active shooter / workplace violence

• Remain calm, and follow officers' directions
• Immediately raise hands and spread fingers
• Keep hands visible at all times
• Avoid pointing, screaming, or yelling
• Avoid making quick movements toward officers, such as attempting to hold on to them for safety
• Do not stop to ask officers for help or directions when evacuating, just proceed in the direction from which the officer(s) are entering the premises
• Once you have reached a safe location/assembly point, you will likely be held in that area by law enforcement
• Do not leave until instructed by law enforcement
• All witnesses will need to be identified and questioned
• First responders may call upon able-bodied individuals to assist in removing teh wounded from the premises 

​

Law enforcement's purpose is to stop the active shooter as soon as possible, and will proceed directly to the area in which the shots were last heard. The first officers to arrive on the scene will not stop to help injured persons. Expect rescue teams comprised of additonal officers and emergency medical personnel to follow the initial officers. 

• They may be wearing patrol uniforms, bulletproof vests or other tactical equipment
• Officers may be armed with rifles, shotguns and handguns 
• Officers may use pepper spray or tear gas to assist them in controlling the situation. 
• Officers may shout commands, and may push individuals to the ground for their safety.​​

•  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 
• If you are in a hallway, get into a room and secure the door
• As a last resort, attempt to take the shooter down. When the shooter is at close range and you cannot flee, your chance of survival is much greater if you try to incapacitate him/her. 
• Call 911 when safe to do so! 

An active shooter may be a current or former employee. Alert your Human Resources department if you believe an employee exhibits potentially violent behavior. Indicators of potentially violent behavior may include one or more of the following:

• Increased use of alcohol and/or illegal drugs
• Unexplained increase in absenteeism, and/or vague physical complaints
• Noticeable decrease in in attention to personal hygiene and appearance
• Increased severe mood swings, and noticeable unstable or emotional responses
• Explosive bursts of anger or rage without provocation 
• Behavior which is suspect of paranoia ("everyone is against me")
• Suicidal: comments about "putting things in order"
• Depression / Withdrawal
• Increasingly talks of problems at home
• Escalation of domestic problems into the workplace; talk of severe financial problems
• Increase in unsolicited comments about violence, firearms, and other dangerous weapons or violent crimes
• Empathy with individuals committing violence
• Talk of previous incidents of violence

• In the event of a bomb threat by phone, note, or e-mail
• Suspicious Packages / Mail
• Bomb Threat Checklist 

Most bomb threats are received by phone. Bomb threats are serious until proven otherwise. Act quickly, but remain calm and obtain as much information as possible. 

DO NOT: 

• Do not use cell phones or two-way radios; radio signals have the potential to detonate the bomb. 
• Do not evacuate the Building until police arrive and evaluate the threat.
  • Most often, authorities will require you and other occupants to assist in locating anything suspicious or out of place.
• Do not activate the fire alarm. 
• Do not touch or remove a suspicious package. 
  

​In the event of a bomb threat received by phone: 

• Remain Calm
• Utilize the Bomb Threat Checklist to obtain specific information from the caller or from the individual who received the call.  
• Keep the caller on the line for as long as possible. 
• Do Not Hang Up, Even If The Caller Does.  
• Listen carefully. Be polite and show interest. 
• Try to keep the caller talking to learn more information. 
• ​If possible, while listening to the caller, try to attract someone’s attention in your immediate area discreetly and quietly.
  • Write a note to a colleague to call the 911 immediately, or as soon as the caller hangs up, immediately notify them yourself. If possible, do this from a separate phone. 
    
  • Do NOT use a cell phone or two-way radio. Radio signals can detonate a bomb. 
    
  • If possible have another person contact the Building Management office at the same time, or as quickly as possible.
• ​If your phone has a display, copy the number and/or letters on the window display. 
• Try to use exact words of the caller. 
  • 
    

In the event of a handwritten bomb threat by note or letter:

                         Handle the note as minimally as possible

• Call 911
  • ​Do NOT use a cell phone or two-way radio. Radio signals can detonate a bomb.
• Call your Emergency Warden & Building Security 
  

In the event of an e-mailed bomb threat: 

• Do Not Delete the message. 
• Call 911
  • ​Do NOT use a cell phone or two-way radio. Radio signals can detonate a bomb.
• ​Call your Emergency Warden &  Building Security

Packages and large envelopes have been used in the past to deliver threatening devices and substances.  Be cautious for any packages exhibiting the following signs: No Return Address; Restrictive Markings (Personal, Confidential); Strange Odor; Excessive Tape; Sealed with Tape; Misspelled words, Addressed to Title Only, Incorrect Title, Badly Typed or Written; Excessive Postage; Lopsided, uneven, rigid or bulky; Oily stains, discolorations or crystallization on wrapping. 

If you consider a parcel or letter suspect:

• Do NOT open it, move it, or cover it. 
• Immediately call 911
• Do NOT use a cell phone or two-way radio. Signals from these devices can denonate a bomb. 
• Have another person contact your Emergency Warden and Building Security.
• The immediate area should be cleared of employees and secured, but do not evacuate until police arrive and evaluate the threat.