Active Shooter

If an active shooter is reported or encountered:

RUN

• If you are outside a building near the threat, go to nearest cover immediately.
• If you are inside the building and you are confident you know the shooter’s location and have a clear path to an exit, evacuate immediately and take others with you if possible.

HIDE

• If you are inside a building and the shooter(s) location is unknown, the safest option is normally to barricade:
  • If you are unsure that you can safely exit the building, secure the area by following these tips:
    • lock and barricade doors,
    • stay away from doors or windows,
    • turn off lights,
    • block windows,
    • turn off radios and computer monitors,
    • keep yourself out of sight (take cover/protection from bullets by using concrete walls or filing cabinets), and
    • silence your cell phone.
• What to report to 911:
  • your specific location.
  • number of people at your location.
  • number of injured and types of injuries.
  • assailant(s) – location, number of suspects, race/gender, clothing description, physical features, types of weapons, backpack, shooter’s identity (if known), separate explosions from gunfire, etc.

FIGHT

• As a last resort, and only if your life is in danger
  • Attempt to incapacitate the shooter.
  • Act with physical aggression
  • Improvise weapons.
  • Commit to your actions.

Be prepared for the police response:

• Follow all instructions given by police officers
• Understand their first actions will be to address the threat.
• Make sure empty hands are in plain view.

Self-report for tracking

• Attempt to contact your immediate family. (it is good practice to designate a common point of contact that your family & friends know to call)
• Provide information to university officials for rosters upon request.
• Register on the emergency database designed to share information in an emergency at reconnect.utk.edu.

• If unable to register online, call the university safe line at 865-656-7233 to be added to the database.

Click this link to watch a Department of Homeland Security funded video http://tiny.utk.edu/shooter.video