In the wake of recent attacks on college campuses and a false alarm threat on campus, more than 100 Sonoma State University employees took advantage of a safety training to learn first hand what to do in case of an active shooter emergency.
The training follows a report of a person with a gun on campus on Friday, Oct. 30, which prompted two emergency notifications sent from Sonoma State police: The first said the suspect had been reported and where, telling recipients to "shelter in place." The next came minutes later, reporting that the person had been located, lifting the shelter in place order and confirming there was no emergency.
The incident turned out to be two students carrying fake rifles as part of a Halloween costume representing Taliban fighters. Questions of what to do during a real emergency were raised on campus, prompting SSU police to schedule an active shooter safety training for Nov. 17.
About 150 employees turned out for the training, which was led by SSU Police Chief Nate Johnson. The two-hour training included instructions on what to do during an emergency, with hands-on demonstrations of different types of (unloaded) weapons and how they work, and a guided walk through of a real-life situation featuring security camera footage of the Columbine High School shooting.
Columbine changed the way police departments across the country respond to active shooter incidents, says Johnson, who was Chief Law Enforcement Officer with the California State University Chancellor's Office before returning to his post as Sonoma State Chief of Police in 2013. While with the Chancellor's Office, Johnson's duties included training the office's staff and providing leadership on procedures and policy to all 23 campuses in the system.
Sonoma State held a campus-wide active shooter safety training last year as part of Safety Week in October. Police Services holds safety trainings for departments throughout the year or when requested, says Missy Brunetta, director of Emergency Services.
Police Services has information online regarding what to do in the event of an active shooter on campus, including two training videos and a training program. The first six-minute YouTube video can be viewed from anywhere, while the other, titled "Shots Fired," is available only to SSU students and employees.
Brunetta highly recommends taking the time to view one of the videos as a tool to consider how you might act if faced with an active shooter. She also emphasizes that it is important that all members of the SSU community take an active role in the prevention of violent crimes, and to report any person carrying a weapon on campus, or who is otherwise suspicious or threatening, by calling SSU Police Services at 911 or 707-664-4444, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Before an active shooter incident:
• Consider how you might respond in your residence hall, classroom, or office
• Consider your escape route
• Report suspicious persons to police
During an active shooter incident:
• Act. The sooner you act, the greater chance you have to survive.
• Run. If you can get away safely, run away. Alert others along the way and call 911 when you are safe.
• Hide. If you cannot get away safely, find a place to hide. Barricade doors, block windows, and silence phones.
• Fight. As a last resort, if you cannot run or hide, you will need to attempt to incapacitate the shooter. If possible, work with others and try to surprise the shooter.
• Remember, police may pass you as they respond to the shooter's location. Even if you are injured, they will not provide you with aid or assistance in evacuation until the threat is neutralized. Keep your hands empty and visible. Be patient, as emergency responders will come help you as soon as soon as possible.
After an active shooter incident:
• Police or emergency responders will facilitate evacuation after the incident is controlled. Police are often uncertain about additional shooters so keep your hands empty, raised and follow instructions.
• Notify emergency responders if you are injured and need medical care.
Take advantage of counseling and other resources to deal with the emotional trauma of the incident.
For more information visit:
https://www.sonoma.edu/ps/emergency/active_shooter
https://www.sonoma.edu/ps/police/crime_alert_bulletins/bul_2015_10_05_active_shooter.html