Active Shooter Preparedness

Tuesday, January 24, 2023

If you are ever in a location where an active shooter is, remember the following 3 steps:

RUN - Run away from the sounds of gunfire and away from the area. If in a building, run outside the building to get to a safe distance away. When you are at a safe distance away, then call 911.

HIDE - If you cannot run, find a room with a locked door and hide. Place items in front of the door to block it from opening, turn off the lights, silence your cell phone. You can call 911 and if you cannot speak, leave it on the speaker phone.

FIGHT - If you have no other option and the active shooter has confronted you, FIGHT. If you are with others, work as a team, use objects around you that could be useful to overpower an active shooter, like a chair, fire extinguisher, or even a pen.

For more information, watch the Active Shooter Education video presented by Portland Police.

Individuals who commit acts of violence using a gun rarely decide to do it “out of nowhere”.

There is usually a Pathway to Violence before an individual commits to using a gun.

Signs of trouble might include increasing erratic, unsafe, or aggressive behavior; discussing hostile feelings against self, individuals, or a group of people; feeling mistreated or having grievances toward a person or group; or increased talk about weapons and seeking out the purchase of them.

While a person might display some of these traits, this does not mean that they will commit an act of violence. Knowledge that someone is thinking about violence does not confirm that a danger exists, but should alert us to the possibility, and that the person may be struggling with a grievance of some sort or otherwise considering violence as a way to solve a problem. Resources are available through healthcare and mental health providers by calling 211. If you have a confirmed knowledge that an act of violence is going to occur at a place and time, call 911 with the information.