Sam Dunaway | News Editor

Safety is a number one priority in most public institutions and unfortunately, active shooters are a reality in United States schools. The lockdown response to turn off lights, cover and hide is what many students grow up learning. But this passive response to an active shooter is only one way to respond to the situation. ALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate) is a program that provides individuals with the tools they need to respond to an active shooter.

Campus Public Safety provides free ALICE training to students and community members at least twice a year. If students are unable to take part in this training program, read on for more information about taking action in a critical situation.

Alert

This is the way that the individual learns about the incident. “Alert” can refer to hearing yelling or gunshots, getting a text from a friend or a WOUAlert warning. Additionally, “Alert” refers to how individuals alert others, either by dialing 911, posting on social media or running and yelling. Clear communication is essential when alerting others about an incident and can lead to fast and effective law enforcement response.

Lockdown

One option to respond to an alert is to lock down and secure in place. This includes locking the doors, turning off the lights and barricading the doors. These small barriers increase the time it takes for a dangerous person to enter the room and allows time for law enforcement to enter the building. This is also a time to make a plan of action with others, whether that be to plan a counter attack, evacuate out of the window or find a place to hide. Simply closing the door and locking it can greatly increase an individual’s possibility of survival.

Inform

It is important to communicate the situation to as many people as possible. “Inform” is an extension of “Alert”, but it is ongoing throughout the incident. Examples of this include notifying friends to stay out of the area, calling Campus Public Safety and describing the intruder’s location and direction and posting on social media. Be clear, direct and give as much information as possible.

Counter

Choosing to counter should be a last resort. Countering involves making noises, movements, distractions or making physical contact with the active shooter. Groups can use this tactic to increase its effectiveness. In many cases, the active shooter is expecting individuals in the building to lock down and cover, not fight back. If a person or a group is in a position of power where they can counter, it should remain a viable option.

Evacuate

If evacuation is an option, leave the dangerous area as quickly as possible. Through lockdown training, many students are taught to hide and wait in the event of an intruder. But this option may only increase the likelihood of encountering the intruder. If an evacuation route is possible, use it.

Contact Campus Public Safety at (503) 838-8481 for more information on ALICE Training.

Contact the author at journalnews@wou.edu

Photo by: Paul F. Davis