University Community Response Checklist

Preparedness Guide: Active Shooter

It is impossible to set forth the exact procedures that people should follow in every situation. It is important for persons to remain calm and exercise their best judgment in applying these guidelines to specific incidents. If it is possible to do so safely, exit the building immediately when you become aware of an incident, moving away from the immediate path of danger. If you are directly involved in an incident and exiting your location is not possible, the following actions are recommended:

Secure Immediate Area:

Lock and barricade doors
Turn off lights
Close blinds
Block windows
Turn off radios and computer monitors
Keep occupants calm, quiet, and out of sight
Take adequate cover/protection, i.e. concrete walls, thick desks, filing cabinets
(Cover may protect you from bullets)
Silence cell phones
Place signs/markers in exterior windows to identify the location of injured persons
Wait for police to assist you out of the building

Un-securing an Area:

Consider risks before un-securing rooms
Remember, the shooter will most likely not stop until they are engaged by an outside force
Attempts to rescue people should only be attempted if they can be accomplished without further endangering the persons inside a secured area
Consider the safety of the masses -vs- the safety of a few
If doubt exists for the safety of the individuals inside the room, the area should remain secured

Contacting Police:

Use emergency number 911
Non-emergency line:
Macomb Campus 309-298-1949
Moline Campus 309-797-0401

Be aware that the 911 system will likely be overwhelmed. The phone may have to ring numerous times before authorities are able to answer.

What to Report:

Your specific location - building name, office/room number
Injuries - number injured, types of injuries
Assailants(s) - location, number of suspects, descriptions of assailants, types of weapons, names of assailants

Police Response:

Objective is to immediately engage assailants
Evacuate victims
Facilitate follow-up medical care, interviews
Investigate