When Danger Strikes

How Faculty and Students Should Respond During an Active Shooter Incident

By John Fisher (assisted by AI)

Active shooter situations unfold quickly and without warning. In the chaos of those first moments, knowing how to respond can save lives. Both faculty and students play critical roles in protecting themselves and others, and research from past school and campus incidents provides clear guidance on what works. Drawing from decades of experience, experts like Ms. Susan Payne and Dr. Sarah Goodrum emphasize the need for preparedness, calm decision-making, and consistent response strategies.

Below is a straightforward, practical guide for what to do if an active shooter event occurs on a college campus.

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What You Should Do Immediately

1. RUN — If You Can Escape, Do It First

If it is safe to evacuate the area, run immediately.

• Leave belongings behind

• Help others escape if possible

• Prevent others from entering the danger zone

• Keep your hands visible for responding officers

• Call 911 when you reach safety

Ms. Payne emphasized:

“Modern response training teaches us to move toward safety immediately. Seconds matter.”

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2. HIDE — If Escape Isn’t Possible, Hide Effectively

If you cannot run, your next step is to hide.

Choose a hiding place that:

• has a door you can lock or barricade

• is out of the shooter’s line of sight

• provides solid coverage, not just concealment

• allows you to remain quiet and undetected

Turn off lights, silence phones, stay low, and remain completely still.

Dr. Goodrum explained:

“Hiding works when people choose a secure space, stay silent, and deny the attacker access.”

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Sheltering in Place: When and What It Means

Sheltering in place means staying where you are and making that space as secure as possible. It is used when leaving the area would put you in greater danger.

When to Shelter in Place

Shelter in place when:

• the shooter is nearby and evacuation is unsafe

• you cannot reach an exit without crossing the attacker’s path

• you receive a lockdown notification

• law enforcement instructs you to stay put

• the building layout makes escape unclear

Dr. Goodrum emphasized:

“A safety plan can break down when we don’t execute the basics. Sheltering in place works when people stay quiet, hidden, and secure behind locked or barricaded doors.”

What Sheltering in Place Involves

To shelter in place effectively:

• Lock the door immediately

• Barricade using desks, tables, cabinets, or other solid objects

• Turn off lights

• Silence phones and devices

• Stay out of sight—preferably behind solid cover

• Remain absolutely quiet

• Move to a corner not visible from windows

• Do not open the door for anyone except clearly identified law enforcement

As Ms. Payne noted:

“Sheltering in place saves lives. It’s one of the most effective strategies when escape isn’t possible and the threat is still active.”

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3. FIGHT — As a Last Resort

If you cannot run or hide, and your life is in immediate danger, be prepared to defend yourself.

Use whatever is available:

• chairs

• fire extinguishers

• laptops

• heavy backpacks

• scissors or tools

Act aggressively and commit fully. Work as a group if possible.

Ms. Payne explained:

“It is rare to reach the ‘fight’ moment, but if you do, act decisively. Hesitation can cost lives.”

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What Faculty Should Do Specifically

1. Calm and Direct Your Students

Your voice and demeanor guide the room.

• Speak clearly

• Give firm, simple instructions

• Keep students as calm as possible

2. Lock Down the Classroom

If evacuation isn’t safe:

• lock the doors immediately

• barricade using desks, tables, or cabinets

• turn off lights

• move everyone out of sight

• silence all devices

3. Account for Students After You Reach Safety

Once the threat is neutralized:

• assist police

• communicate with administrators

• report missing or injured students

• support reunification efforts

4. Know Campus Protocols

Make sure you’re familiar with:

• emergency procedures

• evacuation routes

• shelter-in-place guidelines

• reporting tools like SafeUT

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What Students Should Do Specifically

1. Know Your Options Beforehand

Review each classroom you enter:

• Where are the exits?

• What can serve as a barricade?

• Where can you hide?

• What could be used as a defensive tool?

2. Follow Instructions

In emergencies, unified action saves lives. Follow faculty and police directions quickly.

3. Help Others if Possible

Assist classmates who panic or freeze—but only if it is safe.

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How Law Enforcement Responds

Modern law enforcement no longer waits outside.

As Ms. Payne explained:

“Columbine changed everything. Officers now go directly to the threat to stop the violence as fast as possible.”

Follow all commands, keep your hands visible, and do not run toward officers.

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Conclusion

Active shooter incidents are unpredictable and frightening, but preparation saves lives. By understanding the “Run, Hide, Fight” model, knowing when to shelter in place, and responding quickly and calmly, faculty and students can greatly increase their chances of staying safe. No plan eliminates all risk—but awareness, training, and decisive action remain our strongest tools.

Lessons From Tragedy

How K–12 and College Shootings Have Shaped School Safety Since 1999

By John Fisher (assisted by AI)

The history of school and campus shootings in the United States has reshaped how we think about safety, prevention, and intervention. From Columbine in 1999 to Virginia Tech, Arapahoe, and Parkland, each tragedy revealed missed warning signs—along with opportunities to prevent future attacks. Two leading experts in the field, Ms. Susan Payne and Dr. Sarah Goodrum, have spent decades studying these incidents and helping schools implement effective safety strategies. Their insights offer a clear picture of how school violence has evolved and what we’ve learned along the way.

From Columbine to Today

Columbine in 1999 marked a turning point. As Ms. Payne explained:

“Columbine was the first major mass-media school shooting. It changed how law enforcement responds and how communities protect students.”

At the time, police were trained to set up a perimeter and wait for specialized units. Columbine revealed serious flaws in that approach. It also exposed the dangers of unshared information—both the school and law enforcement had concerning reports about the attackers, but the pieces were never connected.

