Active shooter events can happen in workplaces, government buildings, or public areas with little warning. Public works employees often work in facilities where the public has access, which creates potential risk. This guide teaches crews how to recognize danger, respond quickly using the Run, Hide, Fight model, communicate effectively, and assist law enforcement during and after an incident.
By the end of this training, workers should be able to:
• Recognize signs of a potentially dangerous situation.
• Understand the Run, Hide, Fight response model.
• Know how to safely evacuate or shelter in place.
• Communicate with coworkers and dispatch or supervisors during emergencies.
• Understand what to expect when law enforcement arrives.
• Follow agency procedures for reporting concerns or suspicious behavior.
• Floor plans or maps of your facility
• Example barricading materials for demonstration
• Agency emergency communication procedures
• Handouts summarizing Run, Hide, Fight steps
• Access to building exits for demonstration purposes
"Good morning everyone. Today we are going to talk about how to respond during an active shooter event. This is an uncomfortable topic, but it is important for our safety. These events are unpredictable, and decisions must be made quickly. We will focus on awareness, how to respond using Run, Hide, Fight, and how to communicate with law enforcement. Knowing what to do before an emergency can save lives."
• Exposure to violence during an attack
• Panic or confusion delaying a safe response
• Being unable to find a safe exit due to unfamiliarity with the building
• Moving toward danger because of poor situational awareness
• Failure to properly secure a hiding place
• Miscommunication during high stress situations
Stay aware of your surroundings. Know building entrances, exits, and safe rooms.
Trust your instincts. Report suspicious behavior or statements immediately.
Follow the Run, Hide, Fight model:
Run: If it is safe to do so, evacuate immediately. Leave belongings behind and help others escape only if it does not slow you down.
Hide: If evacuation is not possible, hide in a secure location. Lock doors, barricade with furniture, turn off lights, silence phones, and stay quiet.
Fight: As a last resort and only if you are in immediate danger, use aggressive action to disrupt or incapacitate the attacker.
When evacuating, run in a zigzag pattern only if you are exposed and cannot reach cover directly.
Keep your hands visible when law enforcement arrives. Follow instructions and do not run toward officers.
Do not stop to record video or attempt to gather belongings.
Provide information to authorities only when it is safe to do so.
After the incident, follow agency protocols for accounting for personnel and accessing support services.
• Walk the crew through primary and secondary evacuation routes.
• Show how to barricade a door using common office or shop items.
• Demonstrate the importance of staying out of view by choosing proper hiding positions.
• Show how to silence phones and minimize noise.
• Review how to safely signal law enforcement once the area is secure.
• Have workers identify exits and potential hiding locations in your building.
• Ask small groups to walk through a scenario and decide whether to run, hide, or fight.
• Review facility maps and highlight areas that offer good protection.
• Ask workers to identify communication responsibilities during an emergency.
• What are some early warning signs of concerning behavior?
• What makes a hiding place effective?
• How can we improve communication during emergencies at our facility?
• Why is it important to keep hands visible when law enforcement arrives?
• What responsibilities does each employee have in staying prepared?
Insert your agency’s workplace violence prevention plan, communication tree, facility specific evacuation procedures, emergency notification systems, and reporting protocols for concerning behavior.
PPE is not typically associated with active shooter events. Focus instead on situational awareness, secure sheltering areas, and familiarity with exits. However, for facility walkthroughs or barricading demonstrations, standard PPE such as safety footwear or safety glasses may be required depending on the environment.
• Awareness and preparation reduce risk during an active shooter event.
• Use the Run, Hide, Fight model based on your situation.
• Know facility exits, safe rooms, and communication procedures.
• Keep calm, act quickly, and follow law enforcement instructions.
• Reporting concerning behavior early can prevent violent incidents.
What is the primary first response strategy during an active shooter event?
a. Fight
b. Run
c. Hide
True or False: You should call 911 as soon as you hear gunfire, even if you are still in danger.
What steps make a hiding place more secure?
(Short answer)
Why is it important to keep your hands visible when officers arrive?
(Short answer)
Which of the following should be reported to supervisors or HR?
a. Threatening statements
b. Violent behavior
c. Significant changes in behavior that cause concern
d. All of the above
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