Are You Prepared for an Active Incident?

While the prospect of an active incident is scary, it is most unlikely you’ll ever be harmed by an active shooter. With over 28 million college students in the United States, the odds of facing this type of situation on a U.S. campus are less than three in a million. Even though the odds of confronting an active shooter are low, we want to share the following themes that can help keep you safe:

1. Expect the unexpected. Look at people critically. Look for behavioral changes; suspicious packages; inappropriate dress (e.g., a long coat on a summer day could conceal a rifle); seeming depression; absenteeism; loss of interest in school, friends and favored activities; etc.
2. If you see something concerning or something that arouses your suspicion, report your concerns immediately to the NOVA College Police at 703-764-5000. Call us even if you are not sure you have observed criminal behavior. NOVA Police rely on information from the entire NOVA community to keep our campuses safe and we respond to all reports. The LiveSafe mobile safety app, available at no cost to the NOVA community at the NOVA PD website, is a great way of providing emergency information in an unobtrusive way.
3. Until police arrive at the scene to respond to an active shooter, you must ensure your own safety. Develop a plan for each location you frequent.
4. Time is critical. Be prepared to act decisively and commit to survive: If you encounter an active shooter, you have three options, summarized in this excellent response video.

• • Run. Evacuate the area immediately. This may be your best chance of survival!  Even if the shooter is approaching you, you are more likely to survive by running away, since a moving target is difficult to hit. Furthermore, if injured, you will receive medical attention sooner if you can evacuate the area. If the event is inside, prevent others from entering the building.
  • Hide. If you cannot evacuate, lock the doors, turn off lights and silence cell phones; hide behind heavy objects that will stop a bullet, as far out of view from windows as possible and remain quiet. Do not huddle together. 
  • Fight. If evacuation is not possible and you’re actually confronting the shooter who’s putting your life in imminent danger, go on the offensive.  Yell, improvise weapons, throw articles, attack, and secure the shooter until help arrives.  Putting the shooter on the defensive will minimize innocent casualties.

5. Expect a robust police response.

• • The immediate goal of police is to end the threat. They will not stop to help the wounded or assist evacuees until the threat is neutralized. Don’t get in the way or contribute to an already confusing situation. 
  • Keep your hands visible and make no quick or unpredictable movements. Leave your handbag and backpack behind; police will assume it could be hiding a bomb or weapon. Seek cover but do not drive from campus lest you impede the arrival of life-saving emergency vehicles.

NOVA Police offers detailed active incidence response training to classes, faculty and staff meetings, clubs, convocations, etc.  Contact Lt. John Weinstein to schedule a training.

Submitted by:
Lt. John Weinstein, NOVA PD, 571-422-9928 or jweinstein@nvcc.edu