Active aggressor events occur on university campuses across the U.S. While we understand the possibility of an active aggressor event is scary and traumatic, it is imperative that our campus community have the tools and resources to make an action plan should an active aggressor event occur at UAA.

The University of Alaska Anchorage Police Department (UPD) defines an active aggressor as any individual(s) using a weapon such as a gun, knife or object intending or causing harm to members of the campus community.

At UAA and our community campuses, we use the Run. Hide. Fight. model for an active aggressor event. Please review this Surviving an Active Aggressor video from The Ohio State University.

Once UPD and local law enforcement is notified, they will arrive quickly. It is critical you follow their instructions and keep your hands visible with fingers spread at all times. UPD and partner agencies, such as the Anchorage Police Department, Alaska State Troopers and FBI, regularly train and practice how to respond to this type of emergency. Additionally, we participate in the Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT) program, which provides comprehensive active aggressor response training to ensure coordinated and effective action during such incidents.

Training

UPD offers a training course, Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events (CRASE) on how to respond to an active aggressor and is available by contacting University Police Administration at uaa_updadmin@alaska.edu or calling 907-786-1120 and asking for the training program.

Faculty members are encouraged at the beginning of the semester to briefly discuss how to safely evacuate their classroom spaces with students. Additionally, we recommend university staff discuss safety protocols and evacuation procedures with co-workers to be ready if an emergency occurs. 

Most reviews of critical incidents showed, although not always, that the aggressor somehow shared information with others prior to the attack. If anyone makes a concerning statement(s) to you or that you overhear, report it immediately to one of the official immediate reporting structures of the university, UPD, Residence Life or Dean of Students. 

Run: If you hear gunshots on campus, determine the direction of the noise and get as far away, as quickly as possible.

• Have an escape route in mind
• Leave any belongings behind
• Tell others to come with you, but do not wait. Your safety is your number one priority.
• Keep your hands visible for law enforcement
• Alert 911 once you arrive at a safe location. Provide specific details when alerting authorities.

Hide: If you cannot exit safely. Hide.

• If in a classroom, lecture hall or office:
  • If you are with other people, do not huddle
  • Hide away from the doors and windows
  • If time allows, lock and barricade the door with whatever is available. Turn off the lights.
• Silence your cell phone, including vibration mode. If time allows and is safe, turn off any additional technology. 

Fight: If you cannot run or hide, fight.

• If you have no other options, be prepared to fight to incapacitate the attacker.
• Do not hesitate to cause harm to the aggressor and use any tool or resource available to you such as laptops, textbooks, pens or your own body. Anything can be used as a deterrent to the attacker.
• It is important to note that this is a last resort response tactic

Information to provide a 9-1-1 operator

• Identify that you are on UAA’s Anchorage campus or on a community campus
• Provide location of the active aggressor
• Provide number of shooters (if more than one)
• Number and type of weapon(s) held by shooter(s) (handgun, shotgun, automatic rifle, knife, etc…)
• Physical description of shooter(s)
• Number of potential victims

How to react when law enforcement arrives

• Follow law enforcement’s instructions.
• Immediately raise hands and spread fingers
• Keep hands visible at all times
• Avoid sudden movements
• Do not hold onto or touch law enforcement
• Avoid screaming, yelling or pointing
• When evacuating buildings with law enforcement entering/present, do not stop to ask for directions. Proceed in the direction from which law enforcement is entering