Reporting Procedure
If you witness an armed attacker on campus (or any person with a weapon) call 911 as soon as possible.
Provide the following information to the dispatcher or law enforcement official:
- Location of the active shooter or armed individual
- Number of shooters or suspects
- Physical description of suspect(s)
- Number and type of weapons in their possession
- Number of potential victims at the location
Learn How to Respond
If a violent attack is threatening the ACC community, ACC Police will implement their response procedure with other law enforcement agencies as needed. Their response is designed to maximize your safety. Information will be provided to you using some or all of the emergency communication systems.
Here are some things you can do…
- RUN. Do not hesitate. If possible, flee the area safely and avoid danger. Go to the closest, safest exit. If the armed subject is outside the building, move to a core area of the building, away from outside doors and windows. If time permits, call 911.
- HIDE. Keep the attacker away from you. Hide behind a large heavy object or lock and barricade doors, turn off lights, get on the floor and out of the line of fire/create make-shift barricades for those who cannot get on the floor. Remain quiet and hidden. Silence your cell phone, including the vibration setting.
- Prepare to FIGHT. You have the legal right to defend yourself. Commit to a plan of action should the armed subject or active shooter enter your space. Be aggressive. Improvise weapons, create distractions. You are not helpless. What you do matters.
- Remain in place until an official “ALL CLEAR” instruction is given. Listen and comply with police commands. It will be sent via all available emergency communication systems.
Your response depends on the situation. The video and procedures below provide strategies to survive an active shooter event. Recognize that RUN, HIDE, FIGHT is not a sequence. Choose your actions based on the circumstances. You can survive.
When Law Enforcement Arrives
Law enforcement’s goal is to locate, contain, and stop the armed subject or active shooter as soon as possible.
- Officers, usually in teams of four, will proceed directly to the area in which the last shots were heard.
- Officers may wear regular patrol uniforms or external bulletproof vests, helmets, and other tactical equipment.
- Officers may be armed with rifles, shotguns, and handguns.
- Officers may use pepper spray or tear gas to control the situation.
- Officers may shout commands and push individuals to the ground for their safety.
React properly when law enforcement arrives.
- Remain calm, and follow officers’ instructions.
- Put down any items in your hands (e.g., 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, or yelling.
- Do not ask officers for help or direction when evacuating, just proceed in the direction from which officers are entering the premises.
The first officers to arrive to the scene will not stop to help injured persons. Expect rescue teams comprising additional officers and emergency medical personnel to follow. These rescue teams will treat and remove any injured persons. They may also call upon individuals to assist in removing the wounded from the premises. When you have reached a safe location or an assembly point, law enforcement will likely keep you that area 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.
Remember
- If the fire alarm is activated, do not evacuate unless you detect smoke or fire or you are instructed to evacuate via ACC Emergency Alert.
- There may be more than one active shooter.
- You may be under lockdown for a long time. Try to conserve your phone’s battery life and minimize using it so that emergency responders have a strong signal for their communications.
- Be careful not to make changes to the crime scene since law enforcement authorities will investigate the area later.
- You may be held for questioning by law enforcement authorities. You are required to comply.
TRIGGER WARNING: This video contains a simulated Active Shooter situation with simulated gunfire. The video contains scenes that some viewers may find disturbing. You can request a transcript of this training to review as alternative.
Helpful Links
- DHS Active Shooter website — Department of Homeland Security Active Shooter Preparedness
- Training video — Actions to take if confronted with an active shooter scenario