You receive an Active Shooter alert on campus. When is it safe to come out of your office?

The best action to take in response to an Active Shooter alert is to wait for confirmation from a police officer or a University official that it is safe to come out. These individuals are trained to assess the situation and have the authority to provide clear, reliable information about safety within the environment. Their definitive declaration serves as an important signal that the threat has been neutralized or that it is safe to leave a secure location.

The first option, which suggests listening to an unfamiliar voice, is unsafe because you cannot verify the identity or intentions of that person, and it could still pose a risk. The third option, relying on a subjective sense of time passing, may lead to premature action without proper information about the ongoing situation. Finally, choosing the fourth option indicates a lack of critical assessment; not all voices or times passing are reliable indicators of safety.

The response from law enforcement and authorized officials is designed to protect individuals by providing accurate and situationally relevant information, underscoring why it is essential to wait for their declaration.