Preparing for the worst
What to do in a school shooting
by Samara Hawkins
The Reflector
Preparing for the worst
What to do in a school shooting
Campus shootings are back in the spotlight after the recent murder of nursing student Maple Batalia, who was shot to death in a parkade at Simon Fraser University.
Batalia, 19, was heading off campus from a late-night study session when she was shot multiple times. There were no charges laid at press time.
School shootings are taken very seriously at educational institutions, and Mount Royal University is no exception. Campus security continues to provide students and faculty members with peace of mind, and tools to stay safe throughout the year.
Bill Spring, manager of security services at Mount Royal, discussed an initiative to protect everyone entering MRU’s doors from the scenario of a school shooting, and offered tips to staying safe and, most importantly, alive.
“The big thing is, if you get caught in or around an active shooter anywhere — and not just on campus — you’d best take care of number one first,” he said. “Take care of yourself.
“If you can, draw all the people you can into a classroom,” Spring said. “Get everyone in, out of the hallways. Get them in, shut the door.”
Spring emphasized staying quiet, turning lights off and staying away from doors and windows.
“Turn off the cell phone,” he said. “That’s what they are listening for. We don’t want to scare anyone, but we’ve all seen it on the news.”
Janice Paskey, an assistant professor in the communications faculty, said it’s important to be educated and proactive when it comes to school safety.
“I think that security is in tune with what’s going on,” she said. “I think it’s a good thing to think about, and safety is certainly a responsibility of everyone on campus.”
If an incident — such as a shooting — ever occurred at MRU, emergency services are located within minutes of the university. Spring said the average time for police, fire or EMS to respond is 4 to 6 minutes.
Security’s tips for surviving a school shooting:
•Lock yourself in the room.
•Do not activate the fire alarm. It may put others at risk.
•Barricade yourself in the classroom using furniture.
•Call 911 with your cellphone, and give them as much information as you can.
•Playing dead is an option if the assailant is causing death or physical injury.
•If you decide to run, keep vehicles or any other objects between you and the shooter.
•If you are caught by the assailant and choose not to fight back, follow their directions without looking them in the eyes.
