TULSA, Okla. -- Area law enforcement try to prepare for the worst by training for active shooting situations, but experts insist that everyone should have a plan.
Gary Rudick, the former police chief at Tulsa Public Schools, now works as a field representative for the Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security. He says the same safety advice that he gives to schools and law enforcement across the state can apply to everyone.
"We're just trying to teach people that you don't have to be sitting ducks in these situations and that there are things you can do," Rudick said. "The first thing is to be aware of your surroundings and have a plan."
That survival plan, he said, should include three things that could make a difference: run, hide, fight.
"Number one, can I run away? Can I get away from the threat?" he said. "Whatever the danger is, I need an out."
When it comes to hiding during an active shooting situation, Rudick said people need to keep in mind that they should cover and conceal themselves.
"You don't want to be seen, but you want to provide yourself with some type of ballistic cover so that if a firearm is being use, that it provides you with enough protection against bullets that are flying," he said.
"Close the door, lock the door, then put heavy objects -- bookcases, desks, chairs, anything that you can in front of the door to provide some additional protection," he added.
As a last result or if their lives are in danger, Rudick said people may have to fight.
"It probably will never happen, but if it does, you need to at least give it some thought about how well prepared you are and how much you will fight in order to save yourself," he said.
Rudick said being armed is another viable option of protection, but with some stipulations.
"You need to train with it. You need to be prepared to use it and then get it in your head that you can use deadly force on someone, that you can actually take a life," Rudick said. "If you don't believe that you're ready to train with it, be prepared to use it and that you can take a life, then don't get it."
