How to be Prepared for Mass Shootings

The has us thinking about “active shooters”. The term active shooter came about after the shootings at Columbine High School which forced law enforcement to rethink our response to incidents where a determined bad guy is in a building shooting innocent victim. There is usually no pattern or method to their victim selection, they are simply intent on killing as many people as possible.

Our officers train regularly on active shooter response. The department maintains two rapid response vehicles which are driven by our supervisors and on the street 24/7. Those vehicles carry specialized weapons, tactical vests, helmets and shields. When our officers respond to an active shooter, the goal is to quickly gear up, enter the area and neutralize the shooter.

While our officers are well-trained and ready to respond, it’s just as important that potential victims have a plan and think about what they could do to avoid injury in such a situation.

First and foremost (we preach this in all crime prevention situations) BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS. How would you get out if a man with a gun walked in and started shooting? Where would you go if a fire started? Think about it. How many times have you gone to church, a play, sporting event….or a movie? Of those times, how many times have you even thought about where the exits are, much less how you would escape.

Part of awareness also involves watching what is going on around you. That “gut feeling” you get is your fight/flight response. Your brain usually knows you’re in danger before you realize it.

Finally, if the unthinkable should happen, have a plan. Chief Sue Riesling of the University of Wisconsin Madison Police led the development of an excellent response model for active shooter incidents. All you need to remember is OUT.

GET OUT – Run. Get out of the area and keep running until you’re in a safe place. Don’t wait! Run.

CALL OUT –  Call 9-1-1 to alert police to the shooter’s location. If you can’t speak, leave the line open. Report as much detail as possible about your location and about the shooter(s).

HIDE OUT – If you can’t get out, find a safe place to hide. If there is no way to get out or hide, playing dead could save your life.

KEEP OUT –  If you are in a room you cannot leave, barricade the door to keep the shooter out. Close and lock all doors and windows, shut blinds, turn off all lights, get down on the floor and/or behind adequate cover (i.e. concrete walls, thick desks, filing cabinets).

TAKE OUT: If there is no way out your last resort might be to fight and try to take the shooter out. Grab whatever can be used as a weapon and fight for your life.