Follow these steps unless your best judgment suggests otherwise:

If you are the group or activity leader:

   You are responsible to exercise every reasonable precaution to ensure the safety of your group.

   Do not hesitate to postpone, modify, or cancel an activity if unexpected or overly dangerous conditions are present. Better safe than sorry!

If you are a participant or observer:

   You share the responsibility to exercise every reasonable precaution to ensure the safety of the group.

  Notify the group leader of hazards or dangerous circumstances.

  Support the group leader in assuring the safety of the group.

Please see below for specific steps to take in various imminent danger situations.

For more information contact your Divisional Safe From Harm Coordinator

In the event of an ACTIVE SHOOTER:

It is advised that personnel take the online active shooter training that is provided by Human Resources. In addition, it is recommended that local units seek training and/or advice from law enforcement officials in their area.

There are three response strategies to an active shooter situation:

1. Run/escape – if possible.

• If persons can safely leave the building, they should do so quickly and calmly. They will need to know where the exits are and have a pre-planned meeting area that is a safe distance away and that provides protection.
• All belongings should be left behind.
• As they are leaving the building, they should alert others if they can without veering off the exit course. Using words like, ‘gun’, ‘shooter’, and/or ‘run’ will alert others to the need to exit quickly.
• They must not stop for ANYONE. If they pass victims who have been injured, they should NOT STOP to assist as this will cause delay in evacuation and the potential for additional victims.
• Call 911 as quickly as possible.

2. Hide if escape is not possible.

• If exiting the building is not an option, persons should barricade themselves in a room with limited access to external areas (a closet would be an example). If there is no inner room, the classroom door should be locked (if possible) and barricaded.
• Call 911 if it is safe to do so.
• Lights should be turned off and blinds lowered (if that can be done safely).
• All persons should move far away from the door and any windows and avoid huddling by spreading out.
• They should stay quiet and calm.
• They should also be prepared to be in that room/position for a long time.

3. Fight only as a last resort.

• If a shooter has entered the room, follow their instructions.
• Persons can also ‘play dead’ in an attempt to remain safe.

• No cellphones should be used unless they are completely out of sight/earshot of the shooter.
• If there is an opportunity to fight back, persons can yell and scream in an aggressive manner, throw objects at the shooter, and use items as improvised weapons.
• If a person chooses to fight back they must COMMIT TO THEIR ACTIONS. Any lull will give the shooter the opportunity to retaliate.
• Remember that a moving/running target is harder to shoot.

Persons should not exit a barricaded room until that are 100% certain the police and other law enforcement have given the all clear. The police should enter and escort persons from the room. Note: some perpetrators will mimic police to try to get persons to open doors, so it is imperative to confirm that the real police are the ones who are outside the door/room.

In the event there is a POLICE PRESENCE at your location:

In the event that there is a police presence on the property, TSA personnel should follow the instructions given by law enforcement. It is advised that all external doors are locked and all persons inside the building are moved to the interior of the building away from windows and external doors. Someone should be assigned as the point person who will serve as the liaison with the police and provide information to TSA personnel as needed. Everyone should remain in place until the ‘all clear’ is be given by the police. 

If an intruder has entered the building, follow the steps above and law enforcement instructions.

In the event of another IMMINENT DANGER:

In the event that there is another imminent danger, such as a bomb threat, explosion, or suspicious package, TSA personnel should immediately contact law enforcement and/or emergency services. They should follow the instructions given to them by the officials. As soon as possible, they should also contact the supervisor or officer in charge. Once the immediate danger has been eliminated, an incident report should be completed along with any necessary paperwork for risk management/insurance. If the situation involves minors in any way, their parents should be contacted to arrange for pick up and a Report to Parents form can be used to explain the situation and how it was safely handled. If there are any questions, they should be directed to DHQ.

When it is safe to do so, follow these steps:

• Make sure the scene is safe or that you are in a safe space.
• Call authorities if that has not already been done.
• Contact supervisor or officer as soon as possible.
• Contact parent/guardian as soon as possible.
• Contact DHQ as quickly as possible.
• Gather witness reports (in writing).
• Complete, submit, and file reports:
  • Online Incident Report Form 
  • Report to Parents (Completed by officer or supervisor).
  • Chesterfield Forms (As needed – completed by officer or employee).
• Preserve all evidence