Preparedness Education:Intruder on Campus

Basic guidelines for responding to a violent intruder on campus

Session Objectives

• Participants understand the 3 Out approach in response to violent intruders.

• Participants apply the 3 Out approach to their own work areas.

• Participants are prepared to participate in a drill or exercise.

PreparednessPrevention efforts, such as threat assessment and physical security, are a vital part of any intruder response plan.

However, prevention efforts can fail and it is imperative that facilities have a plan to respond to active shooter and violent intruder scenarios.

The more a school discusses what to do, the more effective the response will be under stress.

Studies of Active Shooter Incidents Indicate:

• An active shooter incident is over within 2½ to 3 minutes

• Average response time for Law Enforcement to arrive on scene is estimated between 5 to 7 minutes.

• Active Shooters occur in schools/campuses due to these areas being soft targets (multiple victims, confined/open areas, easy to access).

• Need to pre-plan and train for your response.

3 Outs

Replace the basic lockdown concept with a simple 3 Out system:

• If the intruder is in your immediate area or if your area

cannot be secured by a Lock Out and you can safely do so, implement a running evacuation:

• Get Out using exits or even ground floor windows.

• Run in a zig zag manner .

• Evacuate to an area that can be secured (Lock Out) or far enough away from the building to be safe.

• Provide an update to 911 when you can do so safely.

Get Out• Begin to develop awareness of your exit

options now.

• Start to pre-plan when in your classroom, office or general area/location.

• Thinking about a plan ahead of time will help you if faced with an actual situation.

If the intruder is in your immediate area and you cannot Get Out, secure your room with a Lock Out.Lock the door if you can.Call 911 immediately, if you can do so safely.Remain quiet & try to remain out of intruder’s view (hide).Silence cell phones; don’t turn them off; text updates.Look for areas that provide protection if shots are fired.Be prepared to Get Out or Take Out if intruder gains entry.

Lock Out

While a locked door is good, there are other ways to create a lock out: Barricade the door with whatever you can find.

Do not use your body to support barricade

Lock Out: Barricading Doors

Use desks, chairs, shelves, piles of books, etc. Barricades are most effective if the door opens towards the barricade.

Even if the door opens away from the barricade (usually into the hallway), creating an obstacle such as stacked objects can delay an attacker.

Barricading Doors…. (video)

Doors that Open into the HallwayTying off doors limits the attackers ability toopen doors, even if they are unlocked.

This technique can be used to reinforce doors that open out (toward the hallway) where barricades havelimited value.Using barricades andtying off doors arediversionary techniquesthat will slow anattacker down.

Tying Off Doors… (video)

Jamming Door Handles… (video)For handicap accessible handles

(levers pushed downward to open), wedge a chair or small table between the handle and door, preventing the handle from unlatching the door.

Common door found on campus

Add metal clasp/carabineer; push on tight; prohibits door from being opened; also barricade door

Tightly wrap book bag strap around door hardware; close to door and frame itself; also barricade door.

Lockdown Deficiencies

• A lockdown works only under the most ideal of circumstances.

• A lockdown plan offers little or no value if faculty, staff, and students are in an area that cannot be locked or in direct contact with the attacker.

• Survival may depend on not being a passive and stationary target.

Limit the Lockdown.

• A lockdown creates a static and passive environment for the attacker, giving the shooter a greater tactical advantage:– Shooter is looking for a target-rich environment– Targets are passive and accessible– Shooter will not negotiate– Shooter does not have an exit strategy– Seconds can make a difference

Lockdown

The Take Out option is to be used as a last resort:

If the intruder poses serious danger to your safety or the safety of others, and you cannot Get Out or Lock Out, fighting back against the attacker may be your only last option – Take Out.

You MUST commit to your actions.Attempt to incapacitate the violent intruder; act with aggression.Work together with other people.Provide clear and confident instructions.Use improvised weapons such as fire extinguishers, chairs, books.Use distractions – throw things to divert attention to enable an escape.

Take Out… (video)If you are in direct contact with the attacker and the attacker is blocking your

path, then there is no way you can Lock Out or Get Out. You may have to fight back and Take Out the attacker.

Decision Making During an Emergency

Recurring Circle:

Observe: You become aware of a potentially dangerous event.

Orient: Orient yourself to your options.

Decide: Based on what you know, decide the best response.

Act: Carry out the plan to the best of your abilities.

As the situation changes- repeat the circle as often as needed.

Response: Immediate Action Steps

Immediate ActionsApply the 3 Outs: Get Out, Lock Out or Take Out.

Call 911 (as you can safely do so). Provide situation & location. If multiple persons together, have one call 911; other call Campus Safety, ext. 3110 (only for on campus phones). If using cell, must dial 484-664-3110 to report to campus safety.

Alert others (as you can safely do so).

Act rapidly and decisively.

