Active Shooter Response Guide | School Safety Measures
It’s a reality no school wants to face, yet everyone must prepare for.
The fear of school shootings, once seen as a distant concern, now sits closer to home. Teachers & parents around the world live with the quiet worry: “What if it happens in my school?” Students even fear coming to the schools, after hearing such news.
So, what to do?
We can keep everyone calm and prepared and actually saves life if we have proper plan in hand. Yup, we are talking about school active shooter response. Let’s set the protocols straight for dealing with such situation.
And if you need a systematic & digital response, install Wihkum. Our app gives teachers and staff immediate emergency help for school, turning fear into fast & coordinated action.
Why There’s Need for School Active Shooter Response?
Active shooter situation means an armed person is “actively engaged in killing or trying to kill people in a confined and populated area.” These situations are unpredictable and evolve quickly. So, everyone should be prepared to deal with the situation.
They can happen anywhere, and unfortunately, schools are victim of them too.
Rising Incidents of School Shootings Worldwide
School shootings remain a serious threat around the world in past decade.
Many developed countries have seen devastating cases where schools, once considered safe spaces, have become targets of violence. According to CNN, there have been 23 school shootings this year in United States until May 13. College campuses and school grounds both were affected, with 9 causalities & even higher number of injuries.
More recently, a disastrous event of school shooting has happened in Austria. It alone has caused 10 causalities and 11 injuries including security providers (Source). Another incident is reported involving a female teen shooter in US, which is even more disturbing.
Each of these events reminds us that more urgent than ever before. And there is need to build a strong & proactive safety culture in every school.
Are Australian Schools Also at Risk?
For many years, Australians keep on hearing about worldwide active shootings. As strict gun laws here helped keep firearm-related violence relatively low. However, recent data show that the threat is no longer distant.
Though fewer in number, violent incidents including threats of shootings are also reported in Australian schools. Not much time has passed when an active shooter was spotted in WA school. Although no harm reported, but the event has spread a wave of terror across country.
Read Details at: Perth Teen Becomes First in Australia to be Jailed for School Shooting
The situation, if not controlled on time, can escalate dangerously. Hence, there is need for proactive measures to protect students in schools from such incidents.
School Active Shooter Response & Safety Measures
So, what to do in these alarming times? Let us help you develop a thoroughly effective plan and set defined safety measures for school.
Pre-Incident Preparation: Designing Emergency Help for School
Preparing for emergencies is important to minimise risks and implement an effective action when needed. School Authorities need to:
- Develop a school emergency response plan that includes the defined procedures for lockdowns, evacuations, & reunification processes. Review and update the plan regularly to address new safety concerns and protocols.
- Conduct regular drills and training for students, teachers, and staff to practice emergency responses. They should mimic realistic scenarios to help everyone understand how to react quickly in high-stress situations.
- Enhance campus security measures tomonitor and prevent unauthorised access. E.g. security cameras, controlled access points & metal detectors.
- Hire trained security personnel and establish partnerships with local law enforcement for increased campus security. Because having trained and armed personnel around discourage the shooters.
- Implement clear communication systems so, everyone stays aware of the situation and can take appropriate action. E.g. public address systems, mass notification apps & emergency alerts.
During School Shooting Incident: Survival and Response Plan
If a shooting incident occurs, right steps can help in protecting students in schools & mitigate the risk of harm. The proven formula of action during such situation is Run, Hide & Fight. School administration should make each student learn and practice it in drills.
- RUN | Evacuate
‘Run’ away when you sense danger but the armed person is far from you.
- If you can exit safely, do it immediately and get to a secure location.
- Leave your belongings behind to move swiftly.
- Keep your hands visible to first responders or security personnel.
- Encourage others to follow. But don’t delay your escape if others are hesitant.
- Call the emergency services or school authorities if you can.
- HIDE | Lockdown
‘Hide’ if you can’t safely escape and need to stay out of sight.
