This short slide set helps supervisors train their employees in the Safe Rooms response to active shooters. They can use these during a staff meeting or a training class.

1. SAFE ROOMS:
The Run – Hide – Fight Response to Active Shooters
Dr. Steve Albrecht, PHR, CPP, BCC
San Diego, CA
619-990-2685
DrSteve@DrSteveAlbrecht.com

2. SAFE ROOMS ISSUES
Safe rooms offer the best chance (if evacuation is not
possible) to survive an active shooter situation until
law enforcement arrives.
If the shooter is or was an employee, he or she may
know the location of safe rooms and/or the
emergency protocols. This is why we don’t
“designate” safe rooms.
Go anywhere you can and barricade the door, taking
as many people with you as is safely possible.

3. SAFE ROOMS ISSUES
Your first choice of a safe room could be blocked,
so always have a next best choice.
Be aware that the shooter may engage in “targeted
violence,” selecting certain people to attack.
Only let others into your safe room when it’s safe to
do so or when the police response is over.

4. BEST AND WORST
SAFE ROOMS?
Lockable.
Windowless.
One entry/exit door.
Sturdy door frame.
Accessible light switch.
Off the main hallway.
Barricade objects inside.
Phone line installed.
Self-defense items.
Perfect world: first-aid
supplies, blankets, water.
No door.
Unlockable door.
Half door – half window.
Too many entry/exit points.
Windows with no blinds.
Nothing to hide behind.
Natural light.
On the main traffic path.
Nothing to use in defense.
Imperfect world: lights out,
get on the floor, be quiet

5. SUPERVISOR’S “SAFE ROOMS”
STAFF TRAINING KEYS
Meeting Purpose: To educate, remind, and empower
your staff on the safe rooms concept.
Discussion Points: Workplace violence incidents
involving homicides are rare and catastrophic,
impossible to predict, and may require an outside-
the-box HR, security, or law enforcement response.
Need to Know Issues: If we can’t evacuate safely,
where are the best safe rooms for this facility?
Facility Policy: Review your workplace violence
awareness, prevention, ad response protocols.

6. SUPERVISOR’S “SAFE ROOM”
STAFF TRAINING KEYS
Restrictions: Safe rooms are not the only solution to an
active shooter situation. Hide in a safe room when
evacuation or self-defense is not safe or possible.
Code Words and Notifications: Panic alarms; remind
staff of the agreed-upon code words; evacuation
procedures; assigned emergency coordinators.
Law Enforcement Responses: The police response to
an active shooter will be very aggressive. They will not
always know who is who or stop to provide first-aid or
help you evacuate.
Watch the DHS “Run – Hide – Fight” online video.

7. SUPERVISOR’S “SAFE ROOM”
STAFF TRAINING KEYS
Restrictions: Safe rooms are not the only solution to an
active shooter situation. Hide in a safe room when
evacuation or self-defense is not safe or possible.
Code Words and Notifications: Panic alarms; remind
staff of the agreed-upon code words; evacuation
procedures; assigned emergency coordinators.
Law Enforcement Responses: The police response to
an active shooter will be very aggressive. They will not
always know who is who or stop to provide first-aid or
help you evacuate.
Watch the DHS “Run – Hide – Fight” online video.