UTEP Library Emergency Procedures

DEFINITION OF AN ACTIVE SHOOTER

An Active Shooter is an individual actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a confined populated area.

ACTIVE SHOOTER INSIDE BUILDING

Individuals should use their discretion during an active-shooter incident as to whether it might be safer to evacuate or remain in place and lockdown. 

1. Run/ Avoid - If you determine that it is safe to do so:

• Evacuate the building to a safe place.
• Call 911 and report what you observed or heard once in a safe place.
• Warn others from entering the building as you exit.

2. Hide/ Deny - If you determine that it is not safe to evacuate the building:

• Remain in your office or classroom.
• Proceed to a room that can be locked if in a hallway.
• Lock or barricade the doors.
• Call 911 to report your location and any information on the situation.
• Remain calm.
• Turn off all lights.
• Remain silent.
• Silence cell phones.
• Find a place to hide away from doors and windows.
• Do not respond to any voice commands until you are sure they are from a law inforcement official. (The shooter may try to lure victims out of a safe location.

3. Fight/ Defend - If confronted by an Active Shooter, and your life is in imminent danger then as a last resort:

• Develop a plan to take out the shooter. 
• Work as a team.
• Be committed.
• Incapacitate the shooter by:

• Throwing items at the shooter to distract.
• Rush the shooter.
• Take the shooter to the ground.
• Remove the weapon.
• Secure the shooter.

4. Under no circumstances should the fire alarm be activated.  People may be placed in harm’s way when they are attempting to evacuate the building.  Should the fire alarm sound, do not evacuate the building unless you can avoid the shooter and you determine it is safe to do so.

5. When Law Enforcement Arrives: 

• Follow their orders/instructions.
• Do not point.
• Do not scream or yell.
• Be quiet and compliant.
• Always show your hands (law enforcement does not know who is a threat).

ACTIVE SHOOTER ON CAMPUS

If it is determined that there is a need to secure a building or buildings to protect the campus community and to prevent the escalation of an emergency situation such as an active shooter, the Chief of University Police or his designee will give the order to lockdown specific areas or the entire campus.

When instructed by the University Police or the Miner Alert System to initiate a lockdown of the campus or specific buildings the following procedure is to be implemented:

1.  Building Safety Monitors are responsible for:

• Notifying building occupants.
• Securing all outside doors.
• Securing all accessible windows, e.g. on ground floor.
• Notifying University Police when building is secured.
• Posting a staff member at the entrance if safe to do so.
• Conducting a head count of occupants.
• Waiting for the All Clear.

2.  Building Occupants are responsible for:

• Following Instructions.
• Remaining calm.
• Remaining indoors inside your office or classroom.
• Securing all doors.
• Remaining silent.
• Silencing cell phones.
• Turning off all lights.
• Sitting below window level towards the middle of a room.

   3.  If outdoors when lockdown is declared: Seek nearby shelter such as a large tree or walls.

   4.  Wait for instructions informing you that it is All Clear before leaving the secured area.  The All Clear should be  through the Miner Alert System or from a known university official.

Watch the video Shots Fired .

(Revised 5/28/2024)