Active Assailant Emergency Actions

These are your immediate response actions if there is an attack on campus.

“We don’t know what’s happening.“

  • “Active assailant attack reported on campus.  Lockdown your area.  Run-Hide-Fight if you are in danger.”
  • Do not expect to be told the location.  Police will send a follow-up alert but this may take time.

“We saw the alert, but there are no obvious signs of danger.“

  • LOCKDOWN:  Prevent an intruder from gaining access.
  • Get to a room you can lock from the inside.
  • DO NOT expose yourself to danger.  Secure interior access points to lockdown multiple adjoining rooms or office suites.
  • Give people the time needed to reach safety before locking the doors.
  • DO NOT open up for anyone or any reason, even for someone identifying themselves as “police,” until after you receive the ALL-CLEAR alert.

“There’s an attacker in our building…what do we do?“

  • RUN:  Find a safe escape path out of your building.
  • AVOID the attacker.  Watch and listen for signs of danger.
  • Command yourself to “MOVE!”  DO NOT FREEZE in the face of violence.
  • Escape using the nearest exit.  Use any exit, stairs, or ground floor windows to escape your building.
  • DO NOT pull the fire alarm.  This will cause confusion and may expose people to the attacker.
  • Obey orders from police officers.  Keep your hands up and do not have anything in your hands…not even a phone.
  • GET TO A SAFE LOCATION.  Then call UMBC Police at (410) 455-5555.  If you can’t get through the first time, stay safe and keep trying.

“We can’t escape…where do we go?“

  • HIDE:  Find a room you can lock from inside.
  • DENY the attacker access.  Put distance and obstacles between you and the attacker.
  • Find PROTECTION and CONCEALMENT.
    • Get out of open areas…hiding under a table or desk WILL NOT protect you.
    • Cover all the entrances.  Maintain an escape route if possible.
  • STAY HIDDEN.  An attacker is likely to pass by rooms that look empty.
    • TURN OFF LIGHTS.  Cover interior windows if you can.
    • SILENCE YOUR PHONES. Stay quiet, low, and away from interior windows.
    • HELP PEOPLE WHO PANIC to control their breathing. Keep them still and quiet.
    • BE READY TO RUN if you have a safe escape route.
  • DO NOT OPEN YOUR DOOR to anyone for any reason.
    • DENY entry until you see the ALL-CLEAR alert from UMBC police.

“We can’t lock the door…how do we protect ourselves?”

  • DENY entry.  Know if your door opens IN or OUT.
  • If your door OPENS IN to the room:
    • Barricade the doorway with furniture and heavy objects – use ANYTHING and EVERYTHING available.
    • Cover interior windows if you can.
  • If your door OPENS OUT to the hall:
    • Wrap a belt, cord, or anything available around the door handle
    • Pull against it being opened from the outside.
    • Use counterforce along the same wall as the door-handle side.
    • Tether the door handle to furniture or a heavy object if possible.
    • Combine the tether with a barricade to help deny entry.
    • Cover interior windows if you can.
  • BE READY TO DEFEND YOURSELF if the attacker gets in.

“We have to fight back!“

  • You have the right to FIGHT.
  • DEFEND yourself and turn your fear into ANGER.
  • FIGHT using anything available.
    • Work as a team.  Make your attack UNEXPECTED and VIOLENT.
    • INJURE and IMMOBILIZE the attacker.
  • BEWARE…the attacker may have MULTIPLE WEAPONS.
    • Take away the weapon and keep control of it.
    • DO NOT use the weapon or risk being seen as a threat by police.
  • DO NOT STOP FIGHTING until the attacker is totally controlled.