HIDE

If you are directly involved and cannot get out of the building, the following actions are recommended: 

• Evaluate your options: run, hide and barricade yourself, fight (as a last resort); 

• If you are in the corridor, take refuge in the nearest room; 

• Close and lock doors if possible; 

• Cover door windows and other windows by drawing curtains or blinds, and barricade the door with furniture to prevent it being opened from the outside;  

• Turn off lights, computer screens, audio and video equipment that might reveal your presence (put your cell phones on silent mode); 

• Call 911 as soon as possible if you can;  

• Stay away from doors and windows. It’s best to lie on the floor or sit along the walls (or behind a piece of furniture); 

• Stay calm and avoid talking or making noise; 

• Don’t answer the door; 

• If the armed assailant enters the room where you are and you cannot run away or hide, you can try to adopt a behaviour of disengagement; 

• If the attacker takes you hostage, don’t look him in the eye and obey him; 

• Stay in the room you are occupying and wait for instructions from the responders (SPVM). You will be notified when all danger has passed; 

• If the fire alarm or any other audible warning goes off during the event, wait for instructions from staff or the police, who will order evacuation unless you are certain that a fire is nearby and you are in immediate danger; 

• When police arrive, listen carefully to their commands. For safety reasons, officers may ask you to keep your hands in the air.