Type of Emergency
Run, Hide, Fight Training Video
How to respond if an active shooter is in your vicinity
Do not sound the fire alarm. A fire alarm would signal the occupants to evacuate the building and thus place them in potential harm as they attempted to exit.
Run: If a clear escape path is available, the best option is to evacuate the area immediately. Individuals should:
- Have an escape route and be aware of alternate exits.
- Evacuate regardless of whether others agree to follow.
- Leave belongings behind.
- Help others escape, if able.
- Warn others from entering an area where the active shooter may be.
- Keep hands visible to law enforcement upon encountering them and follow their instructions.
Hide: If evacuation is not possible, find a secure place to hide. This involves getting out of the shooter’s view, locking and barricading doors, silencing cell phones, turning off lights, and remaining quiet.
Your hiding place should:
- Be out of the suspect’s view.
- Provide concealment and protection if shots are fired in your direction (i.e., a room with a closed and locked door if possible).
Actions you should take when hiding:
- Lock the door, if possible.
- Barricade the door with whatever is available – heavy furniture, door wedges, file cabinets, etc.
- Close windows, shades and curtains.
- Cover any windows or openings that have a direct line of sight into the hallway.
- Line everyone up away from doors and windows. Use the same wall as the door if possible.
- Silence all cell phones and other electronic devices
- Turn off any source of noise (i.e. radios, televisions, etc.)
- Hide behind large items (i.e., cabinets, desks)
- Remain silent
Fight: As a last resort, and only if your life is in imminent danger, attempt to disrupt and/or incapacitate the suspect by:
- Committing fully to your actions and acting as aggressively as possible against him/her.
- Using anything available to incapacitate the shooter. To include throwing items and using improvised weapons (e.g., chairs, fire extinguishers).
- Working with others, if possible.
Call University Police at (585) 395-2222, when it is safe to do so. If possible, provide a description of the suspect and their location. If you cannot speak, leave the line open and allow the dispatcher to listen.
What to Expect When Law Enforcement Arrives
Law enforcement’s immediate priority is to locate and stop the threat as quickly as possible. Officers may move directly toward the location of the reported threat or last known gunfire.
When officers arrive:
- Officers may arrive individually or in teams and may be from multiple law enforcement agencies.
- Officers may wear standard patrol uniforms, external body armor, helmets, or other tactical equipment.
- Officers may be armed with handguns, rifles, shotguns, or other law enforcement equipment.
- Officers may shout commands or physically direct individuals to the ground or away from an area for their safety.
- Initial responding officers may move past injured persons because their immediate priority is to locate and stop the threat.
Additional law enforcement officers and emergency medical personnel will follow when conditions allow. These personnel will provide emergency medical care, assist injured persons, secure affected areas, and conduct additional searches to ensure the threat has ended.
Even after the immediate threat appears to have stopped, continue to follow all law enforcement instructions. Officers may need to search buildings and surrounding areas before an area can be considered safe.
How to Respond to Law Enforcement
When encountering law enforcement during or immediately following an active shooter incident:
- Remain calm and follow officers’ instructions.
- Put down any items you are carrying, such as bags, backpacks, jackets, or cell phones.
- Keep your hands empty, raised, and clearly visible.
- Avoid sudden or unexpected movements toward officers.
- Do not attempt to grab or hold onto officers.
- Avoid pointing, screaming, or yelling unless necessary to communicate immediate threat information.
- When evacuating, continue in the direction instructed by law enforcement and do not stop responding officers to ask questions or request assistance.
Once you reach a safe location, law enforcement may direct you to an assembly, reunification, or other designated area. You may be asked to remain there while officers account for individuals, identify witnesses, collect information, or continue securing the incident.
Do not leave a designated assembly or reunification area until instructed or authorized to do so by law enforcement or University officials.
Accessibility and Individual Emergency Planning
Individual circumstances may affect a person’s ability to perform some actions described in active shooter emergency guidance. Members of the University community who may require assistance during an emergency are encouraged to plan in advance based on their individual needs, work or learning environment, and available support resources.