The tragedy prompted Colorado to create Safe2Tell, a confidential reporting tool that empowered students to speak up early about threats, bullying, or harmful behavior. Utah later adapted this model into SafeUT.

Virginia Tech

The 2007 Virginia Tech shooting remains one of the deadliest attacks on a college campus. Dr. Goodrum noted:

“Even with strong policies in place, tragedies can show us gaps in implementation—especially in how we respond to students of concern after an assessment.”

Families and survivors helped shape nationwide reforms that strengthened the role of campus threat assessment teams and improved communication between departments.

Arapahoe, Parkland, and Missed Opportunities

The 2013 Arapahoe High School shooting demonstrated that training alone isn’t enough. Follow-up and long-term monitoring matter just as much as initial assessment.

Parkland revealed over 100 missed opportunities to intervene. The attacker had dozens of police contacts and disciplinary referrals—clear warning signs that were never effectively connected.

These patterns highlight the need for consistent, coordinated approaches to identifying and managing individuals on the pathway to violence.

Conclusion

The history of school and campus shootings is painful, but it has taught us how to intervene earlier and more effectively. Each case—Columbine, Virginia Tech, Arapahoe, Parkland—reveals the same message: information must be shared, warning signs must be recognized, and intervention must be consistent. Understanding this history is essential to building safer schools and campuses today.

After the Unthinkable

 

Essential Steps for Safety and Response After a Campus Tragedy

By John Fisher (assisted by AI)

When a tragedy occurs on a college campus, such as the recent shooting at UVU involving Charlie Kirk, the community faces tremendous shock and disruption. While every situation is different, decades of research and after-action reviews show there are consistent steps institutions can take to protect students, restore stability, and prevent further harm. Drawing from national cases—including Columbine, Virginia Tech, and Arapahoe—experts offer a clear framework for post-incident safety and recovery.

1. Immediate Threat Response

Modern law enforcement is trained to move toward the threat, not wait outside. Ms. Susan Payne emphasized:

“Columbine completely changed how we train officers. Today the expectation is to go directly to the threat to stop the violence as quickly as possible.”

This shift has saved lives in subsequent incidents.

2. Clear Communication Across Campus

After a tragedy, students and staff need rapid, accurate information. Institutions should:

• issue timely alerts

• provide clear instructions

• identify safe areas, lockdown procedures, or evacuation routes

• avoid speculation

• update regularly

Confusion can increase fear and create secondary safety risks.

3. Threat Assessment and Prevention Review

Dr. Sarah Goodrum explained:

“A safety system can fail not in the assessment, but in the follow-up. After a tragedy, institutions must review what was known, how it was shared, and what interventions were offered.”

Post-incident reviews help identify breakdowns in:

• communication

• policy implementation

• follow-through with students of concern

• mental health referral processes

4. Support for Students, Staff, and Families

Trauma responses vary widely. Institutions must provide:

• counseling services

• spaces for reflection

• academic flexibility

• community gatherings

• long-term mental health support

This phase cannot be rushed; healing takes time.

5. Independent Review and Accountability

Following the Arapahoe tragedy, Colorado passed the Claire Davis School Safety Act, requiring third-party independent reviews and eliminating governmental immunity for failures related to serious acts of violence.

This model encourages transparency and institutional learning.

Conclusion

A campus tragedy affects every part of the community, but history shows that strong communication, immediate protective actions, comprehensive threat assessment, and long-term support make recovery possible. By learning from past incidents and applying proven steps, colleges can respond effectively and strengthen safety for the future.

Speak Up Early

How to Report Concerns and Seek Help Before Violence Occurs

By John Fisher (assisted by AI)

One of the most important lessons from past school and campus tragedies is that warning signs almost always appear before violence occurs. Students, faculty, staff, and community members play a vital role in recognizing those signs and speaking up. Programs like SafeUT exist for exactly this purpose: to make it easy, confidential, and effective to report concerns and connect people with help.

Why Reporting Matters

After reviewing cases from Columbine to Parkland, Ms. Susan Payne stated:

“We created Safe2Tell so young people and community members could be part of the solution—so they would know what to look for, what to report, and that someone would follow up.”

Dr. Goodrum added that reporting is critical not just for identifying threats, but also for connecting struggling students with support:

“It’s not enough to assess a concern. We must provide resources, check in, and guide the student toward stability and help.”

What to Report

People often worry about "overreacting." But research shows early reporting can prevent tragedies. Report when you see:

• threats or discussion of violence

• drastic changes in behavior

• stalking or harassment

• suicidal statements

• weapons or talk of weapons

• online postings expressing anger, hate, or harm

• bullying or ongoing conflicts

• signs of depression, isolation, or fear

• concerning behavior toward peers or staff

If something feels wrong, it’s safer to report.

Where to Report

In Utah, the primary tool is SafeUT, available as an app, website, or phone line. It allows students and community members to:

• report safety concerns

• submit anonymous tips

• talk or text with mental health counselors

• access crisis support

• support peers who are struggling

On college campuses, students can also reach out to:

• campus police

• student affairs offices

• behavioral intervention teams (BIT)

• faculty or advisors

• Title IX coordinators

• counseling and psychological services

How Reporting Helps

Reports trigger:

• early intervention

• coordinated safety planning

• mental health support

• communication between departments

• monitoring and follow-up

• prevention of escalation

Most cases never become violent because someone speaks up early and the right team responds.

Conclusion

We all have a part to play in keeping our schools and campuses safe. Reporting is not about getting someone in trouble—it’s about getting them help. Programs like SafeUT save lives by making it easy to share concerns, seek support, and intervene before behavior escalates. When in doubt, speak up.