Environmental Health and Safety Office

Active Shooter/Campus Violence

Source of information: http://www.avoiddenydefend.org

In the event of an active shooter incident:

If it is safe for to do so, exit the facility immediately to AVOID the shooter(s).

If you are unable to safely exit the facility, lock yourself in your current location and barricade the door to DENY the shooters’ access.

In the event that you are unable to utilize the AVOID and DENY strategies successfully, you should DEFEND yourself using whatever means are available.

Regardless of the options utilized, call University Police at (817) 735-2600 (extension 2600) or 911 as soon as it is safe to do so.

 


When a hostile person(s) is actively causing deadly harm, the imminent threat of deadly harm, or is barricaded within a building:

AVOID starts with your state of mind. 
• Pay attention to your surroundings.
• Have an exit plan.
• Move away from the source of the threat as quickly as possible.
• The more distance and barriers between you and the threat, the better.

DENY when getting away is difficult or maybe even impossible.
• Keep distance between you and the source.
• Create barriers  to prevent or slow down a threat from getting to you.
• Turn the lights off.
• Remain out of sight and quiet by hiding behind large objects and silence your phone.

DEFEND because you have the right to protect yourself.  
• If you cannot Avoid or Deny  be prepared to defend yourself.
• Be aggressive and committed to your actions.
• Do not fight fairly.  THIS IS ABOUT SURVIVAL.

CALL 911 when you are in a safe area.

When Law Enforcement arrives, SHOW YOUR HANDS AND FOLLOW COMMANDS.

This cannot cover every possible situation that might occur, but nevertheless, it is a training tool that can reduce the number of injuries or death if put into action as soon as a situation develops. Time is a critical factor in the management of a situation of this manner.