Educating Your Team on Active Shooter Run-Hide-Fight Protocol

Would your team know what to do if an active shooter or armed assailant threatened them?

When an emergency strikes, good preparation can make the difference between life and death. It is common for people to carry out drills and training for wildfires, earthquakes, and storms to make sure that they know what to do. Training for an active shooter scenario is also important.

The Growing Threat

The FBI says that 277 active shooter incidents occurred between 2000 and 2018, resulting in 884 fatalities and 1,546 injuries.

These incidents have become more common in recent years. In 2000, there were seven incidents. In 2018, there were 213. The year before, in 2017, there were 739.

Active shootings have occurred at many different types of locations, including schools, healthcare facilities, homes, and houses of worship. Commerce locations, including malls and other businesses, account for 43.7% of all active shootings.

Run-Hide-Fight Protocol

Faced with the threat of an active shooter, people have three basic options. They can run, they can hide, or they can fight. The best option will depend on the specific details of the situation.

• Run. According to Ready.gov, getting away from the attack should be the top priority. When an armed assailant is in the area, you should leave your belongings behind and try to seek safety. Once you are in a safe location, you should call 9-1-1 to report the armed assailant and provide details.
• Hide. Sometimes, running to safety is not an option. In this situation, you should try to hide from the armed assailant. You want to hide somewhere the attacker cannot see you, and you should also try to put a solid barrier between you and the assailant. If you are in a separate room, lock the door and block it. Also, close the blinds and turn off the lights. Avoid making noise as this could draw the assailant’s attention to you.
• Fight. Ready.gov says that fighting should be the last resort. If you can run or hide, you should do that. However, if you cannot run or hide, you are left with no choice but to fight. It is important to commit to actions and to be aggressive – you may have to injure the attacker seriously or lethally. Work with others and use whatever you can as a weapon.

The FBI has a training video that demonstrates the run-hide-fight protocol.

Create Your Emergency Plan

Although you hope that your team will never encounter an active shooting, you should make sure they are prepared for the possibility. Proper training can help your team survive an active shooting event. Insurance coverage can help you recover.

Active Assailant Coverage provides coverage for the expenses that can follow an active shooting, including costs associated with property damage and bodily injuries.

To learn more, ask your Heffernan Insurance Brokers agent about Active Assailant Coverage.