March 21, 2013 | SharkAdmin School shootings are extremely rare but the recent rash of tragic accidents should remind all of us to remember critical safety tips. Learning these tips are a part of the Active Shooter workshops, offered at Northwest Vista College to help employees get in the survival mindset. Corporal Robert Sanchez, a member of the Alamo Colleges Police Department, said most of the recent shootings – Sandy Hook Elementary and Virginia Tech – typically were over in about 10 to 12 minutes. He said the important thing to remember is to take personal responsibility for your own safety; and if you see anything suspicious, call Alamo Colleges’ emergency at 210-485-0911 or 9-1-1. Emergencies include acts of violence, or if your life is in danger. For non-emergency situations the number is 210-485-0099. Non-emergency includes motor vehicle accidents (without loss of life), suspicious activity or property crimes. When in doubt call 9-1-1. Here are vital tips to remember when in a dangerous situation: Get out quickly; don’t wait to see what’s going on. Leave your valuables behind. If you can’t get out, hide out and lock doors. Assume the shooter’s intention is lethal, so think fast and be prepared to take the shooter out if you have the opportunity. Keep your cell phones on you at all times (not in purses) and put them on vibrate. This way, your phone won’t signal a shooter where you are if you are hiding out. When you call for help, provide the address of the college and describe where you are (for NVC, it’s 3535 North Ellison Drive, zip code 78251). If you have specific building where the danger is happening, provide that as well. After your class begins, close and lock the door. Shooters in the last few school tragedies, checked doors to see which ones were open. The next Active Shooter Training workshops are Friday, April 5; 1-3 pm Friday, April 19; 1-3 pm Friday, May 3; 1-3 pm To register for this or other training, please log on to ACES and click on AlamoLearn. Students can attend workshops on this topic with specific information geared toward them. Training for students is available at this link.