your business, your employees and your customers.

Planning information and resources can be found on the following websites:

• Department of Homeland Security, Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency ››
• Ready.Gov – Attacks in Public Places ››
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Workplace Violence ››
  
  

Please contact your Risk Management Representative if you have any questions.

5-R-1395 |  Ed. 05-2021  |  Includes copyrighted material from ISO Services, Inc. with permission.