No one likes to be caught unprepared, especially in an emergency situation such as an active shooter. Not knowing what to do in an active shooter emergency can affect not only your life but those around you. With a plan in place and the right tools, you can be prepared and save the lives of those you care about most.
Active shooter emergency
According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), here are some basic plans for an active shooter emergency. “Good practices for coping with an active shooter situation. 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 active 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.”
If you are stuck in an office, find a safe spot away from windows and viewpoints. Go under a desk if you are unaware of where they are and do not have an escape route. Barricade doors and lock them with lights off. In the case that you do have an escape route, quietly follow it when you are sure you have a clear path. If you are in a situation where you are face-to-face with the shooter and must fight them, disarm them the best you can where you remove the gun out of their hands. The best way to do this would be to go through professional training, like self-defense, where you can disarm the shooter effectively whether that be a hand-to-hand self-defense or countering with legal concealed carry.
If you are able to call emergency authorities like the police, make sure to do so as soon as possible when you aren’t in immediate danger. It is best to stay on the phone with first responders during this time. The DHS recommends, “Remain calm. Dial 911, if possible, to alert police to the active shooter’s location. If you cannot speak, leave the line open and allow the dispatcher to listen,” and also silence your phone if they are nearby. More information about steps to take in an emergency can be found here.
Other emergencies where you need to stay put
According to the CDC some emergencies may call for you to stay put. Make sure to check with local law enforcement and authorities on which would be appropriate when you are preparing for your business.
Get the Alert-Com App
The most important thing is preparedness when it comes to what steps to take in an emergency. One of the best ways to prepare is to use our Alert-Com app, where you can alert authorities faster during times of emergencies. This will help slow down emergency response time, which could save lives. Imagine having the help of an app, where you can instantly connect to first responders within seconds. You would be able to stop an emergency from furthering, or better yet, saving a life and your own. Make a consulting appointment with us so we can help set up your Alert-Com app today.
