Federal DHS Workplace Active Shooter Poster

HOW TO RESPOND	
WHEN AN ACTIVE SHOOTER IS IN YOUR VICINITY	
Q	UICKLY	 DETERMINE	 THE	 MOST	 REASONABLE	 WAY	 TO	 PROTECT	 YOUR	 OWN	 LIFE	. C	USTOMERS	 AND	 CLIENTS	 	
ARE	 LIKELY	 TO	 FOLLOW	 THE	 LEAD	 OF	 EMPLOYEES	 AND	 MANAGERS	 DURING	 AN	 ACTIVE	 SHOOTER	 SITUATION	.	
1. E	VACUATE	
• Have an escape route and plan in mind
• Leave your belongings behind
• Keep you
 r hands visible	
2. H	IDE	 OUT	
• Hide in an area out of the active shooter’s view.
• Block entry to your hiding place  and lock t
 he doors	
3. T	AKE	 	ACTION	
• As a last resort and only when 
your life is in imminent danger.
• Attempt to incapacitate the active  shoote
 r
• Act with physical aggression and  throw items at the active shooter	
CALL 911 WHEN IT IS  SAFE TO DO SO	
HOW TO RESPOND
WHEN LAW ENFORCEMENT ARRIVES ON THE SCENE	
1. H	OW	 YOU	 SHOULD	 REACT	 WHEN	 LAW	 ENFORCEMENT	 ARRIVES	:	
• Remain calm, and follow officers’ instructions • Avoid pointing, screaming and/or yelling
• Immedi	
ately raise hands and spread fingers • Do not stop to ask officers for help or direction when 
evacuating, just proceed in the direction from which 
officers are entering the premises
• Keep hands visible at all times
• Avoid making quick movements toward officers such as 
attempting to hold on to them for safety	
2. I	NFORMATION	 YOU	 SHOULD	 PROVIDE	 TO	 LAW	 ENFORCEMENT	 OR	 911 	OPERATOR	:	
• Location of the active shooter • Number and type of weapons held 
 by the sho	 oter/s
• Number of shooters, if more than one
•  Number of potential victims at the location
• Physical description of shooter/s	
RECOGNIZING SIGNS
OF POTENTIAL WORKPLACE VIOLENCE	
A	N	 ACTIVE	 SHOOTER	 MAY	 BE	 A	 CURRENT	 OR	 FORMER	 EMPLOYEE	.  A	LERT	 YOUR	 H	UMAN	 R	ESOURCES	 
D	
EPARTMENT	 IF	 YOU	 BELIEVE	 AN	 EMPLOYEE	 EXHIBITS	 POTENTIALLY	 VIOLENT	 BEHAVIOR	.  I	NDICATORS	 OF	 	
POTENTIALLY	 VIOLENT	 BEHAVIOR	 MAY	 INCLUDE	 ONE	 OR	 MORE	 OF	 THE	 FOLLOWING	:	
• Increased use of alcohol and/or illegal drugs
• Unexplained increase in absenteeism, and/or vague physical complaints
• Depres

sion/Withdrawal
• Increased severe mood swings, and noticeably unstable or emotional responses
• Increasingly talks of problems at home
• Increase in unsolicited comments about violence, firearms, and other dangerous weapons and violent crimes	
Contact your building management or human resources department 
for more information and training on active shooter response in your workplace.