The video course clearly demonstrates how to behave in high-risk situations – directly within the Masaryk University environment. It is available on the MU Information System (IS MU) and replaces the previous training course ‘How to Respond in the Event of an Emergency – Active Attacker’. Compared to the previous online training, it is rooted in the reality of MU, using specific premises, signage and measures that students and staff at the university commonly encounter. It was created specifically for the university environment and reflects the actual situation in MU buildings. It also includes English subtitles, making it accessible to international members of the academic community.
“The aim of the new course was to create a training programme that is neither generic nor detached from reality, but is based directly on the environment at Masaryk University. We want students to recognise themselves in it, to know where they are, and to have a simple and clear guide on how to behave in a crisis situation,” said MU’s security manager and head of the security department, Pavel Bojanovský, about the course.
The course takes the form of four short videos featuring two guides, who are the students’ peers. The narration is complemented by striking and ‘playful’ graphics (icons of eyes, ears and a brain, a simple step-by-step diagram, and sketches of rooms and barriers), which make it easy to remember key information. The filming and editing of the course was handled by the Audiovisual Studio of the Faculty of Education at MU, which also contributed to the script.
The University as a Soft Target
The introduction to the course explains the concept of a ‘soft target’ – a publicly accessible place with a high volume of people and limited options for physical protection. MU is such a place. However, this is not a statement intended to cause alarm. On the contrary. The course emphasises that the security of a soft target is not just a matter of technical measures, but also the behaviour of the people moving within that space.
This is precisely where the main idea of the course stems from: mindfulness, the ability to listen and reflect on what is happening around us. Striking graphics featuring eyes, ears and the brain help to embed these principles simply and memorably into the everyday reality of university life.
Mindfulness and preparedness as the key
The second part of the course focuses specifically on mindfulness and preparedness. Both are presented as key factors that can play a crucial role in a crisis situation. The course explores who might be an attacker, how they might behave, and why it makes sense to be aware of unusual behaviour in people and unusual situations in the space around us.
At the same time, it also emphasises finding one’s way around buildings. The video reminds us that familiarity with the environment in which we regularly move is not a given, but an important part of our safety. Knowing where the nearest staircase is, which way the escape route leads, or where the evacuation plan is located is not merely theoretical knowledge, but a practical skill. Evacuation plans are displayed in every corridor, and the course gently encourages students and staff to take a look at them at least occasionally, even as a precaution.
The Soft Target Security course takes just a few minutes. But it can help in a situation where every second counts.
The USB Rule in the MU Context
The third video focuses on the internationally recognised ‘Run, Hide, Fight’ rule, which the course adapts to specific situations familiar within the MU environment. This is not a general explanation, but a practical guide on how to react depending on what the situation allows.
Escaping from a dangerous location, the possibility of taking shelter in a safe room, or the last resort of physical defence are explained with regard to university buildings, their layout and facilities. The course covers room signage, locking systems in classrooms and the possibility of creating a simple barrier. It also notes that the Czech Police have access to emergency response plans for MU buildings and are familiar with their internal layouts.
Communication during a crisis and a return to normal operations
The final part of the course focuses on crisis communication – both during and after an incident. It explains when and how to contact the Czech Police, when to contact the security desk, and what information it is advisable to have ready. Awareness of room signage also plays an important role at this stage, as it enables the precise location of an attack to be determined.
The course also highlights the SMS alert system and internal communication at MU, and emphasises how crucial it is to have your current emergency contact details filled in on IS or Inet. It is precisely this that ensures information reaches the right people at the right time in the event of an emergency. The final chapter also includes a reminder about MU’s emergency helpline and the availability of psychological support.
Safety as a long-term process
The new video course is one of the steps through which MU is systematically strengthening security at its faculties and workplaces. MU has a functional mass emergency communication system in place, including warning SMS messages and an internal public address system, has carried out a soft target vulnerability analysis, and is gradually enhancing the security of its buildings and their signage. Selected rooms with a higher concentration of people are fitted with internal locking systems, and the Czech Police have access to emergency response plans for university buildings. At the same time, security training continues at the faculties, tailored to specific workplaces.
“Security is not just about technical measures, but above all about vigilance, preparedness and mutual cooperation,” added Bojanovský.
What to take away from the course
- The university is a soft target – security also depends on the vigilance of each and every one of us
- Be observant of people and objects – unusual behaviour or abandoned items can be a warning sign
- Get to know your surroundings – take note of escape routes, staircases and evacuation plans in the corridors
- Follow the DSH rule: Drop, Hide, Stand – depending on the situation
- Use lockable rooms and remain quiet if taking shelter
- Remember how to communicate in an emergency – call 158 or the reception desk if necessary, and have key information ready
- Keep your emergency contact details up to date in IS MU or Inet MU – this is the only way you will receive warning text messages
- You are not alone after an incident – MU offers psychological support