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Responding to an active shooter

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Josh Eikren
  • 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  The 375th Air Mobility Wing participated in an active shooter response exercise June 28 at Scott Air Force Base.

The following terms can help Team Scott respond appropriately to an active shooter emergency:

Active Shooter

Definition: One or more subjects participating in a random shooting spree demonstrating intent on continuously harming others.

Objective: To inflict serious bodily harm or death to everyone they meet.
Situation: Dynamic and rapidly evolving.

Law enforcement's goal: To neutralize the shooter immediately.

Your actions:

In an office or conference room
· Stay where you are.
· Lock or barricade the door, turn off lights, remain silent.
· Without too much noise, attempt to escape through a window.
· When police arrive, keep your hands on your head and follow instructions.

In hallways or corridors
· Get in a room and secure it.
· Don't run through long hallways to get to an exit.

In large rooms, auditoriums, gymnasium, or cubicles:
· Use an exterior exit if available.
· If situation allows, move to a more defendable room.
· If you can't relocate, hide and stay silent.

In open spaces
· Stay alert for possible shooters.
· Look for an appropriate cover location.
· Move away from the affected area until police arrive.

If trapped with the shooter
· Fight:
 · Commit to your actions
 · Only if you are in immediate danger
 · Should be the last thing the shooter expects--buys time for others
· Or flight:
 · Move from cover to cover
 · Run in a zig-zag if in the open

What to expect from security forces
SF is trained to immediately find and neutralize the shooter.
· They will not stop to help wounded.
· They will be moving fast.
· They may be in civilian uniforms or clothing.
· They will treat you as a suspect until they verify you're not.

To help responding SF
· Do not run to them or cling to them.
· Keep your hands where they can see them.
· Give them information on shooter's location, if possible.
· Do not leave the assembly area until released.
· Only use cell phones to report info about the shooter.

Preparation
· Look at your building and prepare a plan of action.
· Look at your exits.
· Look at door locks and furniture in your offices.

Contact SF Operations with questions or for a security assessment of your location at 256-2931.