How to Respond to an Active Shooter

Please note: The following videos contain an enactment of an active shooter that some may find disturbing. However, the videos provide guidance on how to respond should an active shooter situation occur. While the scripted violence is simulated and mildly graphic, the message is real and will hopefully resonate across the campus.

While the likelihood of a shooter on campus is remote, it is best to be prepared for any situation. Active shooter situations are unpredictable and evolve quickly. Individuals must be prepared both mentally and physically to deal with the active shooter situation until law enforcement arrives on the scene.

Before a Shooting

Update your Crisis Communication contact information  Instructions on how to view and update your contact information or for more details go to the  Crisis Communication System web page.  (Note:  you will need to log into the service desk site to view this page.)  For updates, students will be directed to email the Registrar's office at registrar@vassar.edu and employees will be directed to Workday. Know that it may take several days for phone number updates to reach the emergency communication system so you should do this as soon as possible.  If you need assistance updating your information, please contact the service desk at x7224 or via email to servicedesk@vassar.edu. 

Be continually vigilant to the risk of violence on campus. Every college employee is urged to be aware of:

• Unusually aggressive, odd, or scary behavior 
• Threats of violence or retribution, either serious or said jokingly
• Distraught or suicidal behavior (end of life plans)
• Belief they are being singled out for unfair treatment, persecuted
• Overheard comments or rumors of some kind of planned or intended violence
• Obsessive fascination with previous incidents of violence
• Fights or other acts of violence on campus
• Presence of  or attempts to acquire guns, other weapons, suspicious objects (explosives)
• Sudden social isolation 
• Persons “casing” an area (taking pictures, attempting to gain entry, walking through each floor observing)

*Report non-emergency situations pertaining to students anonymously to the Student Support Network by clicking here: Student Support Network (SSN) Form.

*Report non-emergency situations pertaining to employees to your supervisor and/or Human Resources (845) 437-5820.

*Notify Campus Safety of suspicious behavior at the time of occurrence by calling (845) 437-5221 (non-emergency line) or (845) 437-7333 (emergency line).

*Watch the videos at the end of this document to help you envision the actions you can take during an active shooter incident.  

Have a Plan

Active Shooter Outside Your Building

1. Hide/Shelter in place. This means to proceed to a room that can be locked or secured by some other means such as a door wedge or barricade materials.  Lock all doors and windows and turn off the lights. If possible, get everyone to one side of the door frame along the wall. Ensure that no one is visible from outside the room. Put your phone on vibrate but monitor it for alerts.  
2. Call 911, advise the dispatcher of what's taking place, inform them of your location, and give as much detail about the shooter, their description, and their location as possible. 
3. Watch for emergency alert updates. Do not leave the location until the College issues an "All Clear" message or the location becomes unsafe.

Active Shooter Inside Your Building

1. Secure the room you are in by either locking the door, placing a wedge in the door, or barricade material, then follow “Hide/Shelter in place” procedures above.

2. If you cannot secure the room, determine if there is a nearby location that can be reached safely and secured or if you can safely exit the building.

3. If you decide to move from your current location, follow the instructions below under "RUN" below.

Active Shooter Inside Your Classroom

When safely possible, call 911 and alert police to the shooter's location and description. If  you can't speak, leave the line open so the dispatcher can hear what is taking place in the background. 

1. If there is absolutely no opportunity of escape and the shooter gains entry, you may have to collectively work to overpower the shooter. In many instances, victims will outnumber the shooter. Do not fight fair, use objects to distract and inhibit the shooter’s ability to use his weapon. If the shooter leaves the area, immediately secure your area and look for ways to evacuate to a safer place. Do not touch anything that was in the area of the shooter because of possible explosives being left or crucial evidence being lost. Watch for emergency alert updates.

Run, Hide, Fight

Run-Hide-Fight is a continuum of response actions where you decide which action or actions to take based on your location relative to the assailant and then reassess as the incident progresses.

Run / Evacuate

If there is an accessible escape path and you decide it’s safest to leave the area be sure to:

• Have an escape route and plan in mind
• If possible, you should identify a second escape route
• Leave your belongings behind
• Evacuate regardless of whether or not others agree to follow
• Help others escape, if possible
• Generally, do not attempt to move wounded people
• Prevent individuals from entering the area where the active shooter may be
• Go to a safe place and watch for alert updates.
• Call 911 and be prepared to give:
  • Number of assailants
  • Location of assailants
  • Description of assailants
  • Quantity of weapons
  • Number of victims visible

Hide Out

If leaving the area is not advisable, find a place to hide where the active shooter is less likely to find you.

Your hiding place should:

• Be out of the active shooter’s view (move away from windows & close blinds)
• Provide protection if shots are fired in your direction.
• Not trap you or restrict your options for movement (if possible)
• Silence cell phones but monitor them for alerts.

To prevent an active shooter from entering your hiding place:

• Lock the door (if possible)
• Blockade the door with heavy furniture
• Turn off lights and any source of noise
• Close blinds
• Stay away from windows
• Turn off your cell phone
• Remain quiet

Prepare an action plan in the event the shooter enters your hiding place:

• Develop an action plan with others in your hiding place
• If possible, spread out within the hiding place 

Fight / Take Action Against the Active Shooter

As a last resort, and only when your life is in imminent danger, attempt to disrupt and/or incapacitate the active shooter by:

• Acting in concert with others
• Acting as aggressively as possible
  • Throw items
  • Utilize improvised weapons (fire extinguishers, chairs, large objects, sharp objects)
• Be decisive and believe you will survive

When Law Enforcement Arrives

• Keep your hands visible (put objects down & raise hands)
• Don’t run toward or grab officers or make sudden movements
• Don’t scream

• Follow officer’s directions
• If known, advise officers of the number of shooters and their location
• Don’t expect help, officers are going to the source
• Stay in a safe area until the situation is under control and you’ve given your information to officers
• Do not leave the safe area until you have received an all clear message from the Campus Emergency Alert system or police have directed you to. 

* Stopping life threatening bleeding saves lives. To stop bleeding fast, apply firm, direct pressure with a clean cloth or gauze for 5-10 minutes, elevating the wound above the heart if possible; for severe bleeding not stopped by pressure, use the Stop the Bleed kit located in the closest AED station. To find the stations, click here: Health Emergencies - AED+ Locations on Campus. If you would like to learn how to use a Stop the Bleed kit, click here: Stop the Bleed Interactive Course.

Post-Event Activities

• Ensure police have your contact information
• Assist in accounting for missing people
• Volunteer your services through your supervisor
  • Give your supervisor a contact number
  • Inform them of any special skills you have
• Seek post trauma self care.  Watch for announcements regarding therapeutic assistance
• Students may access Counseling Service as described on their webpage by clicking here:  Counseling Service
• The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is available for free, short-term counseling and can be reached by calling 1-(800) 624-5544 for all employees.  Employees may also schedule free and unlimited phone or video counseling sessions through TelaDoc/HealthiestYou by calling 1-(866) 703-1259.