While the chances of being caught in an active threat situation are extremely low, the nation’s recent string of shootings are sobering reminders that it’s imperative to know how to respond.
This year, the university’s annual campus-wide active threat drill will be held on Thursday, Feb. 9. All Westchester and Playa Vista Lions will receive an LMU Alert at 9:50 a.m. (and again at 4:30 p.m. for those with afternoon classes), announcing the start of the drill.
At this time, you should stop what you’re doing and think through the options of how you’d react in a real-life situation: Where are your exits? How would you barricade a door? What improvised weapons do you have nearby to disarm the shooter? LMU Emergency Management provides discussion questions in the 2023 drill guide to help facilitate discussion with classmates and colleagues.
What to do in the event of an active shooter:
- Run. Always run, if possible. Leave your belongings behind and keep hands visible.
- Hide. If you can’t run, hide. Lock the door or tie the doorknob with anything you can. Barricade doors and windows, close blinds and turn off lights, and silence cellphones.
- Fight. Only as a last resort and if you are in imminent danger, fight back. Attempt to incapacitate the shooter by throwing items or using improvised weapons like office equipment. Work with those around you and commit to your actions.
- In all instances, call 911 as soon as it’s safe to do so. Call if you can; text if you can’t.
In addition to learning the “Run. Hide. Fight.” method, all Lions should take a few minutes to review Emergency Management’s dedicated active threat website, including the training video and further readings. The page also offers an active shooter preparation checklist, tips for barricading a door, and downloadable drill flyers to hang in your classroom, office, or residence hall.
LMU Emergency Management recommends that you get in the habit of performing a quick mental exercise to determine your exits and emergency response for locations both on and off campus, including restaurants, movie theaters, malls, and more. While it’s statistically unlikely you’ll ever need to use this information, it’s empowering to have the confidence that you know how to survive.
If faculty or staff would like to schedule a walk-thru of their office or classroom, where a representative from LMU Emergency Management can help point out your best options for exits and barricades, please complete the training request form.
You can also take a more active role in your community preparedness by joining the LMU Emergency Response Team (ERT). ERT members are comprised of students, staff, and faculty, and receive hands-on trainings, exercises, and drills to support campus response efforts to hazards that LMU may face, including earthquakes, power outages, active threats, fires, and more. To learn more and get updates on future ERT orientations, visit the Emergency Response Team page.