All-Hazards Preparedness Guide

Being prepared to mitigate against, respond to, and recover rapidly from any threat or hazard can save lives and protect the health and safety of yourself, family, and community. Though some people feel it is impossible to be prepared for unexpected events, the truth is that taking preparedness actions helps people deal with hazards of all types much more effectively when they do occur. By reading this guide, you have taken the first step in securing your preparedness. You will learn that emergency preparedness requires attention not just to specific types of hazards but also to steps that increase preparedness for any type of hazard.  The following guide and its contents have been compiled from various sources including, but not limited to:

  1. Active Assailant / Active Shooter
  2. Chemical and Hazardous Materials Incidents
  3. Cybersecurity
  4. Evacuation
  5. Extreme Heat
  6. Floods
  7. Older Adults
  8. Pandemics
  9. People with Disabilities
  10. Pets and Animals
  11. Shelter-In-Place
  12. Thunderstorms
  13. Tropical Storms and Hurricanes
  14. Tornadoes
  15. Wildfires
  16. Winter Weather

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) defines an active assailant or active shooter as "an individual engaged in attempting to kill people in a confined space or populated area."  Typically, these individuals use firearms and select victims at random.  However, recent events worldwide have shown active assailants may also use vehicles, homemade improvised explosive devices (IEDs), knives, fires, and drones.  Active assailant incidents can occur anywhere and at any time.  Taking time to familiarize yourself with response strategies now can help you react quickly when every second counts.What to do if you are involved in an active shooter situation.

Prepare Before

  • If you see suspicious activity or packages, report it to local authorities as soon as possible.  "If you see something, say something!"
  • Familiarize yourself with emergency response plans at your school, workplace, or house of worship.  If you participate in active shooter training or drills at any of these locations, share your experience with family and friends.  Discuss how what you learned can be applied to other locations.
  • Map out two evacuation routes and nearby exits whenever you enter a building or populated area.
  • Identify places to hide including rooms without windows, behind door that lock, under desks, or behind heavy furniture.
  • Sign up for active assailant, first aid, and tourniquet training.

Survive During

When an active assailant is in your vicinity, you must be prepared both mentally and physically to deal with the situation.  You have three options:

  1. RUN
  • Have an escape route and plan in mind.
  • Leave your belonging behind.
  • Evacuate regardless of whether others agree to follow.
  • Help others escape, if possible.
  • Do not attempt to move the wounded.
  • Prevent others from entering the area where the active assailant might be.
  • Keep your hands visible at all times.
  • Call 9-1-1 when you are safe.
    • Provide the dispatcher with the following information:
      • Location of the active shooter.
      • Number of shooters.
      • Physical description of the shooter(s).
      • Number and type of weapons the assailant has.
      • Number of potential victims at the location.
  1. HIDE
  • Hide in an area out of the shooter's view.
    • Cover vs. Concealment
      • Cover: Anything that physically protects you from harm, especially bullets and/or other projectiles.  This type of hiding is preferable as it offers protection.
      • Concealment: Hides you from view but may not offer protection from projectiles.  This type of hiding keeps you out of sight during an active assailant situation.
  • Lock the door and/or barricade the entry to your hiding place.
  • Turn off the lights.
  • Silence your cell phone (including vibrate mode) and remain quiet.
  1. FIGHT
  • As a last resort and only when your life is in imminent danger, fight.
  • Attempt to disrupt and/or incapacitate the attacker.
  • Act with as much physical aggression as possible.
  • Use available objects as improvised weapons or throw items at the assailant.
  • If possible, use teamwork and surprise.  A coordinated ambush can incapacitate an attacker.
  • Commit to your actions; your life depends on it.

When Law Enforcement Arrives:

The first officers to arrive on scene will not stop to help the injured.  Their priority is to neutralize the threat i.e. capture, contain, or kill the active assailant.  Expect rescue teams to follow initial officers.  These rescue teams will remove and treat the injured.  You can assist law enforcement and first responders by doing the following:

  • Remain calm and follow instructions.
  • Drop any items in your hands.  Keep your hands empty, raised, and clearly visible at all times.
  • Avoid quick movements towards officers, such as holding on to them for safety.
  • Avoid pointing, screaming, and/or yelling.
  • Do not stop to ask questions when evacuating.

Once you have reached a safe location, law enforcement will likely hold everyone in the area until the situation is under control.  Investigators will identify and question all witnesses.  Do not leave the area until law enforcement authorities have instructed you to do so.

Be Safe After

  • Consider seeking professional help for you and your family to cope with the short- and long-term effects of the trauma.