Active Shooter Scenarios

Remain calm and answer the dispatcher's questions. The dispatcher is trained to obtain the necessary and required information for an appropriate emergency response.

If safe to do so, stop and take time to get a good description of the shooter. Note height, weight, sex, race, approximate age, clothing, method and direction of travel, and his/her name, if known.

If the suspect is entering a vehicle, note the license plate number, make and model, color, and outstanding characteristics. All of this takes only a few seconds and is of the utmost help to the responding officers.

NOTE: An individual must use his/her own discretion during an active shooter event as to whether he/she chooses to run to safety or remain in place. However, best practices for an active shooter event are listed below.

If Outside When A Shooting Occurs

Drop to the ground immediately, face down as flat as possible. If within 15-20 feet of a safe place or cover, duck and run to it. Move or crawl away from gunfire, trying to utilize any obstructions between you and the gunfire.

When you reach a place of relative safety, stay down and do not move.

Wait and listen for directions from College Safety and/or public agency personnel.

If Shooter Is Outside Your Classroom/Office

Stay inside the classroom/office.

If possible, close and lock the outside door to the room.

Close the blinds, turn off the lights, remain quiet and move behind available cover. Stay on the floor, away from doors or windows, and do not peek out to see what may be happening.

If possible and safe to do so, report the location of the assailant.

Threatening Classroom Situations

If Suspect Is In Close Proximity

Lie motionless and pretend to be unconscious.

Do not attempt to apprehend or interfere with the shooter except for self-protection.

An individual must use his/her own discretion about when he or she must engage a shooter for survival.

Reporting A Threat

While shootings in schools are rare episodes, when they occur, they are often devastating. As an institution of higher learning, it is important for Bakersfield College to view these types of incidents with the appropriate perspective. Since 1966, there have been 89 shooting deaths at U.S. universities and college campuses; Virginia Tech was the largest. Compare that to the approximately 1,100 that commit suicide on college and university campuses every year, or the 1,400 to 1,700 alcohol related deaths on college and university campuses each year.

Despite shootings on campuses being rare, we as a community must be vigilant and prepared. It is important to note a few facts about these types of shootings. The Secret Service has studied the 30 major shooting incidents that have taken place at schools (elementary through college) since 1974. They found remarkable similarity in them. First, almost all of the individuals who have committed these crimes have been male, and were known for being isolated socially.

Almost all of them planned out their actions in advance, and over three quarters of them actually shared their plans with others before putting them into effect. Unfortunately, in only two cases did anyone report the plan to authorities before the attack. With these facts in mind, it is critically important that members of our community report threats and potential threats in a timely manner.

If you believe an individual poses an imminent threat to a member or members of the college community please contact the Department of College Safety immediately. If you are located at an off campus site, and believe imminent danger is likely, please contact 911 immediately and then contact the Department of College Safety.

If you do not believe that harm is imminent, but an individual's behavior seems threatening or seems like it could lead to harm to the individual or to the community, you should report the concern.

If you are a student or a faculty member, contact the Department of College Safety or your Dean's office. If you are a staff member or other member of the community, contact College Safety or the local police. It is better to err on the side of notifying the appropriate individuals than to remain silent; the institution has resources with which to assess these situations and the individual of concern. If you have any questions, please contact the Department of College Safety at (661) 395-4554.

Additional Info

As the number of school shootings increases, it has become more apparent that students, faculty and staff need to be prepared to respond to a threat. Bakersfield College takes the safety of everyone on our campuses seriously. While College Safety is present on all of our campuses, it is important for each member of our community to know what to do in the event of an active shooter.

Training sessions are regularly offered. Dates & times are posted on the events calendar when they become available.