1. Armed Intruder
RESPONSE TO AN ARMED INTRUDER, ACTIVE SHOOTER, HOSTAGE SITUATION OR VIOLENT INDIVIDUAL THAT CANNOT BE SUBDUED

2. Parameters: Weapons
If any individual is noticed to be in possession of a firearm or other type of weapon within our facilities, contact the Security Department to notify them of the situation. Associates should not attempt to intervene on their own and should always let Security handle this interaction.
All employees should initiate an Armed Intruder by dialing their appropriate emergency response number (555/911) from a SAFE PLACE if:
An individual is showing intent or actively discharging a firearm.
An individual is showing intent on using a weapon or is using an object as a weapon and cannot be subdued.

3. Parameters: Violent or Hostile Individual (no weapon)
If an employee encounters a violent situation where no weapons are visible or suspected they should dial their emergency response number and report a “Security Emergency” or press the nearest Duress Button. Security will respond to the area.
Security may upgrade the Security Emergency to an Armed Intruder if the situation is beyond their ability to control or special assistance is needed.
Security will call or direct someone to dial the emergency response number to call an Armed Intruder.

4. Notification: Switchboard
When an emergency call comes to switchboard for notification of an Armed Intruder, Operators will:
Transfer the caller directly to Police Dispatch then remain on the line to gather and pass along information to Security.
Announce, “Attention all Personnel, Armed Intruder (and the location), take shelter now”, three times via overhead page.
Notify Security via radio.
Notify appropriate staff via pager.
Call the Incident Commander and Alternate.
Relay to responding Law Enforcement the location to meet Security.

5. Notification: Switchboard
Caller should make every attempt to stay on the line until dispatcher hangs up.
When possible, provide the following information:
Location of the armed intruder.
Number of armed intruders, if more than one.
Physical description of the armed intruder/shooter(s).
Number and type of weapons held by the armed intruder/shooter(s).
Number of potential victims at the location.

6. Response: Security
Upon notification of an Armed Intruder, Security will not respond to the location. Officers will:
Dispatch an Officer to meet Law Enforcement.
Other Officers will assist with evacuation of the surrounding areas to prevent expansion of the incident and keep people from entering a dangerous area.
Cooperate with Law Enforcement Personnel.

7. Response: Incident Commander
The Incident Commander will decide the type and level of response:
Incident Commander (Hospital) will coordinate with the Incident Commander (Law Enforcement) to determine necessary actions to ensure maximum safety.
Will initiate Incident Command.
Will direct an evacuation, lockdown, or other responses as needed.

8. Good Practices for Associate Response Include:
If you suspect a potential armed intruder situation, you must quickly determine the most reasonable way to protect your own life. If there is an accessible escape path, attempt to evacuate the premises.
Always have an escape route and plan in mind even if you are just visiting. And, make sure to leave your belongings behind and keep your hands visible.
If evacuation is not possible, you should find a place to hide where the armed intruder is less likely to find you. Block entry to your hiding place and lock the doors. Use heavy items to barricade yourself if possible. And, remember to remain quiet and silence your cell phone or pager.
As a last resort, and only when your life is in imminent danger, you should attempt to incapacitate the shooter by acting with physical aggression and throwing items at the armed intruder.

9. How to Respond
RUN: If there is an accessible escape path, attempt to evacuate the premises.
HIDE: If evacuation is not possible, find a place to hide where the armed intruder is less likely to find you.
FIGHT: As a last resort, and only when your life is in imminent danger, attempt to disrupt and/or incapacitate the armed intruder.
It is important for employees to be trained so that they can react if they are ever confronted with an active shooter situation. As these situations evolve quickly, quick decisions could mean the difference between life and death. If you are in harm’s way, you will need to decide rapidly what the safest course of action is based on the scenario that is unfolding before you.

10. Keeping Yourself Safe While Hiding
If the armed intruder is nearby:
Lock or barricade the door.
Silence your cell phone and/or pager. (Even the vibration setting can give away a hiding position.)
Hide behind large items (i.e., cabinets, desks).
Remain quiet.
Consider the difference between cover and concealment. Cover will protect you from gunfire and concealment will merely hide you from the view of the shooter. Choose the best space that is available quickly. 
Decisions must be made quickly.

11. Personal Response
When confronted by individual(s) with weapons or extreme violent situations, you should:
Try to remain calm.
If possible, walk away, leave the area and call 911.
If it is not possible to leave the area, shelter in place.
Don’t argue or attempt to intimidate the perpetrator.
Comply with demands.
Never offer yourself in exchange for another hostage.
If there is no possibility of escaping or hiding, only as a last resort when your life is in imminent danger should you make a personal choice to FIGHT using whatever you have to use as a weapon.

12. Other Locations
At a location distant from the armed intruder, such as on a different unit or floor, or you are just not able to leave the area safely:
Remain calm
Warn other staff, visitors and patients to take immediate shelter
Go to a room that can be preferably be locked (bathrooms are a good place)
Avoid hiding in rooms that have glass in the door
Take ambulatory patients with you if possible
Lock and /or barricade doors
Turn off all lights
Complete silence
Turn off TV’s / radios or other devices that emit any type of sound
Keep yourself out of sight and reassure patients and visitors
Silence cell phones, room phones, etc., completely, including vibrate

13. Medical Assistance
If injuries or medical assistance is needed, Law Enforcement will provide direction on how this will occur. Employees should not enter an unsafe area to provide medical care to victims.
At acute care facilities, Law Enforcement will advise Security when it is safe for medical assistance to be provided. Security will notify Emergency Department staff to respond.
At all other locations, Law Enforcement will coordinate medical assistance with paramedics.

14. Incident Location
The location where the incident occurs should be considered a crime scene.
No employees should enter this location until the area has been cleared by Law Enforcement.
It is important that nothing related to the incident be touched by employees or cleaned up.
Employees should follow all direction from Law Enforcement.

15. “ALL CLEAR”
An Armed Intruder “ALL CLEAR” will be authorized by the collaborative decision of Law Enforcement and Hospital Incident Command.
Employees not involved in the situation will return to normal duties.
Employees directly involved will report to a designated area for debriefing.
All questions regarding the incident will be referred to media relations.

16. Active Shooter Video
Below is a link to a training video on responding to an active shooter event. This video has been created by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
preparedness-video