Violent Intruder Procedures

In the event of a violent intruder on campus, cease all activity and follow campus Lockdown Procedures immediately. You should receive a TigerAlert placing the College on Lockdown.
 

Remember the following

  1. Not all violent intruders use firearms. Some may use knives, explosives, etc.
  2. Gunfire may sound artificial. Assume that any popping sound is gunfire.
  3. If you have not yet received a TigerAlert, call 911 immediately. DO NOT assume that someone else has reported the emergency. The information that you can provide law enforcement officers may be critical. (i.e. number of shooters, physical description, number and type(s) of weapons, and location of the shooter).
  4. DO NOT leave the lockdown until advised to do so. The first group of law enforcement officers will not stop to assist you as they go through the building. Their priority is to move toward the sound of gunfire to neutralize the shooter.
  5. DO NOT expect to hear an audible alarm and DO NOT activate the fire alarm system. There have been cases where active shooters have activated fire alarms to lure victims outside.
  6. The Chattanooga State Campus Police have critical and very specific duties to perform during a lockdown and may not be available to assist in announcing the lockdown or providing directions.
  7. Determine your course of action immediately. In the initial moments, decide what is occurring and which option listed below will provide the greatest degree of safety.
     

Avoid / Deny / Defend

Avoid

If there is considerable distance between you and the gunfire, avoid the area, quickly move away from the sound of the gunfire and find a secure place to hide or at least a place that will protect you from gunfire. Follow any instructions provided by the TigerAlert notification system.

Deny

If the shooter is near your location, deny the shooter access to you by locking and barricading the door if possible. Silence your cell phone (including vibration mode) and maintain complete silence. If there are two or more persons in the same place when an active shooting situation has occurred, you should spread out in the room to not be seen. Avoid sitting behind doors or in the line of sight of any windows.

Defend

If discovered or confronted by an active shooter, you will have to defend your position. An attempt to overpower the shooter may be your only option. Improvise weapons and attempt to incapacitate the shooter. Whatever you do, never attempt to purposefully seek out an active shooter to confront them.