The tragic events at Sandy Hook Elementary School serve as a reminder that violent acts such as this can occur anywhere, anytime. University of Maryland Police Officers train routinely for such events. Students, faculty and staff must also be prepared to respond and react to an active shooter incident. Please take a few moments to review this information on this page and watch the short video below, courtesy of the City of Houston Mayor's Office of Public Safety.
If you find yourself in the middle of an active shooter event, your survival may depend on whether or not you have a plan. The plan doesn't have to be complicated. There are three things you can do that make a difference:
RUN, HIDE, FIGHT
Run
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If you can get out, do so
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Always try to escape or evacuate, don't let others slow you down with indecision
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Getting yourself out of harms way is your #1 priority
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Once you're out of the line of fire, call for help
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Use 911 (Dialing 911 from a campus phone will connect with DPS.
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Dialing 911 from a cell phone will connect you with Prince George's County Communications. Be sure to give the call taker your exact location.
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Use 301-405-3333 to contact UMD Public Safety (Emergency Line)
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Hide
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Act quickly and quietly
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Try to secure your hiding place as best you can
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Turn out lights and lock doors
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Silence your cell phone
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If you can't find a safe room or closet, try to conceal yourself behind large objects that may protect you.
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Do your best to remain calm
Fight
As a last resort, if your life is at risk, whether alone or working together as a group, FIGHT!
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Act with aggesion
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Improvise weapons
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Disarm the shooter
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Commit to taking the shooter down, no matter what.
Remember ... RUN, HIDE, FIGHT
What to expect from responding police officers
Police officers responding to an active shooter are trained to proceed immediately to the area in which shots were last heard; their purpose is to stop the shooting as quickly as possible. The first responding officers will normally be in teams; they may be dressed in regular patrol uniforms, or they may be wearing external bulletproof vests, Kevlar helmets, and other tactical equipment. The officers may be armed with rifles, shotguns, or handguns, and might also be using pepper spray or tear gas to control the situation. Regardless of how they appear, remain calm, do as the officers tell you, and do not be afraid of them. Put down any bags or packages you may be carrying and keep your hands visible at all times; if you know where the shooter is, tell the officers. The first officers to arrive will not stop to aid injured people; rescue teams composed of other officers and emergency medical personnel will follow the first officers into secured areas to treat and remove injured persons. Keep in mind that even once you have escaped to a safer location, the entire area is still a crime scene; police will usually not let anyone leave until the situation is fully under control and all witnesses have been identified and questioned. Until you are released, remain at whatever assembly point authorities designate.