• Fast, decisive escape is the wisest plan in an active shooting situation.
• 911 should be called and informed about the situation as thoroughly as possible without speculation.

The best way to stay safe in an active shooting situation is to escape.

Escape tactics:

• Run toward an exit, unless the route there crosses the shooter’s path;
• If blocked from the closest exit but in reach of a window, break the window and get out; and
• If in a group, break away from the others.

What not to do:

• Hesitate,
• Stay put,
• Copy the actions of others,
• Run in a group (this can turn a bunch of single targets into one more easily hit large target), or
• Stop to gather belongings or go back for anything.

If others are hiding, frozen with fear, or unsure of what to do, they should be told to leave the area immediately. But if they hesitate or try to gather any belongings, it’s unwise to wait for them.

Pulling the fire alarm might seem like a good idea, but this sends the wrong signal to others in the building and could put them in the shooter’s path. It also summons firefighters rather than police.

Once outside and safe from harm, it’s time to focus on actions to help others, including:

• Preventing people from entering the building, and
• Calling 911.

The 911 dispatcher should not be given assumptions or guesses, but should be told as many facts as possible, such as:

• Location;
• Number of shooters;
• Number of victims;
• Whether any Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) were seen; and
• All available information about the shooter, including:
  • The shooter’s location,
  • The shooter’s appearance,
  • What weapons the shooter is carrying,
  • Whether the shooter is wearing body armor, and
  • Anything the shooter said.