How to respond to an active shooter Published Dec. 23, 2010 By Airman David Owsianka 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- Luke Air Force Base will conduct an installation-wide active shooter exercise Jan. 13. The base is taking steps to inform the Luke community on what to do in this kind of a situation. "To help prepare our community, the 56th Fighter Wing Force Protection Office has prepared training for unit members and family members," said J.B. Hertwig, 56th FW Force Protection chief. "The wing has also prepared a planning template for the units who are using it to plan for how they would react to an active shooter event." An "active shooter" situation is when an armed person has used deadly physical force on other persons and continues to do so while having unrestricted access to additional victims. The Air Force designated the term "LOCKDOWN" as a means to rapidly convey the situation across the installation, he said. Knowing what to do in the event of an active shooter on base is critical for your safety and survival. There are a few main points Thunderbolts need to follow to stay safe during an active shooter scenario. During a LOCKDOWN, each facility provides everyone inside with specific instructions to follow. Facility leaders will secure doors and windows and guide all guests to a safe room or location inside the building. Once the room is barricaded, remain quiet and look for objects that could be used to protect yourself with; if need be. If you're with a group of people, be prepared to fight as a last resort if there is no means to escape from an imminent threat. Emergency responders should be the only ones moving around the installation, unless a shooter is in the building or office space you are in and you are in imminent danger. "When LOCKDOWN is declared, there are steps a person should take depending on where they are," Mr. Hertwig said. Understand that facilities will be secured quickly. If you are outdoors or in your car, you should attempt to enter a facility within the first few minutes of the LOCKDOWN command. "If you are outdoors and cannot make it into a facility, find a place to hide," Mr. Hertwig said. "When selecting a place, find a block walled structure that provides protection from bullets and has a good view to watch for an active shooter." Luke conducts extensive training and exercise programs quarterly throughout the year. Each exercise challenges Airmen on base and prepares those involved mentally and physically on how to react in case the event happens for real. Mr. Hertwig provided the following checklist on what to do if there is an active shooter. 1. If outside, find a path to escape, locate a hide-out or, as a last resort, take action against the shooter 2. Escape the area if possible, get indoors 3. Alert others by shouting, "lockdown, lockdown, lockdown" 4. Call 911 5. If evacuation is impossible, find a place to hide 6. Seek shelter in the nearest building or behind an object 7. If inside, lock and barricade the doors with heavy furniture 8. Turn off lights and silence cell phones 9. Pull drapes and blinds if they are present in your secure room 10. As a last resort or if there is an imminent threat to life, use whatever means possible to overpower the shooter