How To Respond

If you encounter an active shooter or violent intruder quickly determine the most reasonable way to protect your own life. Assist injured persons if you can do this safely. Follow the A.L.I.C.E. program of response:

Alert

Be aware of your surroundings and unusual activity. Take note of emergency notifications (text messages, e-mails, announcements, etc.).

Lockdown

If you are in a classroom or office, stay there, lock the door and evaluate the following:

• What is the location of the suspect(s)?
• Can you evacuate? If so, do it. Consider alternate exits such as windows.

If the door does not lock, use heavy furniture to barricade it.

Silence sources of noise (cell phones, radios, televisions).

Do not respond to voice commands until you can be sure they are coming from a police officer. Do not open the door until you can be positive it is a police officer or a recognized campus official coming to help you.

Close and lock windows, lower blinds, remain out of sight, turn off lights.

Hide behind large items -- concrete walls, thick desks, filing cabinets, away from windows and doors -- that can stop bullets.

Inform

If safe to do so, from a campus phone, call 8911 (or simply 911 from a cell phone) to reach local emergency responders. Then, call 1200 (or 816.604.1200 from a cell phone) to alert MCC Police/Public Safety. Only one person from the room should call. Tell police where you are, where the intruder is and the condition of others with you. Follow their instructions. If you cannot speak, leave the line open to allow the dispatcher to listen.

Counter

As a last resort, and only if your life is in imminent danger, attempt to disrupt or incapacitate the suspect(s) by:

• Acting as aggressively as possible against him/her.
• Throwing items and improvising weapons (textbooks, laptops, lamps).
• Yelling

Escape

If there is an accessible escape path, attempt to evacuate the location. Be sure to:

• Have an escape route and plan in mind.
• Evacuate whether or not others agree to follow.
• Leave personal belongings behind.
• Keep your hands visible and empty. As you move through open areas, keep hands elevated with open palms visible, especially if encountering responding law enforcement officers.
• Follow instructions of any law enforcement.

These are only guidelines, but with reminders and training, they can increase your chances of surviving an active shooter/violent intruder incident.

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