Emergency preparedness: what to do if a school shooting happens on campus
Run. Hide. Fight. These are the steps the Department of Homeland Security’s Catastrophic Planning Initiative encourages students to take during a school shooting, also known as an active shooting.
While school shootings are an unlikely tragedy, having a plan in place could be the difference between survival and catastrophe.
“It is hard to put yourself in that situation, but these are things we need to be thinking about nowadays and really need to plan for,” said Jenny Wissenbach, a student at Utah State University.
School shootings are generally over in as little as 15 minutes. This is why having a plan in place for such a disaster is crucial, according to the Department of Homeland Security. Threats such as school shooters may not always be obvious, but a plan may help alleviate disaster.
USU campus police have a school shooting protocol, but ask that students are also individually prepared if the situation were to arise.
“I like to think I would know what to do if I heard gunshots, but I hope if the time comes I really do,” said Keil Nicholas, a student at USU.
In the unlikely event of a school shooting, USU campus police ask that students take the following precautions laid out by the DHS: run, hide, fight.
Run. If possible, get out of the endangered area as quickly as possible. Encourage others to get out as well. However, do not force others to follow if they don’t want to.
Away from the endangered area, work to prevent others from going into the endangered area.
Once safely out of danger, call 911.
Logan and USU Campus Police investigate a crime scene at The Factory’s parking garage where a young man’s body was found early Tuesday morning.
Hide. If students cannot get out of the endangered area, the next best thing is to hide. Get to a secure hiding spot as soon as possible. A secure hiding spot will completely conceal the student from the shooter’s sight and will shield from gunfire. A secure hiding spot will not trap or hinder the student’s ability to move.
If in an office, turn the lights out and lock the door as quickly and quietly as possible. If there are windows in the office get out of the shooter’s line of sight.
As soon as a secure hiding spot is found, silence phones and stay as quiet as possible.
Fight. If students cannot get out of the endangered area or find a secure place to hide, it may be necessary to physically fight the shooter.
If fighting is the only option, use items around the space as weapons. Act as aggressively as possible towards the shooter. The most important thing to remember if fighting is necessary is to commit to actions, and if fighting with others make sure they are committed as well.
Once the police arrive on the scene, do not point or yell and keep hands visible.
The first responders on the scene of a school shooting are most likely not there to help the injured. They are there to subdue the shooter and make sure nobody else is in danger. Try to remain calm and the next wave of responders will help those who need it and get everyone to safety.
“You are the most essential person for your survival in a disaster such as a school shooting,” said Kat Ainsworth of Range 365. Having a plan in a disaster like this significantly increases chances of survival.
Remember to always reach safety before attempting to help others.
In the case of an emergency such as a school shooting, dial 911.
To talk to the campus police about this topic, visit their site or call (435) 797-2412.
— brianne.sorensen@aggiemail.usu.edu
@SorensenBrianne