Dealing with an Armed Intruder in a School: Precautionary Measures and Strategies

Everyone hopes and prays that they will never face a situation where their child's school is on lockdown due to an armed individual. However, when such a threat materializes, knowledge and preparedness can mean the difference between life and death.

Procedures to Follow

The first and foremost rule is to follow whatever the school authorities instruct. In recent cases, parents have been asked to keep a distance from the school premises while the situation is being handled. This ensures the safety of both the parents and the staff.

Contacting Authorities

Apart from complying with school instructions, it's crucial to immediately call the police and inform them about the situation. The faster the authorities are informed, the sooner the potential danger can be neutralized.

Choosing a Safe Hiding Spot

In the event of an armed intruder, choosing a safe hiding spot is vital. For instance, a school's attic, elevated and with limited access, can be used as a hiding spot. However, one needs to exercise caution when accessing such a location.

For example, my school's attic is a labyrinth of beams, with minimal light and a challenging entrance. Climbing this could be a daunting task. It's wise to carry a weapon for self-defense while navigating the attic. Additionally, one must be prepared to incapacitate the intruder if necessary. Dropping heavy objects or hitting the intruder with a solid item could be effective means of self-defense.

Theater Safe Havens

Large public spaces, such as theaters, offer excellent hiding spots. They typically have various vantage points, and hiding in areas like catwalks or lighting booths could provide safety. These areas are less likely to be searched by the intruder, thus increasing the likelihood of survival.

Hiding in a group could make you a more prominent target, so it's advisable to seek a solitary hiding spot. This aligns with the understanding that the objective of an active shooter is to create the largest impact possible, and a single target is less significant in the grand scheme of things.

Active Shooter Training

Having undergone extensive active shooter training, both as a student and as staff, I can attest to the importance of following specific plans in the event of an armed intruder. These include:

Lockdown: Locking and barricading doors, turning off the lights, moving away from windows, and silencing electronic devices. This process should take no more than 20-30 seconds if everyone cooperates. Contacting Authorities: Reporting the exact details of what was seen or heard and requesting information on the approaching response team. Forming a Plan: Gently communicating with fellow students or staff to ensure a more spread-out group to avoid being a group target. Ambushing the intruder from various angles and using items at hand as weapons if necessary. Discussing Evacuation: Identifying a viable exit, understanding the police's behavior upon arrival, and finding a safe meeting place.

Due to the overwhelming number of active shooter drills, I've gone through this process seven times as a student and twice as staff. These experiences have provided me with a profound understanding of the importance of staying calm and following a well-thought-out plan.

Case Study: A Not-So-Drill Situation

One fateful day, I was in college when the school went into lockdown for over six hours. Despite the tense situation, no fatalities occurred, and the suspects were never found. This event barely made the local news the following day, highlighting the importance of having a calm and prepared mindset during such crises.

While the world may seem more dangerous every day, it's crucial to remember that the vast majority of active shooter situations can be handled effectively with proper planning and preparation. Knowing what to do in the face of an armed intruder can significantly increase survival rates.