Active Shooter / Mass Casualty Event Response
A mass casualty event has previously focused on situations involving an active shooter, intent on killing a large number of people. Deranged perpetrators also use vehicles, explosives, and other methods. No matter which implements offenders use, your options are: Run, Hide, or Fight.
What you can do-
A short six minute video was created by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on how to respond to an active shooter.
Recommendations for people during a mass casualty event are:
Run:
Get out of the building or area and go to a place not visible to the offender. Leave your belongings behind and keep your hands visible.
Hide:
If you can’t evacuate, hide. Block entry to your hiding place. Lock doors and stay away from windows. Silence cell phones. Stay quiet until Police come for you.
Fight:
Attempt to stop the assailant by whatever means possible.
Police Response
- Police will go as quickly as possible to the threat and stop the offender. First responding officers will not stop to assist the injured.
- Officers may be in plain clothes or uniforms. They will have identification.
- Do what the officers say and keep your hands visible at all times.
- Tell the officers where the offender was last seen, the description of the offender, including weapon information.