Response Guidelines for an Active Shooter

Secure immediate area

• Lock and barricade doors
• Turn off lights
• Close blinds
• Block windows
• Turn off radios and computer monitors
• Keep occupants calm, quiet and out of sight
• Keep yourself out of sight and take adequate cover/protection (i.e. concrete walls, thick desks, filing cabinets), which may protect you from bullets
• Silence cell phones
• Place signs in exterior windows to identify the location of injured persons

Contacting authorities

• Use 911 (dialing 911 from a campus phone will connect you with NMU Public Safety)
• Dialing 911 from a cell phone will connect with Marquette County Central Dispatch. Make sure to give the dispatcher your exact location
• Dialing 227-2151 will contact you with central dispatch at NMU Public Safety (the non-emergency line)
• Be aware that the 911 system will likely be overwhelmed
• Program the NMU Public Safety and Police Services administrative line (227-2151) into your cell phone for emergency use

What to report:

• Your specific location, in particular the building name and the office or room number
• The number of people at your specific location
• The number of injured persons and what types of injuries have been suffered
• Provide as much of the following information as is known
  • assailant’s location
  • number of suspects
  • race
  • gender
  • clothing description
  • physical features
  • type of weapons (long gun or hand gun)
  • backpack type
  • shooter’s identity
  • type of incident – i.e. shooting or explosion

Un-securing an area

• Consider risks before un-securing rooms
• Remember, the shooter will not stop until they are engaged by an outside force
• Attempts to rescue people should only be made if they can be accomplished without further endangering the persons inside a secured area
• Consider the safety of masses vs. the safety of a few
• If doubt exists for the safety of the individuals inside the room, the area should remain secured

Police response

• Objective is to immediately engage assailant(s) and neutralize the threat
• Evacuate victims
• Facilitate follow up medical care, interviews and counseling
• Launch full investigation