MU Chancellor asks students, staff to review active shooter tips amid Parkland shooting

In a letter to students, faculty and staff, MU Chancellor Cartwright asked that everyone review active shooter resources.

“This most recent incident reminds all of us to be vigilant and prepared for the unthinkable. We have an outstanding team of public safety professionals who work hard every day to ensure the safety of our students, faculty and staff, but we can all use a refresher about the fundamental steps each one of us can take to be intentional about our safety,” said Chancellor Cartwright.

The students, faculty and staff were asked to review an active shooter response tip sheet, a City of Houston and U.S. Department of Homeland Security Active Shooter Training video, MU’s Surviving an Active Shooter video and the following points:

1. The actions that you must take during an active shooter situation are not the same for everyone. It will depend upon your situation and location relative to the threat. We encourage faculty and staff to regularly review safety and security procedures with students in the classroom and coworkers in office spaces.

2. When an alert is received and you are on campus, or if you have not received an alert but hear the sound of gunfire, you must stop what you’re doing and determine which of the following actions is best for your situation:

* Run–Getting away from the shooter or shooters is the top priority. Leave your things behind and run away. If safe to do so, warn others nearby. When you are in a safe place, call 911 to report what you have seen. Be ready to describe the shooter or shooters, their locations, and weapons.

* Hide–If you can’t get away safely, find a place to hide. Get out of the shooter’s view and stay very quiet. Silence your electronic devices and make sure they won’t vibrate. Lock and block doors, close blinds and turn off the lights. Don’t hide in groups–spread out along walls or hide separately to make it more difficult for the shooter. Stay in place until law enforcement officials give you additional instructions.

* Fight–Your last resort when you are in immediate danger is to defend yourself. Act decisively and aggressively to stop the shooter. Distract and disarm the shooter if you can by using makeshift weapons such as chairs, fire extinguishers, scissors and books.

1. When an active shooter alert is received and you are off campus, do not come to campus.

2. After an active shooter alert is sent, the campus safety officials will provide frequent updates of the evolving situation. An ‘All Clear’ alert will be sent when the situation is resolved.

3. Active shooter training is available through your campus police department.
Contact:
University of Missouri Police Department
Sergeant Jennifer Perry
Phone: 573-882-5925, Email: Perryja@missouri.edu