Office of Risk & Safety HomeActive Aggressor Preparedness
Incidents involving an active aggressor are rare but they can be unpredictable and may evolve very quickly. It is essential to know how to act quickly to protect yourself and others if such a situation arises.
An active aggressor is someone who is engaging in or threatening violence that could cause death or serious injury.
Everyone should remember three key actions during an active aggressor incident — get out, hide, and fight — to help you stay safe and assist those around you until emergency responders arrive.
Get Out
If it is safe to do so, quickly leave the area, leaving your belongings behind.
Warn others but do not wait for them.
Once you are in a safe location, call 911 and then Campus Security and Emergency Services (613-533-6111).
If you come across an injured person, do not stop. Report the person's location to emergency personnel when you are in a safe place.
Hide
If you cannot escape, get out of sight:
- Lock and block doors, turn off lights and silence your electronic devices.
- Hide under a desk or behind furniture or equipment.
- Stay silent and still, and listen.
If possible call 911 and then Campus Security and Emergency Services (613-533-6111).
Try to communicate silently: use text messaging, social media, or put a sign in a window.
Fight
If you cannot escape or hide, fight. This is an extreme response and appropriate only when you are in immediate danger.
Commit to your actions and behave as aggressively as you can.
Use makeshift weapons such as furniture, backpacks and fire extinguishers.
Be Prepared for an Active Aggressor Event
You can prepare for this type of situation by being more aware of the places you take classes, study or work.
Ask yourself:
- "Where are the exits?
- Do the doors lock?
- What if...?"
This kind of thinking helps prepare for all kinds of emergencies, wherever you may go.
Campus Security and Emergency Services actively patrol and monitor our grounds to ensure your safety. In addition, Kingston Police are equipped with highly trained priority response officers and tactical units who are prepared to respond swiftly and effectively should such a scenario ever arise.
Your safety is our top priority, and we appreciate your commitment to staying informed and prepared.
Please know that we are here to support you, and you are never alone when it comes to your safety.
Video Content Warning
The video "Get Out. Hide. Fight: Responding to an active aggressor on campus" contains a depiction of a violent assailant. While its purpose is to help prepare you for an unlikely emergency situation, we want to reassure you that your campus remains a safe and secure environment.
The video simulates the conditions you might experience during an active shooter event. Some people might find the video disturbing. It might help to view the video with others, such as classmates, friends or colleagues, so you can talk about it after you have watched it.
Professional resources are available:
For students
- Get Help Now
- Queen’s students can contact Student Wellness Services, Mitchell Hall room 109, 69 Union Street, Kingston. 613-533-2506
For employees
- Contact the university's EFAP provider,, available 24 hours.
In this video, you will learn what to do if you ever confront the unthinkable: an individual attacking people at random in a populated area.
The video above is one of several training tools and safety resources provided by Campus Security and Emergency Services as part of our ongoing commitment to campus safety. It is designed to help students, faculty, and staff stay informed, aware, and prepared to respond effectively in the unlikely event of an active aggressor incident.
Helping Individuals at Risk
An individual at risk is a member of the university community who has exhibited worrisome behaviour — words or conduct that, while not a clear immediate threat, still gives rise to a reasonable apprehension that they may be at risk of harming themselves or others.
Students can be referred to the Care Team. The Care team connects students to a variety of resources on and off campus, and provides non-clinical support around understanding and coping with stress and obstacles related to being a Queen’s student, living away from home, and everyday life. We answer student, parent, and community concerns.
Some students are referred to the Care team by faculty and staff who are concerned about a student's well-being and their ability to navigate resources and supports. The Care Team Coordinator receives referrals and assesses to determine the best available resources. Where there is an indication of a pattern or emergent concern for disruptive conduct, self-harm, or risk of violence to the community Care referrals will be assessed and reviewed by the University's Assessment and Care Team (ACT).
Concerns about employees or community members should be referred to Campus Security and Emergency Services who will ensure the appropriate resources are utilized to minimize the risk.
Notification Tools
You can further increase your chances of surviving an active aggressor situation by ensuring you receive timely notifications of incidents on campus. Once informed of the situation, Campus Security and Emergency Services will alert the Campus community using various means.
QUAlerts
QUAlerts is a service that allows the university to quickly send important messages via email, SMS text and text-to-voice, and the SeQure app.
All Queen's community members (Students, Faculty and Staff) are already enrolled in QUAlerts to receive email notifications to their Queen's email addresses. Sign up for SMS or text to voice alerts here:
SeQure App
SeQure is a mobile safety app developed for the Queen's Community to access to Campus Security and Emergency Services resources, tips, and tools, including the campus security emergency line, and student government services such as AMS Walkhome. By enabling "Push Notifications" you will receive important information regarding campus emergencies.