1. McMaster University Active Shooter Incidents
Lockdown Training for Staff and Faculty
Active Shooter Incidents
The Community Response

2. Training Objectives Define the term “active shooter”
Understand what to expect from responding law enforcement officers
Understand what you can do to protect yourself and others from an active shooter

3. The Active Shooter/Threat Defined
An assailant whose activity is immediately causing death and serious injury
The threat is not contained and there is immediate risk of death and injury
The assailant may not necessarily be using a firearm, and the same principles apply to any “active” threat, not just a shooter

4. Identifying and Preventing Potential Situations
Be aware of people exhibiting any of the following:
Writing about death and killing
Drastic changes in personality or behavior
Isolation, depression
Unusual change in grades or work performance
If you are aware of someone exhibiting these behaviours, refer to the following for more information. Click on the “Persons of Concern” tab.

5. Active Shooter Incidents
Based on Past Incidents, we understand that:
Active shooter incidents will seem spontaneous and victims will not know they are targets until they are attacked
Active shooter incidents occur in target rich environments, and from the outset suspects rapidly take human life
The shooter may or may not have specific intended victims
The shooter will continue to move throughout the building/area until stopped by law enforcement, suicide, or other intervention

6. Law Enforcement Response
McMaster University Special Constables and Hamilton Police have adopted procedures and developed plans based on Internationally accepted best practices.
You should understand law enforcement’s response so you can take protective measures

7. Law Enforcement Response
Change in tactics by law enforcement since 1999
Police engage active threat immediately using “Immediate Rapid Deployment” tactics, instead of attempting to contain scene and negotiating.
Losses can be mitigated with community preparedness training and response during actual event

8. Law Enforcement Response
Hamilton Police will immediately respond to the area, assisted by McMaster Special Constables
The goal of the Police is to locate and stop the shooter. Any injured may not be immediately assisted or evacuated until this is accomplished.
If you cannot escape, the safest place for you to be is inside a secure room
It is important for you to convey to others that help is on the way. Remain inside the secure area

9. Law Enforcement Response
Evacuation
Once the shooter is contained, Police and McMaster Special Constables will begin treatment and evacuation of the injured
Safety corridors will be established. This may be time consuming
Remain in secure areas until instructed otherwise
You may be searched and you may be instructed to keep your hands on your head as you are evacuated
You may be escorted out of the building by law enforcement personnel

10. Staff and Faculty Response
Your actions will influence others
Stay calm
Assure others that you and the police are working to protect them

11. Alerts and Notification
Campus wide outdoor warning system
Emergency messages on LCD Screens and campus computers
Text Message and alerts to entire campus community

12. Outdoor Siren Alert System
Installed in 2008, and has been expanded to include MUSC, DBAC and MDCL.
Sample siren tone

13. LCD Screens
LCD Screens in student residences and many other campus buildings

14. Desktop Alerts
Public computers on campus are running a program to pick up the same alerts that are shown on the Digital signage in buildings.
The “Alertus” program is available for departments to download for free

15. Mass Notification System
Mass text/ Notification System

16. Communications Two-way communications upgrades
Improvements and additions to Assistance Phone system
Campus wide trunked radio system

17. Other Campus Developments
Lockable classrooms
Information for staff, faculty and students

18. Campus Lockdown
A lockdown is intended to minimize access and visibility. It involves quickly sheltering students, faculty and staff in secure locations.
When you hear the Lockdown siren:
Anyone in immediate danger should attempt to flee
Anyone in a safe location follows “lockdown” procedure and locks or attempt to barricade door
Signs are posted in classrooms as a reminder

20. Your Role in a Lockdown All McMaster students, staff and faculty…
Secure the immediate area – whether classroom, bathroom, or office
Lock the door. This may require advanced planning to ensure ability to lock the door
Classrooms are in the process of having locks installed
Many doors in university buildings are solid core, and many walls are brick. This may provide some protection
Block the door using whatever is available - desks, file cabinets, books, other furniture…
If the assailant enters your room and leaves, lock/barricade the door behind him

21. Your Role, continued
Do not unlock your area of refuge until the “All Clear” is given by Police and Security.
The assailant may bang on the door and yell for help to entice you to open the door
Remember the safety of the masses versus the safety of a few
If there is any doubt to the safety of the individuals inside the room, keep the door locked. Police and Special Constables or other staff will have keys when they clear the area – no need for you to open the door.
The “All Clear” will be announced via text/ notification, LCD Screens and by Police, Security and other staff members going door to door with keys.

22. Your Role, continued Doors, Windows, Openings, and Noise Close blinds
Block windows
Turn off radios and computer monitors if necessary
Silence cell phones
Place signs in exterior windows to identify the location of injured persons
Signs can be placed in interior doors, windows, but remember that the assailant can also see these
Reassure and attempt to keep occupants calm and quiet
After securing the room. People should be positioned out of sight and behind items that might offer additional protection - walls, desks, file cabinets, etc.

23. Unsecured Areas
If you find yourself in an open area, immediately seek any available protection
Is escape your best option?
If in doubt, find a safe area and secure it the best way you can

24. Nothing to Hide Behind?
Stay Low

25. University Staff Roles
Special Constables and Police will require assistance managing the flow of people and vehicles into and out of the scene.
IF YOU HAVE SAFELY EVACUATED, AND ONLY IF IT IS SAFE TO DO SO -- Fire Wardens and any other staff willing to assist should approach the nearest McMaster Special Constable and identify themselves.
The Special Constable in charge will assign duties as required.

26. Contacting Emergency Personnel
“911” and “88” from campus phones
911 and 88 may be overwhelmed
busy signal
multiple rings
(direct line to campus Security)
Emergency Phones (red poles)
Elevator Emergency Phones

27. What to Report
If you are locked down, and able to contact Security, report the following:
Your specific location
Building name
Office/classroom number
classroom doors are all marked on the upper right corner of the doorframe
Number of people with you
Injuries
Number of people injured
Types of injuries
Dispatcher may provide instructions on how to care for injured until medical assistance can be provided

28. What to Report, continued
Assailant(s)
Specific location
Number of assailant(s)
Race and Gender
Clothing color and style
Physical features – height, weight, facial hair, glasses
Type of weapons (rifle/shotgun/ handgun/knife/bat, etc.)
Backpack?
Do you recognize the assailant? What’s his/her name?
Have you heard explosions separate from gunshots?

29. The Aftermath
Information will be released to the McMaster community by McMaster University Public Relations as quickly as possible
If you are in the affected building(s), the entire area will be treated as a crime scene
Once you have been evacuated you will not be permitted to retrieve items or access the crime scene
After evacuation you will be directed to or taken to a holding area
medical care, interviewing, counseling, etc.

30. Summary Active Shooter - Lockdown Law enforcement response
Objective is to neutralize threat
Evacuation after threat has ended
Follow up medical care, interview, counseling
Investigation
Staff and Faculty should take a leadership role
Seek secure area
Calm, reassure, and quiet others
Report the incident
Treat injured

31. Closing Statement We cannot predict the origin of the next threat
Assailants in some recent incidents across the North America were neither students or employees
It is up to you to take steps to ensure your safety and the safety of those around you when this type of incident occurs

32. Emergency Services Coordinator
Questions?
Emergency Services Coordinator
Sergeant Cameron Smith
Ext
Audit your workplace/office
Present active shooter material directly to your staff
Presentation tailored to suit your needs and schedule