Given the recent tragic shooting in Orlando, my office distributed this presentation with guidance from the NYPD on what to do in an active shooter situation.

1. Definition:
An active shooter is an armed person who has used deadly
physical force on other persons and continues to do so while
having unrestricted access to additional victims.
Active shooter situation are unpredictable and evolve quickly.
Active shooters often look for soft targets like malls,
churches, or schools due to their low security posture and
high access to potential victims.

2. AVOID:
 Evacuate the building immediately if it can be done
in a safe manner
 Do NOT carry any personal belongings with you
and avoid elevators and escalators if possible
 If you are located in a high-rise building and the
shooter is below. Ascend as many floors as
possible and move away from entrance ways to
more secure location
 When evacuating in the stairwell, stay pressed to
the wall to allow responding officers room to room
to ascend quickly and safely

3. BARRICADE:
If it is possible to do safely, move to a
central and secure area of the building
Locate an area with ballistic cover, not just
visual concealment. Cover stops/slows
bullets, Concealment does not. Think big-
Soda machines, Copy machines, etc.

4. Block the door with large heavy objects to
make entry as difficult as possible (desk,
tables, file cabinets, furniture, books, etc.
If the only means available to barricade the
door is with your body, attempt to stay
lower than average waist level to avoid any
shots fired through the door by the shooter

5. CONFRONT:
There is no single procedure that can be
recommended in this situation. If possible:
• If hiding or flight is impossible, remain quiet or
“play dead” to avoid detection

6. Last resort options if you come face to face
with the assailant are twofold:
• Attempt to quickly overpower the individual with
force in the most violent manner possible.
• If you are with other people you should work as
collective group to overcome the shooter.
Remember, the attacker will usually continue
to shoot victims until they are stopped.

7. An active shooter is an individual actively
engaged in killing or attempting to kill
people in a confined and populated area,
typically through the use of firearms.
Victims are selected at random
The event is unpredictable and evolves
quickly
Law enforcement is usually required to end
an active shooter situation

8. 1. RUN
 Have an escape route and plan in mind
 Leave your belongings behind
 Keep your hands visible
2. HIDE
 Hide in an area out of the shooter’s view
 Block entry to your hiding place and lock the
doors
 Silence your cell phone and/or pager

9. 3. FIGHT
As a last resort and only when your life is
in imminent danger
 Attempt to incapacitate the shooter
Act with physical aggression and throw
items at the active shooter

10. Remain calm and follow instructions
Put down any items in your hands (i.e.,
bags, jackets)
Raise hands and spread fingers
Keep hands visible at all times
Avoid quick movements toward officers
such as holding on to them for safety
Avoid pointing, screaming or yelling
Do not stop to ask officers for help or
direction when evacuating

11. The officers primary attention will be
focused on your hands. If you meet an
officer, keep your hands out, open,
above your head, and most importantly,
EMPTY

12. DO NOT CARRY ANY PACKAGES OR
ITEMS THAT COULD BE CONFUSED AS
A WEAPON OR DEVICE
Do not attempt to run towards or grab onto
officers
Resist the urge to turn suddenly or make
any sudden movements

13. Understand that the officer's primary
mission is to neutralize the shooter.
Therefore, even if you are injured, officers
may initially pass you by in order to contain
the threat. They will return.
Once evacuated, be prepared to be
detained for further questioning.

14. Recognize that depending upon the scene,
threat, and size of the facility, it may take
several hours for the officers to clear the
area and find you. Until contact is made,
remain calm, quiet and alert.

15. 97% are males vs. 3% female
Number of attackers:
• 98% solo action vs. 2% 2+ multiple shooters, i.e..,
Columbine
Weapons used
• 64% one weapon vs. 36% two + weapons

16. Majority of incidents by age of attackers
15-19 years or age crimes committed in
schools settings
40-44 years or age crimes committed in
workplace settings

17. 230 Active Cases
 Academic 22% (50.6)
 Familial 6% (13.8)
 Other 8% (1.6)
 None 26% (59.8)
• Random hits no connection to shooter
 Professional 38% (87.4)
• Work related shooting incidents

18. 230 Active Cases
99 (43%) Applied Force
37 (16%) No Applied Force
93 (40%) Shooter Suicide
1 (<1%) Attacker Fled

19. Procedures:
Perform vulnerability assessment of your
physical infrastructure
Assess facility information online and or
social media about details of your
office/site

20. Institute ”Violence In The Workplace”
procedures
Institute Zero Tolerance for stated or
presumed/perceived threats
Report all Threatening behavior to your HR
representative

21. Conduct Active Shooter Drills
Pre-Plan muster locations and coordinate
practice drills
Post evacuation routes and muster points
Designate safe rooms, i.e., thick walls,
solid doors, few windows, first aid kits,
install duress alarms

22. Systems that can be employed:
• Installation of CCTV cameras
• Centralized Security Command Center
• Remote viewing of all entrances
• Key pad locks for doors
• Entry cards (Key cards)
• Biometric Scanners
• Duress Alarms
• Notification & Communication infrastructure &
electronic alerts

23. Training is the key in keeping us safe
• Recognize threat indicators
• Encourage reporting of threats
• Provide critical information for 1st Responders with
“Welcome Kits” (Bldg. drawings or layouts, pass
keys, electronic cards, etc.,)

24. Training:
 1st Option – Evacuate or Avoid
• Use stairwells where applicable
• Use exterior doors and install panic bars
• Keep hands open, empty and above your head when
Police arrive
 2nd Option – Barricade & Hide
• Seek shelter in place
• Lock door if applicable
• Remain calm and silent

25. 3rd Option – Take Action Against the
Shooter
• Act quickly & aggressively
• Use improvised weapons, (scissors, anything that
can inflict maximum amount of pain and damage)
• Collectively act aggressive

26. Attitude
 Commitment to improve security
Assessment
 Strength vs. Weakness
• Physical Security
• Procedures of Corporate / Site EAP
• Situational Awareness
Action
 Implement changes in lifestyles and
workplace procedures

27. Be sensitive to the possibility of
surveillance around the office
Immediately report unusual or suspicious
activity, “Remember, see something, say
something”
Notify and partner with Building Security
Manager
Have a EAP & Contact Numbers (phone
tree)

28. Soda machines
• hide behind or use as a shield against rounds
Copiers
• Xerox, Fuji, etc.
Layer chairs, filling cabinets, desks
• anything that will impede entrance into your room
that you’ve sheltered in