Active Shooter/Active Threat

At Portland State University, the safety and well-being of our community is our priority. We believe that the key to enhancing campus safety lies in individual preparedness and awareness. This proactive approach ensures that everyone in the PSU community is well-informed and equipped with the knowledge and tools to handle the unlikely event of an active threat.

Active threats on our campus are very rare, yet being prepared is essential. The following information provides practical strategies for prevention, preparedness, and response. The tips and guidelines we offer are not exhaustive, but when understood, regularly reviewed, and practiced can significantly increase your likelihood of staying safe.

An active shooter or active threat is an individual(s) actively engaged in killing or attempting to maim or kill people in a confined and populated area. Assailants may use firearms, knives, or even vehicles. In most cases, there is no pattern or method to their selection of victims.

Why Prepare: Whether you are a student, faculty member, staff, or a visitor, knowing what you can do in the face of an active threat can make a significant difference. Preparedness is a shared responsibility that involves every individual on campus.

How to Prepare: Start by Getting Informed — actively seek information, sign up for campus alerts, and engage in training. Next, Make a Plan — consider what actions you would take and discuss these with coworkers, roommates, and others around you. These proactive actions can save a life, not just on our campus but across our wider community. 

NOTIFICATION

In an active shooter/active threat situation, your first notification may be from the event itself. Alert others in your area of the danger. Call 911 or CPSO (503-725-5911).

An emergency notification will also be issued through PSU Alert. This emergency notification system enables the University to contact the PSU community in the event of an emergency by sending information via your preferred method of communication (phone, text, or email). All @pdx.edu email addresses are automatically subscribed, but you must register to get text messages or phone calls. CPSO encourages all students, faculty and staff to sign up for the PSU Alert Notification System by logging into myPSU for students and Banweb for employees.
 

Since every incident varies, you should be flexible in determining which strategy works best in that specific situation. You must determine your best course of action. This should be based on your knowledge and assessment of the circumstances (e.g., proximity to the event, actions of the shooter, available escape options and your individual capacity).

• Pay attention to your surroundings.
• Have an escape route planned.
• Leave your belongings behind.
• Move rapidly and deliberately, utilizing chairs, desks, and other objects to conceal your movement and provide protection if necessary until you reach a safe place.
• Depending on location, consider exiting through windows. Have someone watch the door as you get as many out the windows (ground floor) as calmly and quietly as possible.

• Keep distance between you and the source.
• If possible, lock the door. If the door has no lock and the door opens in, use heavy furniture or other items to barricade the door.
• If possible, darken the room.
• Be low and silent, including putting cell phones on quiet or vibrate.

• If you cannot Avoid or Deny, be prepared to defend yourself.
• Act aggressively and committed to your actions.
• Find something to use as a weapon (chair, fire extinguisher, etc).
• Do not fight fairly. THIS IS ABOUT SURVIVAL.

• Remain calm and follow officers’ instructions.
• Put down any items in your hands (i.e., bags, jackets).
• Immediately raise hands and spread fingers.
• Keep hands visible at all times.
• Avoid quick movements toward officers such as attempting to hold on to them for safety.
• Avoid pointing, screaming or yelling.
• Do not stop to ask officers for help or direction when evacuating.

Always notify the police department as soon as it is safe to do so. Call 911 or CPSO 24-Hour Emergency number 503-725-5911

Research into active shooter events in the last 30 years show that a shooters path to violence often involves pre-attack behaviors and indicators. The use of a multi-disciplinary threat assessment and management team can interrupt this path. PSU CARES provides this function and is connected to both the regional and statewide threat assessment teams. If you are concerned about a student or community member, share your concerns with Campus Public Safety or make a referral through PSU CARES. 

Campus Prevention Resources

These resources focus on prevention and intervention and are always available to respond.

PSU CARES includes professionals from Student Life, Student Health and Counseling Center, Housing, Campus Public Safety Office and others who assist students in crisis. The team connects students with resources when they are experiencing distress and/or other issues that might impact their ability to function at their best in and outside of the classroom. You are able to help connect students to support services. Examples include students who behave in an aggressive or out-of-control way or talk about hurting someone or themselves. Learn about PSU Cares, the CARE Team, and how to submit a referral.

Threat Assessment Team (TAT) is a multi-disciplinary team that conducts a process of identifying and evaluating potential threats, including the likelihood and potential impact of an active threat incident. They are dedicated to the early identification, assessment and management of incidents and behaviors that threaten the safety and well-being of our community.

Get Informed and Make a Plan

• Review Emergency Procedures Guide — Quick reference guide on actions to take during an emergency. 
• Sign up PSU Alerts — PSU encourages all students, faculty and staff to sign up for the PSU Alert Notification System by logging into myPSU for students and Banweb for employees. 
• Need Evacuation Assistance? — If you need short or long term assistance during evacuations, self register for the optional Evacuation Assistance Registry in  myPSU (for students) and Banweb (for employees).
• Develop a plan. Discuss the plan with your classmates, roommates, coworkers and others around you. Practice the plan so you are ready. 

Take a Training

CPSO offers a variety of in person and virtual training and resource options to inform, prepare and empower the PSU community. These trainings and resources were developed in partnership with Student Affairs (PSU CARES, Dean of Student Life, Student Health and Counseling) and Emergency Management.

To request a training program for your department, complete the Active Threat Training Request Form. Forms must be submitted a minimum of 2 weeks prior to the preferred training date. Contact cpsotrainingrequests@pdx.edu for more information.

Emergency Procedures Orientation Slides (5-10 minutes) — Basic orientation on emergency procedures, emergency procedures and on campus safety resources. Can be integrated into an existing presentation, orientation or meeting.

Space Self-Assessment (PDF) — This document can assist individuals / departments evaluate which response options may be available to them on campus. **Available Online**

Active Threat Training (60-90 minutes, In Person or Virtual) — Provides general guidance on prevention, early identification, mitigation, and response to an active threat situation. Topics include early warning signs of pathways to violence, campus prevention resources, proactive mitigation measures, law enforcement activity, and preparedness measures on campus.

Physical Security Survey (60 minutes, In Person) — This survey includes a walkthrough by CPSO to evaluate vulnerabilities and available response options in the space in which an individual works on campus. Topics include: security measures in place (e.g., access control and communication systems), understanding the use of physical barriers, securing entry points, and other architectural features designed to reduce risk. Please complete the Self Space Assessment before requesting this survey. 

De-escalation Workshop (30-60 minutes, In Person or Virtual) — Trauma responsive de-escalation training will help you increase your understanding of how stress affects our brains and bodies and with that knowledge, build your toolbox of interpersonal effectiveness skills and de-escalation strategies to support individuals in distress.
 

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

CPSO Awareness and Prevention Resources — Protect Yourself and Protect Your Property. Learn more about crime prevention tips and resources.

Department Emergency Plans — Use the emergency response plan template to create a preparedness document for your department.

Active Threat Event Quick Reference Guide — Use this guide to be better prepared in case of an active threat or active shooter event.