Earlier this week campus was on lock down when an active shooter was reported to be on campus. I received this message as I was coming up the hill on the bus to campus. I was scared about where I was going to go. 

The bus driver was confused by our reports that we were receiving on our cell phones. It was like he didn't believe us. It took me a minute or so to process too. But then it hits you like a ton of bricks. There is an active shooter on campus and we are driving straight into it!! 

The instructions from the message were clear. Go inside, lock your doors, wait until you hear the sirens again. I exited the bus and walked briskly into the building. Once I was safe, I texted my husband. He called immediately. We chatted briefly and I told him I would call again when we received the "all clear."

You could cut the tension in the room with a knife. We sat and waited for the sound of the all clear sirens. It seemed like it took an eternity, but finally it came.

Relief.

I then had to walk about half a mile to my building. The walk was long and the air felt eerie. I called my husband to let him know that I was okay. It was a strange feeling to be walking to work and not see a soul walking down the street. Although I knew I was safe, I couldn't get to my building fast enough. 

There were many things that went right during this incredibly heart pounding situation. First, everyone on the Alert Carolina system received emails and text messages about the imminent danger. Then, campus police were everywhere directing people to seek shelter in a building. The streets emptied quickly and we trusted that we would remain safe until the alert was lifted. 

There were people in the building with walkie-talkies also relaying information as it was received. When the sirens sounded these personnel reassured us that it was all clear to resume normal activities. 

While it appears to have been nothing, I was so relieved that UNC and local police took the threat seriously and responded with caution. 

During this time, I recalled a lecture that I had heard from a U.S. Marshall's trainer a few years back. He spoke about how to prepare for situations like this. Here is his advice about handling an active shooter.

Survival Mindset

Having a survival mindset is like having a protective shield. 

• Awareness - Know what is going on around you and think about whether or not you know what gunshots sound like, lots of people don't. 
• Preparation - Begin to prepare for the "what-if" scenarios. This allows you to develop a response to the various scenarios that you create. 
• Rehearsal - Practice these scenarios. being prepared allows you to get ready both emotionally and physically for a threat. 

Courses of Action

So what if this were to happen to you? Do you know what you would do? Just like "stop, drop, and roll" as the response if you were in a fire, there are some steps to remember that you can execute in situations like these too. 

1. Get Out - Simple, leave your things and get away from the situation.
2. Call Out - Call 9-1-1
3. Hide Out - Find a place that is well hidden and protected
4. Keep Out - Try and keep the shooter out. Blockade the doors, turn out the lights, silence all phones.
5. Spread Out - Being huddled together makes for an easy target for a shooter.
6. Take Out - Assume the shooter's intentions are to kill and if faced with the shooter take him/her out if required. The survival mindset is key here, but should only be used as a last resort. 

Even easier to remember are these three steps.

1. Run
2. Hide
3. Fight

We all hope that we never have to be faced with this scenario, but in the event that we are, we need to be prepared.