In life there are some situations we cannot fully prepare for. Over the last ten decades, active shooter situations has become more and more common. A protocol issued by the Department of Homeland Security may be the best precaution to date to deal with this sort of situation.

The protocol run, hide, fight is used at our school in an active shooter situation. The RHF protocol dictates that in the event of a school shooting, the first thing you should try to do is run away. If you cannot run, then you are advised to hide, and if you cannot hide, then you fight.

In the event that this sort of situation would ever happen, there are several key aspects that a student or even a teacher should be aware of. If have to take the approach of hiding, it’s very important that you take every precaution possible to stay hidden, such as silence your phone or any device on you.

When law enforcement arrives it is very important that you keep your hands held up, you should not make any sudden movements, and do not scream or yell at them. Law enforcement officers who enter the school building are not there to help anyone whom may be wounded from the attack, they are instead there to subdue the gunman. The EMT’s will most likely be close behind the law enforcement officers, so it is recommended to wait for assistance.

Paul Talley, one of the school resource officers, thinks that the Run, Ride, Fight protocol is a very safe and useful one. “I think it’s very effective, I think it’s the correct protocol,” Talley said.

Officer Talley believes Run, Hide, Fight is a superior alternative to ALICE (alert, lockdown, inform, counter, evacuate). He believes it’s much easier for the individual to remember and react to.

“If you take your occupation out of it, forget that you’re a student at BFA. If something happened at your house, what would you do?” Talley said.

But what about the students? What are their thoughts and concerns on the subject?  When asked if they knew what the Run, Hide, Fight tactic was, none of them actually knew.

Joe Wills (‘18), was asked about this protocol and what he thinks about it. “I think it comes naturally, I think those are just the logical steps,” Wills said.

Dakota Phenix (‘18) was asked about his thoughts on the protocol and whether if he thought it would be effective in such a situation. “Yeah, I do actually, because running should be your first instinct if there happens to be such a situation.” Phenix said.

Sam LaRosa (‘18) was asked his thoughts on run, hide fight. He shared similar opinions of the protocol to the other students. “I feel like it would because it would give some guidelines of what to do. Instead of being scared or afraid you’d have some sort of idea. An action plan.” LaRosa said.

LaRosa was also asked about his confidence in his other students of following run, hide, fight. “I feel like there would be some chaos. Nobody can control a large group of teenagers.” LaRosa said.

Run, hide, fight is something you should think of in any sort of situation where someone is threatening your life with a weapon. In your house, at the grocery stores, or at school. Run, hide, fight could save your life.