Active shooter threats don’t wait for your lunch break, so be ready before they happen.
Workplace violence isn’t some distant headline, it’s a rising reality. And active shooter events? They’re happening more often than we’d like to admit. In just five years, the number of incidents doubled. Even 2020 lockdowns didn’t stop the violence, with 40 events logged that year alone.
These situations are fast, chaotic, and over before help can hit the brakes. That’s why knowing how to respond is no longer optional, it’s essential.
Freeze or fight? Having a plan beats panic every single time.
High-stress moments turn your brain into static. That’s science. But with a plan in your back pocket, you don’t freeze, you move.
Here’s your workplace survival starter pack:
- Know your exits. Always clock two ways out. Bonus: windows work if you’re under the third floor.
- Know the sound. Gunshots don’t sound like Hollywood explosions. Get familiar.
- Help where you can. If someone needs assistance, don’t leave them behind.
- Expect the chaos. It’s loud, it’s disorienting, and it’s scary. You’ll get through it better with a plan.
Run if you can, hide if you must, fight only if it’s life or death, these three options save lives.
Let’s break it down like your life depends on it, because it does.
RUN
- Get out. Now. No hero moves, just go.
- Time it smart, when they reload, you bolt.
- Drop your stuff. Your phone’s not worth dying for.
- Zigzag. Make yourself a moving target, not an easy one.
- Keep hands up, fingers spread. You don’t want to be mistaken for the threat.
- Call 911 only after you’re out and safe.
HIDE
- Can’t run? Find a hideout and lock it down.
- Barricade with chairs, desks, vending machines, whatever’s heavy and nearby.
- Lights out. Silence your phone. Become invisible.
- Grab potential weapons. Fire extinguishers, scissors, heavy binders, get creative.
- Shield yourself. A thick book could be your best armor.
FIGHT
- This is the last resort, when there’s no way out.
- Go full defense mode. Attack hard, fast, and with everything you’ve got.
- Wait for a vulnerable moment like reloading, then strike.
- If you’re not alone, team up. One goes for the weapon, others go for control.
- Your goal? Survive. Get home. Period.
And if all else fails? Play dead. Control your breathing, stay still, and wait for help. It’s not cowardly, it’s strategic.
911 isn’t just a lifeline, it’s your voice when chaos hits the fan.
If you’re safe enough to make the call, do it. If not, leave the line open and let the dispatcher listen in. Here’s what they’ll need:
- Where: Exact location of the threat.
- How many: Number of shooters.
- Who: Description of the shooter, clothes, height, features.
- With what: Weapons being used.
- How bad: Number of people at risk or injured.
Turn off the ringer and notifications before dialing. The last thing you want is a ringtone giving away your location.
When police arrive, stay calm, stay visible, and don’t make sudden moves.
The first wave of officers has one job: stop the threat. They won’t stop to treat injuries or hug it out. Don’t take it personally.
Here’s what to do:
- Drop the drama. Hands up, no pointing, no screaming.
- Keep your cool. Let them focus on the threat, not you.
- Only speak if asked. Otherwise, move when told and stay out of their path.
- Even if you’re bleeding, they may pass you by at first. Their mission is to secure the space so medics can help safely.
Plans and drills aren’t paranoia, they’re power in your pocket.
Winging it in an active shooter scenario? That’s a recipe for disaster. Smart companies prep their people before anything ever happens.
- Build an Emergency Action Plan: Everyone should know what to do and where to go.
- Run Drills: Practice makes prepared. Simulations matter.
- Secure the Premises: Surveillance, locks, and intercoms are the unsung heroes of crisis prevention.
- Speak Up Culture: Encourage employees to report weird vibes, threats, or concerns. Silence doesn’t keep anyone safe.
Being prepared doesn’t make you paranoid, it makes you unstoppable.
Active shooter events are a hard topic, but pretending they won’t happen doesn’t keep people safe. Preparation does. Know your exits. Know your options. And most importantly, know your worth. You deserve to work in a place where your safety is priority one.
Want to go even deeper on this? Train like your life depends on it (because it might) with our Active Shootings in the Workplace: Prevention & Survival Training Course. This course teaches real-world strategies that could save your life and someone else’s.
And while we’re talking safety, don’t overlook another critical topic, substance abuse in the workplace. Learn how to spot the signs and take action with the Reasonable Suspicion Training for Managers. Because crisis prevention starts way before sirens go off.
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