Army’s Antiterrorism Awareness Month Offers Lessons for Western North Carolina

‘Run, Hide, Fight’ guidance and suspicious-activity reporting can help protect communities across the mountains.

August is Antiterrorism Awareness Month throughout the U.S. Army, but the basic principles of awareness and preparedness extend well beyond military installations.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has been a key part of recovery efforts from Hurricane Helene, particularly in Lake Lure.

For residents and visitors across Western North Carolina, the latest guidance from USACE offers a reminder that personal safety often begins with paying attention to what is happening around you.

That can be particularly important in a region that hosts large festivals, concerts, fairs, sporting events, churches, schools, government meetings and other gatherings that bring large numbers of people together.

The Army’s Antiterrorism Program focuses on protecting people, information, critical assets and facilities from terrorist and violent extremist threats. One of its central messages is simple: "If you see something, say something."

That does not mean residents should confront or investigate someone they consider suspicious. Instead, law enforcement officials encourage people to report specific behaviors or circumstances that appear unusual or potentially threatening.

Examples may include someone attempting to enter a restricted area, repeatedly photographing critical infrastructure, asking unusual questions about security procedures, leaving an unattended bag or package, or displaying behavior that suggests someone may be planning an attack.

The focus should be on observable behavior — not a person's race, religion, ethnicity or other protected characteristic.

For Western North Carolina communities, that awareness can apply anywhere from a crowded downtown festival to a school, church, courthouse, county government building or major tourist attraction.

Know what to do before an emergency

The Army also promotes the "Run, Hide, Fight" approach for active shooter situations.

Run

If there is a safe way out, leave. Leave your belongings behind and move away from the threat. Help others escape if you can do so safely, but don't allow someone else's hesitation to prevent you from getting out. Once you are in a safe location, call 911.

Hide

If you cannot safely escape, find a secure location outside the attacker's view. Lock or barricade the door if possible. Turn off lights, silence your phone and remain quiet. In a mountain community where buildings can vary significantly — from older downtown structures to modern schools and government facilities — knowing where exits are located before an emergency occurs can make a difference.

Fight

Fighting is a last resort when an attacker is in your immediate vicinity and there is no safe opportunity to run or hide. If that happens, act decisively and use available objects to defend yourself and disrupt the attack. The objective is survival.

What to tell 911

If you witness an active threat and can safely call 911, provide as much useful information as possible. Dispatchers and responding officers need to know:

• The address of the emergency where the threat is located.

• How many shooters or attackers are involved.

• What they look like.

• What weapons they have.

• Where victims may be located.

• Where you last saw the attacker.

• Any information about possible escape routes.

Officials warn not to put yourself in additional danger to obtain information. You may wish to take photographs and video if you can safely do so to share with law enforcement.

Awareness matters in the mountains

Western North Carolina's communities are connected by a network of local police departments, sheriff's offices, fire departments, EMS agencies and emergency communications centers.

Law enforcement agencies locally, statewide and nationally depend on the public to report emergencies about potentially dangerous activity.

The Army's antiterrorism campaign emphasizes that prevention does not rely solely on security personnel. An alert employee, visitor, teacher, church member, business owner or passerby may notice something that others miss.

That does not mean every unusual activity represents a threat.

It means residents should avoid ignoring behavior that genuinely concerns them — and allow trained professionals to determine whether further action is necessary.

For Western North Carolina residents, the message is straightforward: Pay attention. Know your exits. Have a plan. And if you see something that could threaten public safety, say something.

In an immediate emergency or crime in progress, call 911.