Active Shooter Response

Training

Run. Hide. Fight. 

Thank you for taking the time to complete this important safety training. Although active shooter incidents are rare, understanding the best ways to protect yourself and others should an active shooter situation arise can save lives.

The training consists of two videos, which will take about 10 minutes total to complete.

VIDEO 1 — Introduction

Chief Edith Hudson, Marquette University Police Department

 

VIDEO 2 — Run. Hide. Fight.

Department of Homeland Security

 

 

Run. Hide. Fight. — An overview

RUN

Evacuate if possible.

  • If there is considerable distance between you and the gunfire/armed person, quickly move away from the sound of the gunfire/armed person. If the gunfire/armed person is in your building and it is safe to do so, run out of the building and move far away until you are in a secure place to hide.
  • Leave your belongings behind.
  • Keep your hands visible to law enforcement.
  • Take others with you, but do not stay behind because others will not go.
  • Call 911 when it is safe to do so. Do not assume that someone else has reported the incident. The information you provide law enforcement may be critical, e.g., number of shooters, physical description and identification, number and type(s) of weapons, and location of the shooter.

 

HIDE

Hide silently in as safe a place as possible.

  • If the shooter is in close proximity and you cannot evacuate safely, hide in an area out of the armed person’s view.
  • Choose a hiding place with thicker walls and fewer windows, if possible.
  • Lock doors and barricade with furniture, if possible.
  • Turn off lights.
  • Silence phones and turn off other electronics.
  • Close windows, shades and blinds, and avoid being seen from outside the room, if possible.
  • If you are outdoors and cannot run safely, find a place to hide that will provide protection from gunfire such as a brick wall, large trees or buildings.
  • Remain in place until you receive an “all clear” via text, email, the EagleEye app or other official university communication. 

FIGHT

Take action to disrupt or incapacitate the shooter.

  • As a last resort, fight. If you cannot evacuate or hide safely and only when your life is in imminent danger, take action.
  • Attempt to incapacitate or disrupt the actions of the shooter.
  • Act with physical aggression toward the shooter.
  • Use items in your area such as fire extinguishers or chairs.
  • Throw items at the shooter if possible.
  • Call 911 when it is safe to do so.
  • Immediately after an incident:
    • Wait for local law enforcement officers to assist you out of the building, if inside.
    • When law enforcement arrives, students and employees must display empty hands with open palms.

Important notes:

  • Understand that gunfire may sound artificial. Assume that any popping sound could be gunfire.
  • If there are two or more persons in the same place when a violent incident begins, you should spread out in the room to avoid offering the aggressor an easy target.
  • Be mindful that violent attacks can involve any type of weapon, not just a gun. Knives, blunt objects, physical force or explosives can be just as deadly as a gun. The suggested actions provided here are applicable in any violent encounter.
  • Plan ahead: Visualize possible escape routes, including physically accessible routes for students and staff with disabilities and others with limited mobility.

 

Additional resources

Active Shooter: How to Respond booklet (Department of Homeland Security)

Run. Hide. Fight. pocket card for download (Department of Homeland Security)