What to Do in Case of an Armed Intruder?
Whenever a school faces a terrifying situation of an armed intruder, the safety and security of students and staff become the top priority.
Such emergencies need quick, well-coordinated responses to ensure everyone remains safe. Knowing exactly what to do in these panic situations can make all the difference.
At Wihkum, we are dedicated to enhancing school safety with our advanced emergency response app. Designed specifically for high-alert situations like dealing with an armed intruder, our app helps schools manage such threats effectively. With services like immediate alerts, lockdown guidance, and secure communication, we make sure that schools are well-prepared to handle emergencies.
In this blog post, we will outline quick steps to take when you see an armed intruder. Additionally, we’ll explore, how our safety solutions can support schools in maintaining a secure environment.
Let’s get started!
Emergency Guidelines for Active Shooter and School Intruder Response
When facing an armed intruder, it’s crucial to stay calm and make the right choices to ensure your safety. Here’s what you should do in different situations:
If You’re Trapped in an Open Area
- Run to the Safe Place
If you think you can safely leave the area, do so quickly. Try to put obstacles like walls, trees, or cars between you and the armed intruder. Once you’re at a safe distance, call for help and warn others about the danger.
- Evacuate if Safe / Leave the Building
If you are far from the intruder and it’s safe, evacuate the building using pre-planned routes. Make sure to take as many people with you as possible, and keep calm while ensuring everyone is accounted for.
- Avoid Elevators
In emergencies, elevators might not be safe. Always use stairs to evacuate.
- Find a Safe Place to Hide
Find a safe spot where the intruder can’t see you. Stay calm and quiet while you wait for emergency services to arrive or until it’s safe to leave. Note that simply ducking and covering, like in an earthquake drill, is not effective against an armed intruder.
- Don’t Rely on Playing Dead
Pretending to be dead is not a reliable tactic and is not recommended by local law enforcement.
- Only Fight Back as a Last Resort
If you’re very close to the intruder and can’t escape, fighting back may be necessary. This is risky but can be your best try.
- Use anything you can. Grab nearby objects to defend yourself.
- Target sensitive areas like eyes, groin, nose, throat, or knees.
- Use your elbows, palms, or forehead. Avoid punching unless trained, as it can hurt your hand.
If you’re caught by the intruder and can’t fight back, avoid eye contact, make no sudden moves, and try to stay calm.
If You’re Stuck in a Classroom or Office
Start Lockdown Procedures
- Lock doors and windows to prevent anyone from entering.
- Turn off lights and cover windows to make the room appear empty.
- Keep quiet and out of sight;stay hidden behind heavy furniture and remain as quiet as possible.
Turn Off Equipment
Turn off any electronic devices and close blinds or curtains if possible.
Here comes the advanced and proficient guide, so most importantly;
- Take Action for Wihkum’s Emergency Help and Response
Use the Wihkum app to send a silent emergency alert immediately. This will notify authorities and key staff without drawing attention. This is how you can get safe with Wihkum’s quick response security services:
Wihkum’s Safety Solution in Armed Intruder Situations
Wihkum offers specialised features to boost school safety and security when facing emergencies like an armed intruder:
Immediate Alerts / Duress Alarms:
Our app sends immediate alerts to authorities and staff without making a loud noise. Instead of a traditional panic button, Wihkum uses a duress alarm that is a silent alert on a smartphone. This feature is perfect for situations where drawing attention could make things worse.
Quick, Real-time Updates & Communication:
Once the alert is triggered, it can:
- Place a voice call to the school administration,
- Send an email to the school’s monitored mailbox,
- Push a notification to the nearest trained staff member.
Geofence:
We create a virtual boundary around the school using GPS technology. This geofence helps pinpoint the exact location of the person who activated the alert. Thus, we quickly find the students wherever they are trapped; in the classrooms or in an open area, ensuring immediate help and response.
Automatic Lockdown Activation:
When dealing with an armed intruder, our app can send immediate, automated lockdown alerts to all staff members. This ensures that everyone is quickly informed and knows exactly what to do.
Master users provide step-by-step instructions on how to lock down classrooms and other areas. These instructions help staff secure doors, turn off lights, and ensure that all students and staff are safely hidden from view.
Once the lockdown is in effect, our app keeps everyone updated with real-time information.
For added safety, Wihkum’s silent alert feature lets staff initiate lockdown procedures discreetly, avoiding any actions that can worsen the situation.
Evacuation Procedures
Our app helps schools map out and communicate the safest evacuation routes. This ensures that everyone knows the quickest and safest way to leave the building.
We send immediate evacuation alerts to all relevant staff members. This helps coordinate the evacuation process and ensures that everyone is alerted in a timely manner. This way, you can also track the progress of the evacuation in real time. This helps ensure that everyone has exited the building safely and reached designated assembly points.
Custom Emergency Plans:
We work with schools to create personalised emergency response plans that address their unique needs and scenarios. With Wihkum, schools can handle armed intruder situations with confidence and precision, ensuring the safety of everyone involved.
Don’t wait for an emergency to find out if your school is prepared.
Download the Wihkum App for Your School Safe & Security
Get Immediate Emergency Response & Help!
Ensure your school is equipped with the best tools for handling armed intruders. Reach out to us or visit our website to learn more and subscribe to our safety services.
Let’s make your school a safer place, together.