Active Shooter Presention

What is an Active Shooter?

An active shooter is an individual who is dedicated to killing or attempting to kill people in a confined and populated area; in most cases, active shooters use firearms and there is no pattern or method for targeting victims.

Active shooter situations are unpredictable and evolve rapidly. The immediate deployment of law enforcement is required to stop the shooting and mitigate harm to victims. Because active shooter situations are often over within minutes before law enforcement arrives on the scene, individuals must be prepared both mentally and physically to deal with an active shooter situation. Knowing what to do can save lives.

The Pasadena Police Department wants to help you prepare for an Active Shooter incident by providing information, in-person training, and other resources free of charge.

For up to date statistics and information please visit www.fbi.gov.

Community Outreach

Please contact The Community Relations Section for more information on an in-person training at your work or business.

Sergeant Sammy De Sylva
Pasadena Police Department
Community Relations Section
(626) 744-7694

What to Do When an Active Shooter Is in Your Vicinity

How to Respond When an Active Shooter is in Your Vicinity - Information Flyer

Run

  • Have an escape route and plan in mind
  • Leave your belongings
  • Evacuate regardless of whether others agree to follow
  • Help others escape, if possible
  • Do not try to move the injured
  • Prevent others from entering the area where the active shooter is
  • Keep your hands visible
  • When appropriate call 9 1 1

Hide

  • Hide in an area out of sight of the shooter
  • Block the door or close the entrance to your hideout
  • Silence your cell phone (including vibrate mode) and stay silent

Fight

  • Fighting is used as the last resort and only when your life is in danger.
  • Try to incapacitate the shooter
  • Act as aggressively as possible
  • Improvise weapons or throw objects at the active shooter
  • Commit to your actions. . . Your life depends on it

The first officers to arrive on the scene cannot stop to help the wounded. Expect rescue teams to follow the first officers. These rescue teams will help the injured.

Once you have reached a safe place, it is likely that the police will stop you until the situation is under control and all witnesses have been identified and questioned. Do not leave the area until you have been instructed to do so by law enforcement authorities.

What to do when law enforcement officers arrive:

  • Stay calm and follow the instructions
  • Keep your hands visible at all times
  • Drop items from your hands (for example, bags, jackets) and with your hands up spread your fingers
  • Avoid any quick movements towards the officers
  • Avoid pointing and yelling
  • Don't ask questions just evacuate

Information to provide to 911 operators:

  • Active shooter location
  • Number of shooters
  • Physical description of the shooters
  • Number and type of weapons the shooter has
  • Number of victims in the area

For questions or additional information,
call your local authorities.

Pasadena Police Department
207 N Garfield Ave
Pasadena CA 91101
626-744-4551