---
title: "Active Attacker"
type: "wiki"
space: "Security and Emergency Management Services"
author: "Gerald Encabo"
created: 2021-10-28T17:17:03Z
updated: 2023-05-09T18:26:45Z
tags: ["active-attacker", "active-shooter", "security"]
url: "https://students.senecapolytechnic.ca/spaces/60/security-and-emergency-management-services/wiki/view/1938/active-attacker"
---

# Active Attacker

An unfortunate reality today is that institutions have to be prepared for sudden acts of violence intended to harm our students, employees and visitors. These acts are extremely rare, but as part of our ongoing commitment to safety, Seneca has procedures in place for active attacker and lockdown situations.

These procedures have been prepared based on the experiences of institutions that have had to deal with active attackers and in consultation with emergency services experts.

### What is an active attacker?

An active attacker is anyone actively engaged in an attack to harm or kill in a confined and populated area. This includes shooting someone with a firearm or attacking someone with another weapon.

Active attacker situations evolve quickly and most are over prior to police arrival. It is important that you are prepared both mentally and physically to take the actions necessary to protect yourself.

No location or geographical area is immune. Any campus, at any time, can fall victim to an active attacker. There is no pattern or typical method to the selection of victims.

This section provides general resources, direction and guidance to the Seneca community on how to respond to this type of situation. Each incident will be unique and unpredictable in nature.