- Choose a hiding place with solid barriers, like walls and furniture, and as few windows as possible.
- Lock doors and barricade them with any available furniture to reinforce your hiding spot.
- Turn off lights, silence phones, and turn off other electronic devices.
- Close blinds or shades and avoid any movement that could expose your location to the shooter.
- If outside and unable to run safely, find cover, such as behind brick walls, large trees, or buildings.
- Send an alert to school administrators and nearby responders of your location and status without drawing attention.
- FIGHT | Last Resort
‘Fight’ if there are no other options, using whatever means are available to protect yourself.
- Act decisively to incapacitate the shooter, as your life is in danger.
- Use any items around you to defend yourself. E.g. fire extinguishers, chairs, or other objects.
- Disrupt the shooter’s actions with as much aggression as you can.
- If possible, throw items at the shooter to disorient them.
Other Strategies We Recommend:
- Remember that, in a crisis, staying calm can save lives. Panic spreads confusion, so keep your senses calm and active. helps others follow directions better.
- Teachers and other staff should act as leaders and help the should with clear & simple instructions.
- If it’s safe, offer first aid to those injured until help arrives. Basic knowledge of first aid can be priceless in emergencies.
- Stay vigilant and avoid actions that could increase danger. Like opening doors for unknown individuals or moving out of your hiding place before law enforcement arrives.
- Wait for clear instructions from authorities before making any moves.
Explore more at: What to Do in Case of an Armed Intruder?
Post-Incident – Recovery and Support
Even if the immediate danger has passed, the task isn’t over. Recovery and reporting of incident are as important as survival and action. The required steps include:
- Schools should have a reunification plan to safely reconnect students with their families. Designate a safe, organised location where parents can meet their children.
- After a traumatic event, everyone experiences emotional distress, anxiety, or PTSD. Schools should offer counselling services and resources to students, staff, and families.
- Gather input from staff, students, and local authorities to assess how the emergency response plan worked and identify areas for improvement. A thorough review will help improve the protocols to handle any potential emergencies.
- Assess the effectiveness of current security measures and make necessary updates. Consider additional investments in technology to prevent repetition of incidents.
Use of Technology in School Call for Help: What Wihkum Offers?
In today’s world, every security plan is incomplete without the use of technology.Let’s see how ourinnovative solutions can enhance school protection strategies.
| Incident Phase | Safety Measure | Wihkum App Feature | How it Can Help |
| Pre-Incident | Emergency Plan Customisation | Customisable emergency response plans | Everyone knows what to do in case of active shooting incident. |
| Discreet / Silent Activation | Silent, smartphone-based alerts / Duress Alarms | Silent alerts prevent drawing attention. | |
| Real-time Location Tracking | GPS Tracking pinpoints the exact location of alerts | Staff and responders have accurate location data for enhancing the speed and precising emergency responses. | |
| Multi-Channel Communication | Voice calls Email notifications Push notifications | Alerts reach multiple channels for rapid response. | |
| During Incident | Run, Hide, & Fight Protocol | Real-time tracking and push notifications for situational guidance on barricading and hiding | Help staff and students act according to the particular situation. |
| Medical Assistance | Communication with directs responders | Quick help for minor wounds or serious injuries. | |
| Silent Communication | Silent alert system | Reduces the risk of escalating the situation by discreetly alerting staff and authorities without loud alarms | |
| Post-Incident | Incident Reporting | Email and in-app incident reporting and record logs. | Records communication logs for post-crisis review and protocol improvement |
| Safety Protocol Improvement | Incident data review and protocol refinement options. | Schools can analyse data to improve response times and protocols. |
Is your school equipped to respond effectively to a shooting incident?
Improve Your School’s Safety with Wihkum’s Emergency Response Solutions
We provide you the tool necessary for protecting students and staff during critical situations. Security features of Wihkum app can help you cope up with school active shootings and other emergencies.
Don’t wait for an emergency to strike and prepare your school for the unexpected.