Employees
University employees who may require an accommodation or assistance with individual emergency planning should contact the University’s ADA Compliance Officer/Assistant Vice President for Human Resources at (585) 395-2442.
The ADA Compliance Officer can work with the employee and appropriate University personnel to identify reasonable strategies and resources based on the individual’s needs and work environment.
Students
Students who may require assistance or accommodations should contact Student Accessibility Services at (585) 395-5409 or sasoffice@brockport.edu.
Students are encouraged to discuss emergency planning needs in advance so appropriate strategies and available resources can be identified.
Building Evacuation Resources
Students and employees may also consult the University’s Building Evacuation Policy for additional information regarding emergency evacuation procedures and resources for individuals who may require assistance evacuating non-residential University buildings.
During any emergency, circumstances may change rapidly. Follow emergency notifications and instructions from law enforcement, emergency responders, and University officials whenever it is safe and possible to do so.
If the threat is received by phone, remain calm and:
- Keep the caller on the telephone and try to obtain as much information as possible (e.g., location, time, description).
- Listen carefully to all information provided by the caller.
- Make a note of any noises heard during the conversation.
If a written threat is received:
- Handle it as little as possible.
- Note the date, time and location you received the written threat on a separate piece of paper.
In all cases, call University Police at (585) 395-2222 right away.
Treat all evacuation notices—including fire alarms, emergency messages, and Everbridge alerts—seriously.
- Get up and get out immediately but do not run and do not panic.
- Grab only small items close to you. If they are in the same room as you, take your keys and phone with you.
- As the last person leaves a room or area, they should close the door behind them, but do not lock the door.
- Use stairwells to exit the building. Do not use elevators.
- Leave through the nearest safe exit.
- If your exit is blocked or unsafe, locate an alternate route.
- Proceed to your evacuation assembly area.
- Await instructions and do not re-enter the building until authorized by first responders or SUNY Brockport officials.
- While exiting the building, please be mindful of, and helpful to, individuals who may need assistance with evacuation.
Individuals in Need of Exit Assistance
It is highly recommended that those individuals who may need assistance in exiting a building work with another person to develop a plan. It is generally advised that the individual needing assistance:
- Wait in the nearest area of refuge. If the building does not have an area of refuge, wait inside a stairwell (one that is separated from the hallway with doors). If this is not possible, enter an office that has a window, attempt to block the bottom of the door with clothing, and wait by the window.
- Call University Police at (585) 395-2222 to inform them of your location.
- Ask another person to also call University Police or find an on-scene emergency responder and report your location.
Cyber incidents such as system outages, phishing attempts, or data breaches can disrupt campus technology. If you suspect a cyber issue:
- Do not click suspicious links or attachments.
- Disconnect the affected device from the network.
- Report the incident immediately to the IS&T Help Desk.
If the issue poses an immediate threat to campus operations or safety, call University Police at (585) 395-2222.
During a campus-wide outage, follow official updates through Everbridge alerts, social media, or the university website, and wait for instructions before resuming system use.
Know at least two exits from every building you enter. If the fire alarm sounds:
- Get up and get out immediately but do not run and do not panic.
- Grab only small items close to you. If they are in the same room as you, take your keys and phone with you.
- As the last person leaves a room or area, they should close the door behind them, but do not lock the door.
- Do not use elevators during a fire alarm, as they are programmed to be shut down during a fire alarm.
- Exit the building and move a safe distance away.
- Proceed to your evacuation assembly area.
- Await instructions and do not re-enter the building until authorized by first responders or SUNY Brockport officials.
- While exiting the building, please be mindful of, and helpful to, individuals who may need assistance with evacuation.
Individuals in Need of Exit Assistance
It is highly recommended that those individuals who may need assistance in exiting a building work with another person to develop a plan. It is generally advised that the individual needing assistance:
- Wait in the nearest area of refuge. If the building does not have an area of refuge, wait inside a stairwell (one that is separated from the hallway with doors). If this is not possible, enter an office that has a window, attempt to block the bottom of the door with clothing, and wait by the window.
