Weber State University is committed to providing a safe environment for our employees, students, and visitors. It is all of our responsibility to help prevent campus and workplace violence by recognizing and reporting concerning behaviors and learning how to respond if an active threat situation takes place.
While the likelihood of experiencing an active threat is low, these situations can evolve quickly and are unpredictable. Preparation and training help you remain calm, act decisively, and improve your chances of survival.
An active threat/attack is when one or more individuals is actively killing or attempting to kill people in a populated area. The attackers(s) may use a firearm, knife, vehicle, explosive device, or other weapons. Active attacks are often unpredictable and can evolve quickly. Many are over within minutes; sometimes, before law enforcement or emergency medical services can arrive on scene.
Our primary goal is to prevent violence before it ever occurs. Research shows that behavioral interventions and safety awareness can significantly reduce the risk of an active attack in our community.
Engage with respect and dignity. We all have differences in opinion, perspectives and life experiences, but we can still work together to create a community of respect. Learn more about this effort at the .
Be vigilant. If you see concerning or threatening behavior, call 911 or University Police at 801-626-6460.
Say something. If there’s no immediate safety threat, but someone’s behavior raises concerns, tell someone. Get more information on how to report a concern or incident. Behavioral interventions can help de-escalate individuals who may be on a pathway to violence.
Look for support. If you’re in crisis, feeling isolated, or need help, reach out for mental health support, talk to a friend, or ask someone in your community for assistance.
If a person is considering violence, they may exhibit behaviors that suggest they’re planning an attack.Recognizing and reporting warning signs helps keep our campus safe and ensures people at risk receive the support they need. Watch for behaviors such as:
Report your concern immediately. Call 911 or ³Ô¹Ï¹ÙÍø Police at 801-626-6460.
Preparation and practice are key to surviving an active threat. Training can help you identify behavioral concerns that might signal an attack and develop a plan for how to respond. These life-saving skills can help you stay aware, remain calm, and choose the best options to protect yourself and others if an attack occurs.
Empower yourself (and your team) with these trainings and resources:
You can also request in-person training and building walk-throughs for your department/unit through the ³Ô¹Ï¹ÙÍø Police Department by contacting dispatch at 801-626-6460.
Be aware of your surroundings. An active threat situation can happen at any time and in any place. Situational awareness helps you recognize early warning signs and respond quickly. Familiarize yourself with the building or area. Identify nearby exits, stairways, and egress windows, in case of an emergency.
Sign up for Code Purple and download the Code Purple app to receive up-to-date information on emergency events.
The focus of the training is on individual skill-building. This includes learning how to prevent violence, improving your situational awareness, identifying response options if an attack were to occur, and learning how the university will communicate during an emergency.
We realize that thinking about active threats and violence can bring up strong emotions. It can be helpful to talk to someone about your feelings. You can reach out for mental health support, talk to a friend or family members, or ask someone in your community for assistance.
The "Avoid, Deny, Defend, Aid" terminology has been adopted by the Utah State Board of Education, as well as universities, businesses, and schools across the nation. The terminology was developed by Texas State University as a complement to their Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT).™
"Avoid, Deny, Defend, Aid" is similar to other response models (such as "Run, Hide, Fight") but includes important distinctions.
AVOID emphasizes that your first priority is to avoid the threat. While the best response is often to run, there may be situations where you need to move quietly to avoid detection or to assess the situation as it evolves. AVOID also acknowledges that some individuals may be physically unable to run.
DENY access to your location (such as locking and barricading doors) is a more active strategy than hiding (which implies passively concealing yourself or acting lifeless when an attacker enters the room).
DEFEND remains a "last resort" measure, but it's also your right and reinforces a survival mindset. Additionally, most K-12 schools and workplaces have zero-tolerance policies for "fighting" which may cause confusion for students/employees as they consider how to respond.
AID focuses on providing life-saving assistance to others when it is safe to do so, such as controlling bleeding until first responders arrive.
Regardless of which terminology you choose, the most important thing is to have a plan and remember that you have options for how to respond in an active threat situation.
When law enforcement arrives, their first priority is to stop the threat.
To stay safe during their response, follow these guidelines:
Keep in mind that law enforcement will not provide aid to injured individuals until the threat has been stopped. As a result, it may take additional time for emergency medical services to enter the building.
Content Advisory: This video discusses active threat situations and includes sounds of gunfire.
This starts with your state of mind:
When getting away is difficult or impossible:
When you can't avoid the threat or deny access to your location:
Once you are safe, help others who may have been injured.
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