Run, Hide, Fight: Community encouraged to review active attacker action steps

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — As a new semester begins, University Police and Public Safety is reminding Penn State community members to familiarize themselves with the University’s official Active Attacker Response Program and to sign up to receive PSUAlert notifications via text message in the event of an emergency.

Based on the Run, Hide, FightTM model developed by the City of Houston, Penn State’s Active Attacker Response Program offers the same three action steps if confronted with an active assailant, making it easy to remember and act upon in an emergency: run if you can, hide if you can’t, and fight as a last resort.

“Run, Hide, Fight is a straightforward model that makes it easy to memorize and act upon should anyone find themselves in a life-threatening situation anywhere,” said Charlie Noffsinger, associate vice president for Penn State University Police and Public Safety. “In such an emergency, it is critical to act quickly and decisively, and that’s why we encourage our community to review the protocols and have an action plan in mind ahead of time.”

University Police and Public Safety regularly reminds the University community about the Penn State Active Attacker Response and its action steps — run, hide and fight — because emergency preparedness is critical and requires everyone’s attention.

“The beginning of a new semester also is a good time to remind the Penn State community to stay vigilant and say something if they see signs of suspicious activity,” said Noffsinger. “We all have a responsibility to help keep our communities safe.”

The Run, Hide, Fight concept is endorsed at the local, state and federal levels, including by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the FBI. University Police and Public Safety routinely offers Active Attacker Response Program training to campus groups, and such training can be requested on the University Police and Public Safety website.

University Police and Public Safety has robust policies and procedures in place for active-attacker situations, and Penn State police officers train regularly for such potential circumstances. However, it is vital that community members take the time to familiarize themselves with the University’s Active Attacker Response Program because it is designed to provide options that may help them to survive the first crucial moments of an attack before police arrive on the scene. Depending on individual circumstances, it is important to note that the run, hide and fight action steps may not always occur in this order, so memorizing them all as possible options, regardless of order, is urged.

Beyond the program’s namesake actions, University Police and Public Safety provides the following additional guidance to community members on what to do during each step in the process:

Run 

— Have an escape route and plan in mind.

— Make sure it is safe to leave the area. Use your eyes and ears to determine if it is safe to run.

— Leave your belongings behind.

— Keep your hands visible.

— Once in a safe place, call 911 and give detailed information about what is happening. Don’t assume someone else has already called the police.

Hide

— If unable to run from the danger, your second option should be to hide.

— Find a place that’s out of the attacker’s sight and remain quiet.

— Do not huddle together, as this creates an easier target.

— Lock and barricade doors with whatever is available, such as desks, chairs or door wedges. Shut off lights.

Fight

— Fighting is a last resort to be used only when your life is in imminent danger. (However, sometimes fighting may be the first and only option.)

— Find an object to use as a weapon, such as a fire extinguisher, backpack, book or chair.

— Attempt to incapacitate the attacker; commit to your actions; work with others to disable the assailant.

In the event of any report of an active shooter or attacker, a rapid response by law enforcement to the scene and communication to the community by email, text, telephone and social media using the University’s PSUAlert system would occur. Initial alert messages would be followed by critical information and regular updates.

All students and employees with a Penn State email address automatically receive PSUAlert emergency notifications by email. Students and employees are encouraged to visit psualert.psu.edu to sign up to receive PSUAlerts by text message and/or phone call as well. Users also can choose to receive alerts for multiple Penn State campuses. In the event of an emergency, PSUAlert will be used to provide the campus community with critical information.

Employees who may find it difficult to review such subject matter or take part in the trainings offered by University Police can seek support through the Employee Assistance Program. Students at University Park can find support through Counseling and Psychological Services. Students at other Penn State campuses can find support here.

Click here to report suspicious activity or a crime on any Penn State campus. In an emergency, always call 911.