As our hearts and minds are with the Michigan State University community, the tragedy offers a reminder to review the steps to take if you are faced with an active shooter, according to Emory’s Office of Critical Event Preparedness and Response (CEPAR).
“By releasing this information, we hope that our community will be better prepared, and that chances of safety and survival can be improved,” says Sam Shartar, senior director of operations for CEPAR.
Active shooter events are unpredictable, motives are different and warning signs may vary, but there are three things you can do to increase chances of safety and survival:
Run, Hide, Fight
- Run if a safe path is available. Always try and escape or evacuate even if others insist on staying. Don't linger to gather belongings. Encourage others to leave with you, but don't let their indecision slow down your own escape. Once out of the line of fire, try to prevent others from unknowingly walking into the danger zone and call 911.
- Hide if you can't escape safely; find a place to hide outside the shooter's view. If you can't find a safe room or closet, hide behind large objects that offer protection. Seek a hiding place that doesn't restrict your options to move. Try to remain quiet and calm. When hiding, turn out lights, lock doors and silence the ringer and vibration mode on cell phones. If a door doesn't lock, attempt to block it with furniture or other large objects.
- Fight as a last resort if your life is at risk. Working together or alone, act with aggression. Use improvised weapons — a fire extinguisher or chair, for example.
Emory’s Threat Assessment Team
The goal of the Threat Assessment Team is to preserve the safety and security of the university community. If you have safety concerns about someone’s behavior, please visit the Threat Assessment webpage to learn how you can help.
If you have an emergency, or if you feel that there is an immediate threat to someone's safety, contact the Emory Police at 404-727-6111 or 911.
Notify the Threat Assessment Team about a concern by contacting the Threat Assessment Team at 833-442-2369. This voicemail is checked once a day, Monday through Friday, and is not intended for emergency notification. A member of the Threat Assessment Team will contact you to follow up on your concern.
You may also contact the team via email at threatassessment@emory.edu. This email is not monitored 24 hours per day. If there is an immediate threat to safety call the Emory Police Department at 404-727-6111.
LiveSafe
CEPAR encourages everyone in the Emory community to download the LiveSafe safety app.
The app provides a quick, convenient, and discreet way to communicate directly with Emory University safety officials, enhancing your overall safety and allowing Emory Police to better protect you.
Remember: If you see something, send something. Download the app now.
For more information on how to be prepared in an emergency, visit the CEPAR website.