Lockdown, Lockdown, Lockdown Published July 21, 2010 By 1st Lt. Cody Chiles 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- You hear gunshots fired on base. Seconds later the Giant Voice blares the command "Lockdown, Lockdown, Lockdown." What do you do? Where do you go? Are you prepared? As part of an Air Education and Training Command objective, Tyndall will undergo active shooter training and exercises to educate and train Airmen on what to do in response to a real-world active shooter scenario. "The initial training will be offered to unit representatives by the 325th Fighter Wing Anti-Terrorism Office who will, in turn, train their respective units," said Mr. John Kelley, 325th FW ATO chief. "Training saves lives. It alters detrimental instinctive mistakes into systematic precision responses." Mr. Kelley described an active shooter as "an individual actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a confined and populated area. In most cases, active shooters use firearms and there may or may not be a pattern or method to their selection of victims." The appropriate response to an active shooter will be dictated by the specific circumstances of the encounter. Always remember that there could be more than one shooter involved in the same situation. If involved in an active shooter situation, try to remain calm and use these guidelines for survival: IF YOU ARE CAUGHT OUTSIDE IN THE OPEN - Seek immediate cover and concealment. If possible, get behind something capable of stopping a bullet, such as an engine block, large tree or wall. - Run ... if it's safe to do so. IF THE SHOOTER IS OUTSIDE YOUR BUILDING - Lock the doors and windows, close the curtains or shades. - Silence all cell phones and turn off any sources of noise in the room, such as a television or a radio. - Hide in a place out of the active shooter's view. - Do not hide in a place that will restrict options for movement. - Dial 911, if possible, to alert police to the active shooter's location. If speaking is not an option, then leave the phone line open to allow the dispatcher to listen. IF THE SHOOTER IS INSIDE YOUR BUILDING - If it is safe to exit, flee the area. If it is not safe, hide in place. - Lock and barricade doors, stay low, remain silent, use furniture or anything capable of stopping a bullet for cover. - Stay in place until the "ALL CLEAR" signal is issued by a recognized authority. TAKE ACTION AS A LAST RESORT - Only when death is imminent, act as aggressively as possible and commit to your actions. - Attempt to disrupt or incapacitate the active shooter by swarming or throwing improvised weapons. - Escape if possible. If the shooter is in close range and people cannot flee, incapacitate the shooter to increase the chance of survival. WHEN LAW ENFORCEMENT ARRIVES - Remain calm and follow the police officer's instructions. - Leave your hands in plain view, avoid making quick movements and react in a non-threatening manner. - If applicable, provide details about the active shooter's appearance and location to law enforcement personnel. Tyndall personnel with additional questions about active shooter procedures and training should contact the 325th FW ATO at 283-4615 or the 325th Security Forces Squadron Intelligence and Investigation Branch at 283-9939.