6 IUI Active Shooter Policy
The following recommendations are all options to be considered and should not be thought to be sequential. Select the best course of action according to the situation which you find yourself.
RUN
- If a safe path is available, run
- Always try and escape or evacuate even if others insist on staying
- Encourage others to leave with you but don’t let their indecision slow down your escape
- Try to prevent others from entering the danger zone
- Keep your hands visible for law enforcement
- Call IUPD at 317-274-7911 from a non-campus phone or 911 from a campus phone to report the incident and description/ location of shooter(s)
HIDE
- If you can’t escape, find a place to safely hide and be silent
- Turn out lights, close window blinds/curtains, lock doors if possible and silence your cell phone
- Barricade doors and windows if able to with furniture and other objects
- Stay low to the ground but don’t sit down- be prepared to move
- Be prepared to fight by developing a plan if the shooter should enter your area
- Gather items to use for self-defense
- Identify other methods of evacuating should the opportunity to escape occur (other doors, stairwells or windows)
- Render first aid to the injured if safely able to do so
- If unable to evacuate, remain in place until the “all clear” is released through IU-Notify or by law enforcement in the area
- If safe to do so, call IUPD at 317-274-7911 from a non-campus phone or 911 from a campus phone and report your location. If shooter is in the area and able to be heard, call and keep the line open for dispatchers to listen
FIGHT
- As a last resort, act with aggression and use improvised weapons to distract and/or disarm the shooter
- Throw objects at the shooter’s head-aim for their eyes
- Work together as a team if others are present
- Upon use of a distraction device, immediately attempt to escape or take down the shooter
- Commit to action as your life is at risk
- Remove the weapon from the shooter’s reach and safely hide it- do not handle it as law enforcement may perceive you to be the threat
- If taking down the shooter, immobilize all limbs (arms, legs, head) until law enforcement arrives
Under all circumstances, if you decide to flee during an active shooting situation, make sure you have an escape route and plan in mind. Do not attempt to carry anything while fleeing; move quickly, keep your hands visible, and follow the instructions of any police officers you may encounter. Notify authorities of the location of wounded people as soon as possible. Do not try to drive off campus until advised it is safe to do so by police or campus administrators.