UMMC faces complex operational and safety considerations when preparing for an active shooter scenario. This guide translates national guidance into practical, facility-specific expectations for University of Maryland Medical Center staff and partners.
Planning, training, and clear communication channels are essential to protect patients, visitors, and personnel during a violent intruder event. The structured overview below highlights how preparedness, response, and recovery priorities align with hospital responsibilities.
| Priority Area | Key Actions | Responsible Parties | UMMC Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preparation & Training | Run drills, update plans, coordinate with police | Emergency Management, Security | UMMC Emergency Operations Plan |
| Detection & Notification | Monitor systems, report suspicious activity, activate alerts | Security Ops, IT, Clinical Staff | UMMC Alert Protocols |
| Response & Evacuation | Implement shelter, evacuate safe routes, treat casualties | Clinical Leaders, Safety Officers | UMMC Hospital Evacuation Maps |
| Recovery & Communication | Family assistance, after-action review, policy updates | Administration, Communications, Social Work | UMMC Incident After-Action Reports |
Run, Hide, Fight Protocol at UMMC
Understanding the Three Options
UMMC emphasizes the Run, Hide, Fight decision model as the primary guidance for staff and patients when an active shooter is present. This approach prioritizes evacuation when safe, securing in place when escape is hazardous, and last-resort defensive action only when confronted directly.
Environmental Triggers and Exits
Clinical areas display visual cues and signage indicating primary and secondary exits, as well as safe refuge rooms. Staff are trained to assess hallways, smoke conditions, and suspect location before moving, coordinating with security radio channels to avoid interference with emergency responder communications.
Clinical Continuity and Patient Safety
Maintaining Care During Crisis
Active shooter events require balancing rapid response with ongoing clinical obligations. UMMC protocols direct caregivers to stabilize critical patients, secure medications and equipment, and document actions taken under duress to support later review and regulatory compliance.
Protection of High-Value Assets
Medication carts, imaging equipment, and electronic health record stations are secured or shut down based on the incident zone. IT teams coordinate with physical safety staff to protect data integrity and maintain communication infrastructure for first responders and hospital leadership.
Law Enforcement Coordination and Hospital Perimeter Control
Interface with First Responders
UMMC establishes a clear incident command liaison to work directly with arriving police and state troopers. Officers receive floor plans, access point status, and patient location summaries to streamline tactical movement and reduce risk of misidentification during entry.
Access Management and Building Security
Mechanical systems are adjusted to control airflow between zones, and electronic access locks are overridden in lockdown mode to enable rapid egress. Visitor gates, parking structures, and loading docks are secured under direction from the hospital’s crisis team and public safety unit.
Recovery, Communication, and System Improvement
Family Support and Information Centers
Designated family assistance areas provide updates, counseling referrals, and accurate situational reporting. UMCC works with community organizations and local agencies to ensure consistent messaging across television, digital, and social platforms during heightened concern periods.
Post-Incident Review and Training Updates
After-action reviews examine decision timelines, radio traffic, clinical outcomes, and coordination gaps. Findings feed into revised drills, updated policy documents, and investments in technology such as enhanced surveillance, panic alarms, and improved wayfinding signage across the campus.
Key Takeaways and Recommended Actions
- Review and regularly rehearse UMMC’s Run, Hide, Fight procedures with your unit
- Know primary and secondary exits, refuge areas, and assembly points on your floor
- Coordinate with security and incident command during any violent intruder event
- Protect clinical data and medication systems while maintaining patient safety
- Participate in after-action reviews and refresher training to improve future responses
FAQ
Reader questions
How should clinical staff prioritize actions when an active shooter is reported in a patient care area?
Staff should first ensure immediate patient safety by moving vulnerable individuals away from the corridor, then decide between evacuation, lockdown, or defensive measures based on the shooter’s location and movement, always following Run, Hide, Fight guidance and hospital incident command directives.
What role do hospital security officers play during an active shooter event at UMMC?
Hospital security officers serve as the initial site responders, coordinating with arriving law enforcement, controlling access points, assisting with evacuation or lockdown, and providing situational updates to clinical leadership and the emergency operations center.
How are patients and families notified during an active shooter situation at the medical center?
UMMC activates its mass notification system via overhead paging, digital signage, SMS alerts, and staff radio channels, providing clear instructions on shelter location, evacuation routes, and expected arrival of emergency personnel without disclosing tactical details that could endanger responders.
What happens to ongoing treatments and surgeries during a lockdown or evacuation?
Stable patients in routine care are moved to safe zones or instructed to shelter, while critical procedures are completed as safely as possible with enhanced communication. Post-event, clinical teams reassess care plans and document all interventions to support continuity and regulatory review.