Emergency Preparedness Educational Series: Active Shooter

Agenda Objectives Why am I Here? Historical and Current Trends Personal Safety Run | Hide | Fight University Notification When Law Enforcement Arrives

Objectives To understand the definition of an active shooter incident and its historical and current trends To become familiar with statistics regarding active shooter incidents at Institutions of Higher Learning To become better familiar with personal safety and how to respond in the event of an active shooter

Why am I Here? “Because active shooter situations are often over within minutes, before law enforcement arrives on scene, individuals must be prepared mentally and physically to deal with active shooter situations” 49% of the time, attacks end before law enforcement arrive Most incidents last 5 minutes or less

Survival Mindset – Trained vs. Untrained Trained Anxious Recall what they have learned Preparing to act as they have rehearsed Untrained Panic Fall into disbelief Possible denial Be trained not untrained

Definition “An Active Shooter is an individual engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a confined and populated area; in most cases, active shooters use firearm(s) and there is no pattern or method to their selection of victims.” US Department of Homeland Security

Events on the Rise Frequency of incidents occurring annually are on the rise FBI study from 2000 – 2013 on Active Shooter Incidents nationwide 160 over 14 years 12 incidents were at Institutions of Higher Education Between 2000 – 2006, average of 6.4 events per year Between 2007 – 2013, average of 16.4 events per year

Events on the Rise

Incidents in Higher Education 57% of targeted violence occurs either in residence halls, offices, or classrooms Only 3% involved a “traveling” attacker that moved between buildings 99% of incidents involve only one attacker Overwhelmingly, attackers are male

Incidents in Higher Education Mental health is an integral component of on-campus incidents In 31% of incidents, “concerning behaviors” were observed by friends, family, professors, or law enforcement Paranoid ideas, delusional statements, changes in personality, disciplinary problems, depression, suicidal ideation, threats of violence, and interest in or acquisition of weapons Most prevalent motivating factors or triggers were related to either an intimate relationship (33.9%) or retaliation for specific actions (13.7%)

Personal Safety – Before an Incident Be aware of your environment and any possible dangers Take note of the two nearest exits in any facility you visit Ask yourself the “what if?” questions Will enable you to develop effective response strategies Practice, practice, practice

Run | Hide | Fight Current industry standard as a best practice Developed by Department of Homeland Security Adopted by all levels of government Standard across Higher Education Designed to assist in quickly determining the most reasonable way to protect your life if faced with this situation Likely to serve as leaders – others will follow

Run If there is an accessible escape path, attempt to evacuate Have an escape route and plan in mind Evacuate regardless of whether others agree to follow Leave your belongings behind If possible, help others escape but do not let them hinder you Prevent others from entering the area Keep hands visible, follow law enforcement instructions Call Public Safety at x2911 ( and 911 when safe Allows for Public Safety Officers to respond more quickly and assist arriving SFPD officers

Hide If evacuation is not possible, find a place to hide where shooter is less likely to find you Hiding place should: Be out of view Provide protection if shots are fired in your direction Not trap or restrict your movement options

Hide If active shooter is nearby: Try to enter an office or room with door and lock, if possible – blockade with heavy furniture if possible Close any windows and shades Turn off all lights Silence your cell phone Turn off any source of noise, remain quiet Hide behind large items

Hide When sheltering-in-place (hiding) Remain secure until directed by a law enforcement officer, a USF Public Safety Officer, or notification from USF Alert Do not open the door for anyone other than a law enforcement officer or a USF Public Safety Officer Do not respond to any voice commands until you can verify with certainty that they are being issued by a law enforcement officer or a USF Public Safety Officer

Fight As a last resort, and only when your life is in imminent danger, attempt to disrupt and/or incapacitate the active shooter Act as aggressively as possible against the active shooter Improvise weapons from nearby objects Yell Commit to your actions

University Notification Alert USF System that allows Public Safety to send emergency messages to the USF Community SMS text, phone call, Messages to be sent to all registered devices “ALL CLEAR” notices How do I know if I am registered?

University Notification

When Law Enforcement Arrives Purpose is to stop active shooter as soon as possible Will proceed to the area in which the last shots were fired First to arrive will NOT stop to help injured persons Additional rescue teams following initial officers will treat/remove injured persons May arrive in teams of four May arrive in regular patrol uniform or more likely tactical equipment Bulletproof vests, Kevlar helmets, etc. May be armed with rifles, shotguns, and handguns Additionally may use pepper spray or tear gas to control situation Officers may shout commands and assist individuals to the ground for their safety

When Law Enforcement Arrives Remain calm and follow officers’ instructions Put down any items in your hands Immediately raise hands and spread fingers Keep hands visible at all times Avoid making quick movements toward officers Avoid pointing, screaming, and/or yelling Do not stop to ask officers for help/direction

Once in a Safe Location Likely held in a staging area by law enforcement until situation is under control Potential witnesses will be identified and questioned

Thank You Eric Giardini Director of Campus Resilience