Emergency procedures: shooting situation

Shooting situation: active shooter/crime in orogress

• If you can safely do so without drawing attention to yourself, call 315-312-5555 or 911.
• Do not panic. Remain calm.
• Note and remember physical characteristics of the shooter, direction of travel, multiple shooters, type of weapon, etc. Convey that information as soon as possible, without compromising your own safety, to police/emergency responders.
• If in a safe location away from the shooting, remain there, use cover and hide if possible.
• Cover means putting a solid barrier between yourself and the shooter. This can be a solid wall, a thick wooden desk, an engine block in a car or anything solid enough to stop bullets from penetrating.
• If an opportunity presents to escape, be willing to act quickly to run away from the scene and call 315-312-5555 or 911.
• If necessary, and the shooter is near and danger is imminent, consider acting with others to overpower the shooter if the option presents itself. Use any weapon that is available to you.                             
• If injured, try to stop bleeding wounds by and maintaining direct pressure. 

Hostage situation

• If the shooter is not aware you are present, remain quiet and hidden. Do not draw attention to yourself.
• Do as the shooter demands.
• If the shooter asks you a question, answer directly and concisely.
• Do not look at the shooter directly but try to remember any details as far as physical characteristics.
• If the shooter demands money or other valuables, give them up quickly with no hesitance or resistance. 

Active shooter incident - community response checklist 

Secure immediate area:

• Lock and barricade doors.
• Turn off lights.
• Close blinds.
• Block windows.
• Turn off radios and computer monitors.
• Keep occupants calm, quiet and out of sight.
• Keep yourself out of sight and take adequate cover/protection, i.e. concrete walls, thick desks, filing cabinets (cover may protect you from bullets).
• Silence cell phones.
• Place signs in exterior windows to identify the location of injured persons.
• Shelter in place. 

Unsecuring an area:

• Consider risks before un-securing rooms.
• Remember, the shooter will not stop until they are engaged by an outside force.
• Attempts to rescue people should only be attempted if it can be accomplished without further endangering the persons inside a secured area.
• Consider the safety of masses vs. the safety of a few.
• If doubt exists for the safety of individuals inside the room, the area should remain secured.

 Be aware that the 911 system will likely be overwhelmed. Program the University Police phone number (315.312.5555) into cell phone for emergency use, prior to reporting an emergency. 

What to report:

• Your name and address
• Your specific location, building name and office/room number
• Number of people at your specific location
• Injuries - number injured, types of injuries
• Assailant(s) - location, number of suspects, race/gender, clothing description, physical features, type of weapons (long gun or handgun), backpack, shooters identity if known, separate explosions from gunfire, etc.