Finding yourself in an active aggressor situation can cause extreme panic and disorientation. But if you know what to do ahead of time, your chances of surviving this type of emergency situation are greatly increased.
An active threat situations are unpredictable and can change rapidly. Your response will depend on specific circumstances at the time.
| AVOID | DENY | DEFEND |
| Be aware of your surroundings. Have an exit plan. Move away from the source of the threat as quickly as possible. The more distance and barriers between you and the threat, the better. | Keep distance between you and the source. Create barriers to prevent or slow down a threat from getting to you. Turn the lights off. Remain out of sight and quiet by hiding behind large objects and silence your phone. | If you cannot Avoid or Deny, be prepared to defend yourself. Be aggressive and committed to your actions. Do not fight fairly. |
Information You Should Provide to the 9-1-1 Operator
- Clarify if you are on the University of Rhode Island campus
- Location of the active shooter
- Number of shooters, if more than one
- Physical description of shooter(s)
- Number and type of weapons held by the shooter(s)
- Number of potential victims at the location
How to React When Law Enforcement Arrives
- Remain calm, and follow officers’ instructions
- Immediately raise hands and spread fingers
- Keep hands visible at all times
- Avoid making quick movements toward officers such as attempting to hold on to them for safety
- Avoid pointing, screaming and/or yelling
- Do not stop to ask officers for help or direction when evacuating, just proceed in the direction from which officers are entering the premises
Active Threat Response Training
The URI Police Department, in collaboration with the URI Office of Emergency Management, offer Active Threat response training sessions. If your department is interested in hosting a session, submit a request to shawn_miner@uri.edu.