RISK INSIGHT: Active Shooter Survival Tips – Part 4

Property & Casualty, Risk

Facing an Armed Intruder or Active Shooter – Part 4

Is everyone in your organization prepared to deal with an armed intruder or an active shooter?  This M3 blog series can help.  Each post will share life-saving tips to help you increase your chances of survival when the unthinkable happens.

RUN

Whenever possible, get out of the area quickly and safely creating distance between yourself and the shooter – simply stated, RUN!  Always run away from the sound of gunfire. 

  • Take cover. If you are in a hallway or open space with the shooter, create more distance between you and the shooter by placing large heavy items to create cover ‘cover.’ Look for items that will stop bullets such as steel, concrete, large heavy planters filled with dirt, etc.
  • At times all you may have is ‘concealment’— concealment is beneficial, but it only protects you from the shooter’s view and will not stop bullets. Concealment objects include drywall, bushes, hollow core doors, most furniture, etc. Understand that, while better than nothing, concealment is not the safest option; once the shooter knows you are on the other side of the concealment item you could be shot directly through that item.
  • When running from a shooter, create distance and 90 degree angles between you and the shooter. This can be accomplished by moving into opposing hallways, rooms, alcoves, doorways, etc.
  • Once you have evacuated the immediate area, scatter from others and run as far away as you can. Once you are safe, call ‘911.’
  • Be prepared to provide exact details to the ‘911’ operator. When you call ‘911’ don’t assume the person you are speaking to knows your exact location; some ‘911’ calls go to a county wide dispatch center.  Inform the operator of the city and your exact location,  “I’m at ABC Company, 123 Main Street, Wausau Wisconsin and there is an active shooter in the building.”  If possible give description of shooter’s appearance, weapon types, location, direction of travel in building, location of known injured, etc.

Source: M3 Senior Risk Manager, Ted Hayes and Captain Mike Bolender of the Peaceful Warrior Training Group  partnered on M3’s “Prepared, Not Scared” seminar series. Content from those sessions is shared in this blog series.

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