Assist others; render first aid if needed.

If the intruder is on/near campus, but not in a building, secure entrances, move to securable rooms and implement a Lock Out.

Items to Consider:

DO NOT evacuate immediately, or at all, if the fire alarm sounds.

Stay in your secured area until you are certain the threat has been minimized OR you are approached by Law Enforcement.

Be prepared to care for those who may be injured or emotionally unstable who may be “locked in” with you.

THINK BEFORE YOU ACT!!!

Law Enforcement ResponseWhen law enforcement arrives on the scene, remember:

Their response to an intruder situation is focused on locating and neutralizing the threat; they will NOT stop to render aid to the wounded.

DO NOT leave a secure area to approach responders.

All persons may be treated as suspects until determined otherwise.

Follow law enforcement commands; hands above your head, fingers spread, no screaming/yelling, and keep moving.

While response to a shooter is rapid, searching and safe guarding a school may take several hours.

Remember:

The goal of the 3 Out system is to delay the attacker’s access in order to

prevent and minimize casualties before law enforcement arrives.

To Summarize: 3 Outs

Violent Intruder is in your immediate area, but there is

a path to escape.

Violent Intruder is in your building, but not in your

immediate area.

Violent Intruder is attacking, and there is no

path to escape.

Use exits or ground floor windows to leave the area immediately.

Evacuate to an area that can be secured or far enough away from the building to provide safety.

Look for areas that provide protection if shots are fired.

Quickly gather students from unsecured areas.

Lock, barricade, tie off door.

Turn off lights. Remain quiet & hide

from view. Silence cell phones. Looks for path of

escape. Prepare next steps.

As a last resort:

Attempt to incapacitate the intruder.

Use improvised weapons .

Work together; throw objects in unison.

Act with aggression.

Commit to your actions.

Thinking Ahead:

• Think about your own 3 Out strategies now.

• Challenge yourself to develop as many ways to leave your work space as possible.

• Each person should consider his/her own space. What can you lock? Use for barricades? Use to tie a door?

Communication to Campus:• The Crisis Team will alert the campus community in relation to crime-related and

other potentially threatening situations in an accurate and timely fashion by means of a “Campus Timely Warning Notice or an Emergency Notification.”

• The notices may be disseminated via a variety of mechanisms or mediums; for example:– Text Messaging to cell phone of those enrolled in the service (E2Campus)– Campus E-mail Messages (E2Campus)– Muhlenberg College Website (E2Campus)– Public Announcements– Postings and Signage– Other methods deemed necessary

How to Report:• When reporting, ALWAYS call 911 first if a life

threatening situation.• Call Campus Safety (Dispatch) immediately

afterward; ext. 3110 (on campus phone only)• Utilize the on-campus Emergency Phones• If using cell, call 484-664-3110 for Campus Safety

- DO NOT report something that is suspicious by way of an email to an individual officer; by way of a phone message left on an officer’s phone mail, etc.

- Dispatch staffed 24/7; always get a live voice

Reporting General Concerns

• Call x3110 (on campus phone only); if using cell, call 484-664-3110 to reach Campus Safety.

• If something feels odd to you, it’s OK to ask Campus Safety to check it out.

• Better to report something that turns out to be nothing.

Awareness

Always take particular note if there is a change in a person’s behavior patterns when the frequency and intensity of the behaviors are disruptive to the work environment.

The person may be exhibiting many of the behaviors listed next:

• Crying, sulking or temper tantrums

• Disrespect for authority • Faulty decision making • Swearing or emotional

language

• Making inappropriate statements

• Blaming others for mistakes

• Talking about the same problems repeatedly without resolving them

• Social isolation

• Complaints of unusual and/or non-specific illnesses

• Excessive absenteeism or lateness

• Increased mistakes or errors, or unsatisfactory work quality

• Overreacting to criticism

• Forgetfulness, confusion and/or distraction

• Complaints of unfair treatment

• Misinterpretation of

communications from supervisors or co-workers

• Disregard for the health and safety of others

• Refusal to acknowledge job performance problems

• Testing the limits to see what they can get away with

• Inability to focus

• Insistence that he or she is always right

• Personal hygiene is poor or ignored

• Sudden and/or unpredictable change in energy level

Reporting a Specific Concern• Call Department of Safety; x3110 (on campus);

call 484-664-3110 if using cell phone

• Call the Dean of Student Affairs

• Call Human Resources---------------------------------------------------------------------• Remember, what you do now to prepare for an

emergency just may save your life or others around you. Take a few minutes to pre-plan.

Acknowledgements:

• Homeland Security• Pennsylvania State Police• Stay Safe• South Central Criminal Justice Task Force• Safe Schools• Upper Allen Police Department• Messiah College Department of Campus

Safety

DISCUSSION…

QUESTIONS???

HANDOUTS…