Guest Post: Active Shooter Events Continue to Rise – Are You Prepared?

In 2021, the FBI identified 61 active shooter incidents in the United States, which are defined as one or more shooters “actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a confined and populated area.”

Active shooter events in Las Vegas, Orlando, Sandy Hook Elementary and the City of San Bernardino make national headlines and increase concern about safety in public places. The FBI believes that “unlike a defined crime, such as a murder or mass killing, the 'active' aspect inherently implies that both law enforcement personnel and citizens have the potential to affect the outcome of the event based upon their responses.”

Evolution of Best Practices

In recent years, organizations have evolved their active shooting response from the popular “Run, Hide, Fight” to ALICE.

ALICE is a simple formula, developed by a police officer for his wife, a school principal, and stands for:

• Alert: Immediately communicate to law enforcement. In simple language, provide the nature of the emergency and the location of the shooter to law enforcement and the building’s occupants.
• Lockdown: Secure buildings and maintain a single point of entry so staff can monitor who is coming into the building. Designate secure areas in the building and limit access to these areas so they are available if an incident occurs.
• Inform: Use cameras, PA systems or eAlerts to provide ongoing reports of the shooter’s location to both law enforcement and the building’s occupants.
• Confront: Because occupants are usually the first responders in a shooting event, provide training on what can be easily accessed to use as a weapon. Something as simple as classroom equipment or wasp spray can distract or incapacitate a shooter.
• Evacuate: This is the preferred response to an active shooter situation. Training and discussion are key elements for occupants to identify multiple exit points and alternative ways to escape. Establish meeting points to reassemble after evacuation.

The ALICE method focuses on preplanning multiple actions and practicing the use of various tools and resources to save as many lives as possible. While the ALICE steps are not sequential, with education, training and practice, the method can be used to mitigate an active shooter situation.

Be prepared

Many entities have taken a proactive approach and implemented active shooter protocols and plans. To help strengthen your plan, consider the following:

• Work with law enforcement to refine the plan, gaining input on:
• Evacuation routes and safe meeting places to assemble
• Secure areas to lock down
• Contingency plans for individuals with special needs
• Initial notification, including what words to use
• Ongoing communication
• Assess the security of the building and control points
• Define the protocol for building visitors vs. occupants
• Identify communication devices
• Meet with your staff to gain their input and understanding of special situations
• Assign roles within the plan to individuals
• Write the plan and distribute to all staff
• PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE. Similar to regular fire drills, practicing a response to active shooter situations will make your occupants familiar with their options
• Review the plan annually and revise as needed.

No one wants to think he or she will be in an active shooter situation. However, with a robust plan and regular practice, you may be able to reduce the risk and damages. Therefore, it is increasingly important to review policies and procedures, which can ultimately save lives.

For additional Loss Control guidance, please visit the Plan & Protect safety hub.

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This post was graciously shared by the people of Great American Insurance Group

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