Shelter in Place/Violent Intruder Protocol

Background

Shelter in Place is an emergency protocol option intended for use to secure and protect occupants who are in the proximity of an immediate threat.  This procedure is used when it may be more dangerous to evacuate a building than stay inside.  By controlling entry/exit and movement within a facility, emergency personnel are better able to contain and handle threats.

Notifications to the HMC community to Shelter in Place may be sent by Campus Safety, emergency personnel, or from other appropriate members of the community.  As each building on campus is unique, individuals may receive notice to take shelter or lockdown through various means which may include, Campus Safety Alert, MuddAlert, HMC Exterior Broadcast System and email.

The emphasis of this protocols the preservation of life and is based upon the concept of Run, Hide Fight or the A.L.I.C.E program of response.

Alert

Lockdown

Inform

Counter

Evacuate

Although the letters in the ALICE acronym appear to be sequential steps, they are just a way for you to remember key options you may use to stay safe.  There is no requirement to use the options in any particular order.

Below are informative videos that display the ALICE and Run Hide Fight techniques.  Please review them:

Rock Valley College Practical Response to Active Shooter

Auburn University Active Shooter Response Training

Ready.gov RUN. HIDE. FIGHT.® Surviving an Active Shooter Event

Response

In any situation, quickly determine the most reasonable way to protect your own life. Remember that students, vendors, or visitors are likely to follow the lead of faculty and staff members during a violent intruder event.

Alert – Be aware of your surroundings including any unusual activity.  Be aware of emergency notifications such as MuddAlert, exterior broadcast announcements, emails, etc.  Report suspicious or unusual activity to Campus Safety at [tel]909.607.2000[/tel] and/or call 9-1-1.

Lockdown – If you are in a classroom or office, stay there, secure the door and evaluate the following:

  • What is the locations of the suspect(s)?
  • Can you evacuate the location?  If so, evacuate.  Consider alternate exits such as windows if safe to do so.
  • If the door does not lock, use heavy (any available) furniture and/or equipment to barricade the door.
  • Silence any source of noise (cell phone, computers, radios, televisions).
  • Hide behind large items that may stop bullets if they are fired in your direction.
  • Close curtains, blinds, or window coverings where possible.
  • Stay low to the ground and keep quiet.
  • Place cell phones on silence.  Do not make non-essential calls.

Inform – If safe to do so, call Campus Safety and/or 9-1-1 to notify police of the incident.  If you cannot speak on the phone, leave the line open to allow the dispatcher to listen to what is going on near you.

Counter – As a last resort, and only if your life is in imminent danger, attempt to disrupt or incapacitate the suspect(s) by:

  • Acting as aggressively as possible against him/her.
  • Throwing items and improvising weapons (textbooks, fire extinguisher, laptops, tables, chairs, desks).
  • Yelling.

Evacuate – If there is an accessible escape path, attempt to evacuate the location.  Be sure to:

  • Have an escape route and plan in mind.
  • Evacuate whether or not others agree to follow.
  • Leave personal belongings behind.
  • Keep your hands visible and empty (remember law enforcement is looking for the violent intruder and you want to be clear to them it’s not you).
  • Follow the instructions of any law enforcement personnel.

These are guidelines and are not all inclusive, however if understood and followed with periodic reminders and training they can increase your changes of surviving a violent intruder incident.

Following a Shelter in Place/Violent Intruder event, wait for official release via MuddAlert or email before leaving your sheltered area.  It may take several hours before a release is possible.

Additional information regarding emergency procedures on campus can be found at the HMC Emergency Procedures section.