/Institutions/Donnelly-College/json/2025-2026/Employee-Handbook-local.json

/Institutions/Donnelly-College/json/2025-2026/Employee-Handbook.json

Active Shooter Emergency Response

Call 911 as soon as it is safe to do so.

* When law enforcement arrives, their first priority will be to contain the shooter, not helping victims. Do not stop officers to ask for help or directions when evacuating. 

1. Provide as much information as possible to the 911 dispatcher: 
   a. Number of shooters
   b. Location of shooters
   c. Physical description of shooters
   d. Number of victims and potential victims
   e. Types of weapons held by shooters 
2. Evacuate the Area - If you can safely leave the area, do so 
   a. Have an escape route and plan in mind. 
   b. Leave your belongings behind. 
   c. Keep your hands visible 
3. Hide – If you are unable to leave the area, hide. 
   a. Hide in an area out of the shooter's view. Give critical priority to areas you can best secure. 
   b. Block entry to your hiding place. 
   c. Lock the doors, if possible  
   d. Move objects in front of doors, if possible 
   e. Silence cell phones 
   f. Remain in place until released by law enforcement officer
4. Take Action – If unable to leave the area or hide, take action only as a last resort. 
   a. Attempt to incapacitate the shooter 
   b. Act with physical aggression 
   c. Look for items to throw at the shooter or to use in an attack. 
5. Evacuate the premises as quickly as it is safe to do so. 
   • Remain calm and quiet. 
   • Follow instructions. 
   • Keep your hands visible at all times.

If you are caught in an open or exposed area, you must decide upon a course of action:

• Running
  If you think you can safely make it out of the area, then do so. If you decide to run, stay low and do not run in a straight line. Attempt to keep objects (trees, vehicles, trash cans, etc.) between you and the hostile person. When away from immediate area of danger, summon help and warn others.
• Hiding
  Look for a safe and secure hiding area. Once in place try and remain calm. Stay hidden until you can make contact with emergency personnel.
• Playing Dead
  If the intruder is causing death or physical injury to others and you are un-able to run or hide you may choose to assume a prone position and lay as still as possible.
• Fighting
  Your last option if you are caught in the open and are in close proximity of the intruder is to fight back. This is dangerous but depending on your situation this could be your last option.
• If you are caught by the intruder and are not going to fight back, obey all commands and avoid eye contact.

Once emergency personnel have arrived and taken over the situation, obey all commands.  Once the threat is over, render first aid to injured near you and summon emergency aid responders.