Emergency Procedures: Active Shooter
GENERAL TIPS
Call USC Police at 911 as soon as possible and relay the following information:
- Location of the incident
- Type of incident
- Subject's physical description
- Subject's location and/or direction of travel
- Weapon information
- Stay on the phone until released by the dispatcher
- If you cannot speak, dial 911 and leave the line open to allow the dispatcher to hear what is going on at your location
- If you can evacuate, do so
- Trust your instincts
IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO EVACUATE
- Take shelter in the nearest room, office, closet (preferably somewhere with a lockable inward opening door)
- Lock and barricade the door with anything you have available (desks, file cabinets, other furniture)
- Cover any windows that may be in or near the door
- Look for alternate escape routes (windows, additional doors, etc.)
- If jumping from a window is a safe or viable option
- Break the window if necessary
- Make an improvised rope from clothing, belts, etc. if necessary
- Hang by your hands to minimize the distance you will fall
- Stay low to the ground and remain as quiet as possible remembering to silence your cell phone
- Do not answer the door for anyone
- Taking out the shooter is a serious decision ONLY YOU can make- maintain a survival mindset
- Position yourself in a location that will allow for the element of surprise if the shooter enters
- Prepare yourself to attack the shooter should he enter by identifying improvised weapons
- Throw items at the shooter's face to cause a distraction and disrupt his aim
- Attack in a group creating multiple points of opposition
- Swarm the shooter and control his extremities and head to control him; pin him to the ground
- Continue the fight until your are certain he is no longer a threat
- Once the shooter is incapacitated Call 911 and advise the police
- Move weapons away from the shooter and use a trash can or other container to control it (do not pick up the weapon)
- Raise your hands and drop to your knees obeying any commands from responding law enforcement
- Provide first aid to injured victims
- Move weapons away from the shooter and use a trash can or other container to control it (do not pick up the weapon)
FOR MORE RESOURCES
- Visit the active shooter page on the Division of Law Enforcement and Safey website (http://www.les.sc.edu/CPCR/Activeshooter.asp)