Campus Guide for Active-Shooter Incidents

If you are involved in a situation where someone has entered the area and started shooting, the following is a list of actions that are recommended. It should be noted that these types of incident are unpredictable. The below guidelines are recommendations that are based on past best practices, but are subject to change depending on the scenario:

If the shooter is in the building:

1. Exit the building immediately
2. Notify anyone you may encounter to exit the building immediately.
3. Report to your building assembly area which is located at (view campus evacuation map - http://gwc.info/publicsafety/evacuation.html). This should be done only if it is reasonably safe to do so. Otherwise, it may be better to leave the campus.
4. Call 911 and the Golden West Public Safety Department (as soon as practical) from any campus emergency phone (view map - http://gwc.info/publicsafety/eep.html ) or from your cell phone (714) 895-8999.
5. The following information should be provided both to the 911 dispatcher and Public Safety operator:
• Your name
• Location of the incident (be as specific as possible)
• Number of shooters (if known)
• Identification or description of shooter
• Number of persons who may be involved
• Your location

If you are directly involved and exiting the building is not possible, the following actions are recommended:

1. Go to the nearest room or office
2. Close and lock the door
3. Cover the door windows
4. Keep quiet and act as if no one is in the room
5. DO NOT answer the door
6. Notify 911 and Public Safety as soon as practical
7. Give the 911 dispatcher and Public safety the following information:
   • Your name
   • Your location (be as specific as possible)
   • Number of shooters (if known)
   • Identification or description of shooter
   • Number of persons who may be involved
8. Wait for local police or security to assist you out of the building. 

Understanding Police Response

Police are trained to respond to an active shooting incident by entering the building as soon as possible, and proceeding to the area of the shooter(s). They will move quickly and directly. Early on in an incident, they may not be able to rescue people because their main goal is to get to the shooter(s). People need to try to remain calm and patient during this time, so as not to interfere with police operations.

Normally, a rescue team is formed shortly after the first responding officers enter the building.  They will be the Officers who will search for injured parties and get everyone safely out of the building. Do not attempt to get involved during the shooting or after as the police will have no idea about your status as an innocent bystander or an active participant.  Let them do their job.