If facing an active shooter/violent intruder situation, use the below recommendations to guide your response decisions.

RUN – when an active shooter/violent intruder is nearby:

HIDE – if you are not in immediate danger or evacuation is not possible, find a safe place to hide:

Your hiding place should:

FIGHT – as a last resort and only if your life is in immediate danger:

Information You Should Provide to the Emergency Dispatcher:

  • Your exact location
  • Location of the active shooter / violent intruder
  • Number of attackers, if more than one
  • Physical description of attacker(s)
  • Number and type of weapons held by the attacker(s)

How to React When Law Enforcement Arrives:

  • Remain calm, and follow officers’ instructions
  • Raise hands and spread fingers
  • Keep hands visible at all times
  • Avoid making quick movements toward officers
  • Do not stop to ask officers for help

Prevention and Preparedness 

The Institute has numerous measures in place that are  designed to prevent, prepare for, and respond to an active shooter / violent intruder incident:

Ways to Report Concerning Behavior:

Prevention:

Active Shooter/Violent Intruder Training

In conjunction with MIT Police, MIT Emergency Management conducts two progressive phases of Active Shooter/Violent Intruder training for the MIT community. The first phase is a classroom-based training that reviews communications, shows the Ohio State “Surviving an Active Shooter” video, and teaches the Run, Hide, Fight methodology. The second phase is a walkthrough of your area to provide specific suggestions on how to best improve and/or utilize the space. Visit this page, or email em-staff@mit.edu, to learn more.