If the shooter is IN your building:
- Have an escape route and plan in mind.
- Leave your belongings behind.
- Keep your hands visible.
- Avoid quick movements toward officers. Do not attempt to hold on to them for safety.
- Do not stop to ask officers for help or directions.
Information to give to law enforcement:
- Location of the active shooter(s)
- Number of shooters
- Physical description of shooter(s)
- Number and type of weapon(s)
- Number and location of potential victim
- If you are in an open area or unsecured space and cannot leave the building, immediately move yourself and all others into an office, classroom or other area that can be secured.
- Hide in an area out of the shooter’s view.
- If you are unable to move inside to an area that can be secured, do your best to hide.
- Close and lock the door behind you, if possible. If the door cannot be locked, barricade the door with heavy, solid objects (e.g., desks, tables, cabinets).
- Place yourself and others in the room behind a solid object away from the interior door.
- Close any blinds facing interior spaces.
- Turn off lights and computer screens.
- Place cell phones on silent, but monitor them for O-Alert updates. Also monitor the SUNY Oneonta webpage.
- Remain out of sight and away from uncovered windows and doors with windows.
- Keep others calm and quiet.
- Should a fire alarm go off in your building while the incident is in progress and the “All Clear” has not been given, disregard the alarm unless you see or smell smoke and/or fire.
- Do this as a last resort and only when your life is in imminent danger.
- Attempt to incapacitate the shooter.
- Act with physical aggression.
- Throw items at the shooter.
Comply when officers arrive:
- Remain calm and follow the officers’ instructions.
- Put down any items in your hands (e.g., cell phone, bag).
- Immediately raise your hands and spread your fingers.
- Keep your hands visible at all times.
- Do not yell, scream or point.
- Avoid quick movements toward officers.
- Do not attempt to hold on to them for safety.
- Do not stop to ask officers for help or directions.
- And if you have a clearly visible and readily available exit, leave the building immediately.
- Warn others of danger as you leave.
- DO NOT signal an evacuation using the fire alarm.
- Once outside the building, move quickly across any open areas and try to keep large objects such as cars and trees between you and the shooter as you run.
- Call University Police at 607-436-3550.
- Immediately move to another building and take protective cover as described above. Remain there until police arrive or you receive an official “All Clear” message.
- If you receive notification that there is someone with a weapon on campus, but not in your building, immediately go to the nearest room.
- Close and lock the door behind you, if possible.
- If the door cannot be locked, barricade the door with heavy, solid objects (e.g., desks, tables, cabinets).
- Place yourself and others in the room behind a solid object away from the interior door.
- Close any blinds facing interior spaces.
- Turn off lights and computer screens.
- Place cell phones on silent, but monitor them for O-Alert updates. Also check the SUNY Oneonta webpage.
- Remain out of sight and away from uncovered windows and doors with windows.
- Keep others calm and quiet.
- Should a fire alarm go off in your building while the incident is in progress and the “All Clear” has not been given, disregard the alarm unless you see or smell smoke and/or fire.
This preparedness guide for students, faculty, staff and visitors has been provided to you by SUNY Oneonta. We encourage you to familiarize yourself with how SUNY Oneonta plans for emergencies, and to improve your understanding of emergency preparedness and response. This guide is based on presently available information, as well as current federal- and state-recommended protective actions. In every situation, common sense and awareness of personal safety should take precedence over any action described in this guide.