Do you know what to do in case of an active deadly threat?
Vancouver police have released an educational video detailing what you should do when an individual is killing, or attempting to kill, people in a confined or populated area.
“Active deadly threats are rare in Canada, but they do happen,” says Chief Constable Adam Palmer. “The threat could be a gun, a knife, or a vehicle. It takes time for first responders to arrive, and your safety may be in your hands.”
The video was funded by the Vancouver Police Foundation, and was produced with input from E-Comm, the BC Emergency Health Services, and Vancouver Fire and Rescue.
Here’s what to do in case you find yourself in an active deadly threat situation:
Run or escape
If you’re in danger, the first thing to do is stop what you’re doing and run to a safe location.
Be sure to leave any belongings behind, and help others to escape if you can (but don’t let indecision slow you down).
Once you’re safe, call 911, and prevent others from entering the area.
Hide and prepare
If you can’t escape to safe area, you’re going to have to hide.
Stay out of sight and be silent. Lock the door, and barricade it if you can.
Turn off the lights, and silence your phone (or even better, just turn it off).
Fight or defend yourself
In the rare case where you can’t hide or escape, don’t panic; you have every right to defend yourself, so fight for your life.
Use improvised weapons like scissors, furniture, fire extinguishers, and keys. Get aggressive!
Remember, this is a last resort. Always try to find safety or hide before resorting to fighting back.
Calling 911
When you call the police, the operator will need the following:
- your exact location
- number of assailants and their description
- types of weapons seen or heard
- any information on injuries
When the police arrive, stay calm and follow their instructions. Their first priority is locating and stopping the threat and preventing further harm to innocent people, so they may need to bypass injured people until it is safe to begin rescue and medical aid.
Put down anything you might have in your hands, such as phones or purses. Keep your hands visible, slowly raise them, and spread your fingers.
Do not yell, run, or point at officers. Answer their questions calmly and concisely.
“Our officers train and are prepared—your preparation could be key to surviving an incident like this,” says Chief Palmer. “Escape if you can, hide if you can’t, fight if you must.”