- Call University Police at (585) 395-2222 to inform them of your location.
- Ask another person to also call University Police or find an on-scene emergency responder and report your location.
If a hazardous material spill occurs:
- Alert others in the area immediately.
- Evacuate the area if necessary and, if conditions warrant, activate the fire alarm.
- Once safe, call University Police at (585) 395-2222.
- Wait outside the building until first responders arrive. Provide details such as any injuries, the spill location, type and amount of material, and how the spill occurred.
If someone is injured or becomes seriously ill, call University Police at (585) 395-2222 immediately.
Be prepared to provide:
- Your name.
- Location.
- Phone number.
- Type of emergency.
- Number and condition of those involved.
- Care already provided.
- Directions to the scene.
Before help arrives:
- Provide care if trained (first aid, CPR, AED).
- Retrieve needed equipment (first aid kit, AED, etc.).
- Control the scene and keep bystanders back.
- Meet first responders and direct them to the location.
- Remain on-scene until relieved by University Police or medical personnel.
- If you detect an odor of natural gas, alert others nearby and evacuate the immediate area, recommended evacuation distance is 300ft.
- DO NOT activate the fire alarm system or turn on off/on any electrical equipment while evacuating, as this may generate a spark which can trigger an explosion.
- Designated Evacuation Assembly Areas.
- During periods of inclement weather, personnel in the Evacuation Assembly Area may relocate to a nearby building.
- Once in a safe location, notify University Police at 585-395-2222 (from off-campus phone) or 2222 from an on-campus phone.
- Provide location of natural gas odor.
- Please do not hang up until the dispatcher has advised to do so.
- University Police will notify Facilities to investigate the odor.
- A representative from Facilities will respond to determine the source of the odor and attempt to isolate any confirmed leaks.
- Meet with the responding engineer and provide as much detail as possible.
- Once the area has been deemed safe, an “all clear” will be announced and the building can safely be reoccupied.
What you should know:
- Ignition sources such as sparks, arcs, flames and embers can ignite gasses.
- Gases can deplete the amount of oxygen in the air, causing respiratory issues.
- Do NOT light a cigarette or cigar in the area surrounding the building.
- Do NOT start any vehicles in the area surrounding the building.
- Do NOT use a telephone in the area surrounding the building.
Our area is prone to severe weather, including snow and ice storms, high winds, lightning, and tornadoes.
If you receive an alert that severe weather is approaching:
- Remain indoors or seek shelter immediately.
- Go to the lowest level of the building.
- Stay away from windows.
- If you are unable to seek shelter during a lightning storm or tornado, stay in low areas away from power lines and trees.
- Cover your head at all times.
- Follow official instructions from authorities and monitor news or weather updates for the latest information.
- Remain alert and respond as directed by emergency officials.
- When it is safe to do so, call University Police at (585) 395-2222 if assistance is needed.
If you discover a suspicious object:
- Do not panic.
- Do not touch or move the object.
- Alert others nearby and leave the area immediately.
- Close doors behind you and take steps to prevent others from entering the area.
- Do not use cell phones in the immediate area of the object.
- Once you are in a safe location, call University Police.
What you can do:
- Call Facilities Maintenance & Operations at (585) 395-2408 and report on the location and type of outage (e.g., power, heat, or water).
- Advise employees and/or students of the situation and steps being taken to rectify the issue.
What you can expect:
- Depending on the type and duration of the outage, university officials will provide instructions and updates through official communication channels such as Everbridge alerts, social media, or the university website.
- Depending on the extent and expected duration of the outage, the Emergency Management Team will determine follow-up plans and responses such as re-locations, consolidation of food services etc.
- During a failure of electricity, gas water or other critical utilities, there is no need for immediate evacuation. We ask that you please wait for further official instructions.
- Depending on the scope/nature of the utility failure, the University may not remain in operation.