Acts of Mass Violence

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security recommends all individuals take the time to learn more about what is often termed as an “active shooter.”

An Active Shooter is an individual actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a confined and populated area; in most cases, active shooters use firearms and there is no pattern or method to their selection of victims.

Active shooter situations are unpredictable and evolve quickly. Typically, the immediate deployment of law enforcement is required to stop the shooting and mitigate harm to victims.

Because active shooter situations are often over within 10 to 15 minutes, before law enforcement arrives on the scene, individuals must be prepared both mentally and physically to deal with an active shooter situation.

Good practices for coping with an active shooter situation

  • Be aware of your environment and any possible dangers.
  • Take note of the exits in any facility you visit.
  • If you are in an office, stay there and secure the door.
  • If you are in a hallway, get into a room and secure the door.
  • Call 9-1-1 when it is safe to do so.

Since 2002, the  Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT)™ Program at Texas State University has been used to train law enforcement officers across the nation in how to rapidly respond to dangerous active threat situations.  Over the years we’ve seen response times shorten and the capabilities of law enforcement increase.  As a result of increased public awareness, many citizens have asked what individuals can do protect themselves and reduce the dangers faced during one of these events. Avoid | Deny |Defend™ has been developed as an easy to remember method for individuals to follow.  As we’ve seen that hiding and hoping isn’t a very effective strategy.

Watch the Avoid Deny Defend Video below on You Tube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0It68YxLQQ) for an 11.5 minute overview of how to save your life in an Active Shooter Event.  What You Do Matters.    

For More Information


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Know what to do if there is a threat of a workplace or school shooting or other act of mass violence.

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Run.Hide.Fight® | Surviving an Active Shooter Event
Run. Hide. Fight.® is a registered trademark of the City of Houston.

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Avoid Deny Defend™: The intuitive, easy-to-remember three step plan for survival in the event of an active shooter event or other public acts of violence.