Active shooter
View active shooter training video
How to respond when an active shooter is in your vicinity
Run
- Have an escape plan in mind.
- Leave your belongings behind.
- Keep your hands visible.
Hide
- Hide in an area out of the active shooter’s view.
- Block entry to your hiding place and lock the doors.
- Silence your cellphone and/or pager.
Fight
- Take action as a last resort and only when your life is in imminent danger.
- Attempt to incapacitate the active shooter.
- Act with physical aggression and throw items at the active shooter.
Call 911 when it is safe to do so
How to respond when law enforcement arrives
- Remain calm and follow the officers’ instructions.
- Put down items in your hands (i.e., bags, jackets).
- Immediately raise hands and spread fingers.
- Keep hands visible at all times.
- Avoid quick movements toward offices such as attempting to hold onto them for safety.
- Do not stop to ask offices for help or direction when evacuating.
Information you should provide to law enforcement or 911 operator
- Location of the active shooter.
- Number of shooters.
- Number and type of weapons held by shooter(s).
- Number of potential victims on location.
Coping with an active shooter situation
- Be aware of your environment and any possible dangers.
- Take note of the two nearest exits in any facility you visit.
- If you are in an office, stay there and secure the door.
- Attempt to take the active shooter down as a last resort.
Profile of an active shooter
An active shooter is an individual actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a confined and populated area, typically through the use of firearms.
Characteristics of an active shooter situation
- Victims are selected at random.
- The event in unpredictable and evolves quickly.
- Law enforcement is usually required to end an active shooter situation.
For more information, call the University of Maine Police Department at 581.4040.