When evacuating the hospital and encountering law enforcement, what should you do?

When evacuating a hospital during an active shooter situation and encountering law enforcement, it is crucial to keep your hands up and follow their commands. This action serves several important purposes.

First, raising your hands signals to officers that you are not a threat, which is vital in a tense situation where they may be on high alert. Law enforcement cannot immediately distinguish between victims and threats, so showing that your hands are empty and raised can help them assess the situation more quickly and reduce misunderstanding.

Additionally, following their commands ensures that you comply with established protocols and helps maintain order during a chaotic incident. The officers are trained to manage such situations and will provide instructions to keep everyone safe, including directing you to further evacuation points or safe zones.

In contrast, asking for help might delay the response time and divert their attention, running towards them could be perceived as aggressive behavior, and trying to provide additional information might not be prioritized in an immediate evacuation scenario. Thus, keeping your hands up and following their commands is the safest and most effective response in this context.