Response to an Active Aggressor

Purpose

To provide the employees of the Ohio Public Library Information Network (OPLIN) with clear, concise instructions on how to respond to an active aggressor or active threat within the agency.

A glossary of terms in this policy is located in Appendix A — Definitions.

Policy Statement

Ohio Public Library Information Network (OPLIN) recognizes that the safety of its employees, contractors, customers and other visitors in the agency is paramount. OPLIN will provide this policy to all current employees when it is published and when subsequent changes are made to it. New employees will receive this policy during new employee orientation. OPLIN employees will receive training as per State of Ohio Administrative Policy HR-42 Response to Active Aggressor.

Applicability

This applies to all OPLIN employees and contractors working in any OPLIN facilities.

Procedures

In the event of an active aggressor or active threat incident within any OPLIN facility, the primary mission of the agency is to take all necessary steps to immediately contain and stop any ongoing threat to human life. This mission will be accomplished through a specific response by the first law enforcement officer(s) to arrive on the scene but there are additional things that may need to occur before, during and/or after the law enforcement response.

  1. Upon discovery of an active aggressor or active threat situation, when safe to do so, anyone may notify law enforcement (9-1-1) and agency police or security personnel, if possible. Employees should consider finding and taking with them an object that may be used to defend themselves (i.e., an improvised weapon). Employees should ensure that any member of the public (non-employee) is permitted to accompany the employees(s) through employee-only areas to safety if necessary.

    When possible and appropriate, an OPLIN administrator or other persons-in-charge, will meet and guide responding law enforcement officers to the location of the aggressor. When practical, occupants of surrounding offices and buildings will also be notified as soon as possible.

    During an active aggressor or active threat situation, OPLIN employees must also consider the following actions:

    1. Run — if there is an acceptable path, attempt to evacuate the premises. Personnel should be instructed to:

      • Call 9-1-1 when safe to do so.
      • Have an escape route and plan in mind that takes them as far away from the attacker(s) as possible.
      • Evacuate regardless of whether others agree to follow or remain.
      • Leave belongings behind.
      • Help others escape if possible.
      • Alert individuals who are entering an area where the active aggressor may be.
      • Keep hands visible for responding officers.
      • Follow instructions of any law enforcement officer.
      • Do not attempt to move wounded people.

      As OPLIN is a very small office, proceed immediately to the area designated as a “safe zone” and contact 9-1-1. Provide the following information to the 9-1-1 operator:

      • Location and description of the offender. Provide as detailed information as possible (e.g., race, gender, hair color, build, tattoos, clothing, etc.) and the last known location of the aggressor.
      • Number of attackers and weapons (e.g., rifles, handguns, knives, explosives, etc,).
      • Location and condition of victim(s).

    2. Hide — Remain in place until contacted by law enforcement or circumstances dictate otherwise.

      • Your hiding place should be out of the active aggressor’s view. Provide protection if gun shots are fired in your direction (e.g., locating into a restroom or office and locking the door, staying as low as possible and remaining quiet and still) and not trapping or restricting yourself from movement.
      • Lock the door, if possible, and have a person, such as the Section Warden, designated to ensure the door is locked once everyone is in the safe zone.
      • Block the doorway with heavy furniture if available.
      • Silence your cell phone.
      • Turn off any source of noise (e.g., radio, music player, etc.).
      • Hide behind large items (e.g., cabinets, desks, doors, etc.).
      • Remain quiet.
      • Remain in place and stay hidden until you have determined that it is safe. If someone approaches the door and identifies themselves as a law enforcement officer, do not be tricked into talking back. Remain silent until you are able to confirm the authenticity of the claim.

    3. Fight — Take action against the aggressor. As a last resort, and only when your life is in imminent danger, attempt to do the following:

      • Disrupt and /or incapacitate the active aggressor by acting as aggressively as possible against him/her.
      • Use improvised weapons.
      • Scream/yell.
      • Commit to your actions and follow through.

    4. When evacuation and hiding are not possible, do the following:

      • Remain calm.
      • If possible, call 9-1-1 and alert law enforcement of the aggressor’s location.
      • If you are unable to speak, leave the line open and allow the dispatcher to listen.
      • Mute your phone to prevent alerting the aggressor.

  2. Law Enforcement Response: The goal of law enforcement is to locate, isolate and neutralize the aggressor as quickly as possible to prevent additional injuries or fatalities. In doing so, employees should anticipate that officers will arrive in force and will be armed with rifles, shotguns and handguns and could be wearing exterior body armor. Officers should be displaying some portion of the uniform or tactical gear identifying them as law enforcement officers.

    Initially, the site of a violent incident will be secured as a crime scene. The first wave of officers will not stop to assist persons in need. A later group of officers and/or other emergency personnel will provide treatment and assistance.

  3. Reaction to Law enforcement: when law enforcement is present, it is important to:

    1. Remain calm and follow instructions from officers.
    2. Put down any items in your hands and raise your arms high.
    3. Keep hands visible at tall times and avoid sudden movements toward officers.
    4. Avoid screaming, yelling or shouting.
    5. If asked questions by the officer, provide the information.
    6. Do not stop officers to ask questions; just follow their directions.
    7. Do not leave the scene until instructed to do so except as provided in section A. above.

  4. "All-Clear" Issued: The "all clear" announcement will be made when the situation has been contained and the scene is declared safe by law enforcement officials.

  5. Employer Response: The health and well-being of OPLIN employees, contractors and customers is the priority. As soon as possible after law enforcement has relinquished command and control of the scene, OPLIN senior management, in conjunction with the facility administrator, the agency’s human resources office and/or the Ohio Department of Administrative Services (DAS), will develop information strategies to address questions related to the event from employees and their families.

    1. Effective coordination with the media and timely dissemination of information can help reduce media pressure on those who are the most vulnerable. Only those OPLIN agency staff authorized to speak on behalf of the agency or facility shall interact with the media.
    2. When an incident occurs, it will be important to bring in trained crisis response professionals to provide any necessary physical, emotional and psychological support as soon as possible. Human Resources will coordinate the identification of the communication with Ohio Employee Assistance Program (OEAP) and other trained crisis response professionals and coordinate follow-up.

  6. Employees with questions about this policy should direct them to OPLIN’s Executive Director or Human Resources contact at The State Library of Ohio.

Appendix A — Definitions

  1. Active Aggressor - An individual who is actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a confined or populated area or attempting to cause harm to as many people as possible. In most cases, active aggressors use firearms and there is no pattern or method to their selection of victims. The intent of most active aggressors is to kill individuals as quickly as possible.
  2. Active Threat - An active threat is defined as any incident, which by its deliberate nature, creates an immediate threat or presents an imminent danger to human life. Active threats can take many forms and may or may not have the intent of killing targeted people as quickly as possible. Traditional law enforcement responses to active threats will include the concept of “surround and contain” in order to minimize the number of victims. In order to save lives, the law enforcement agency having jurisdiction will initiate an immediate response.
  3. Threat Types - Threat types include:

 

Adopted 11 August 2017