The Importance of Active Shooter Training

When you hear the words "active shooter" and "aggressive intruder", you might become overwhelmed with fear or anxiety. Unfortunately, workplace violence or an active shooter situation is possible and a real threat, so your reaction is common and valid. Training can help mindsets and preparation can save lives. Active shooter training is essential in being prepared for a potential attack and being able to survive it. In this blog post, we will discuss some of the things you will learn in training and why active shooter training is so important. Though fear is part of it, preparation should be too.

What is an active shooter?

This might seem like a weird question, but defining it brings understanding and is part of the preparation. An active shooter is a person actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a populated area. An active shooter situation is an unpredictable and volatile situation that can happen anywhere, any time, whether at a school or on a campus to a corporate office or a public park.

Aggressive intruder situations may involve an individual armed with a gun, knife, explosive device, or other deadly weapon who is actively searching for victims. Generally, the active shooter does not discriminate between their victims, making these situations dangerous for anyone in the surrounding areas.

Active shooter training teaches you how to respond to an active shooter situation in the most effective way possible. It helps you, your team, or your organization develop an action plan in the event of an active shooter attack. The training can cover topics such as prevention, basic medical response, communication, and evacuation strategies. Training can also include simulated scenarios that allow you to practice the skills you have learned in real-life situations.

What are the statistics?

The facts and statistics are important. They show why we can’t ignore these situations. And they emphasize the need for training. Active shooter situations are tragically common, with over 250 incidents occurring in the United States between 2000 and 2017. In these incidents, almost 1,800 people were killed or injured. This is a sad statistic and it illustrates the need for active shooter training to help you prepare for these dangerous situations.

Another statistic to be concerned about, as we certainly are, is that only about one-third of all organizations in the United States have done any sort of active shooter training. Even among those organizations that do offer training, only about half of the employees at those companies have received the training. These numbers show the need to increase the availability of active shooter training, so more people can be prepared if they ever encounter an aggressive intruder.

What can you do to prepare?

Preparation is essential. Knowing what to do before, during, and after an active shooter situation can help save lives. Here are some ways to prepare for an active shooter event:

• Familiarize yourself with the layout of your workplace and plan an escape route in advance.
• Learn how to barricade doors and windows.
• Understand that fleeing and hiding are the two best strategies if an active shooter is present.
• Have an emergency response plan in place and practice it with your colleagues.
• If you encounter an active shooter, know that they may be unpredictable and may not respond to commands.
• Make sure you know and your team knows who to contact if a situation arises.

Active shooter training involves educating participants on this preparation and the procedures during a potential situation. Training can include recognizing potential warning signs, understanding the dynamics of an active shooter situation, planning and practice of escape routes and safe areas, as well as proper communication with law enforcement and emergency personnel. The training focuses on how to quickly assess the scene, decide whether to flee or hide, and recognize appropriate responses to de-escalate a situation before it turns violent.

Active shooter training can help prepare for any potentially dangerous situation, giving you the tools needed to protect yourself and your colleagues. Consider discussing with your colleagues, staff, or team the importance of preparation and then contact us for active shooter training. Different organizations have different needs; we provide custom-tailored courses to fit the needs of your agency, business, school or any other group. Our instructors have extensive specialized training and vast amounts of experience to prepare you and your team.

How can you stay calm during an active shooter situation?

Remaining calm during an active shooter situation can be essential. Panic and fear can cloud judgment and may lead to dangerous decisions. Active shooter training teaches you how to respond in a calm and controlled manner during a crisis, allowing you to take steps to protect yourself and those around you.

Staying calm during an emergency is not easy, but there are steps you can take to keep yourself composed:

2. Act quickly and decisively, but stay mindful of the safety of those around you. Don’t let panic or fear lead you into making rash decisions.

3. Follow the instructions of any law enforcement or security personnel present. They are trained professionals and will be able to help you in this kind of situation.

4. Remain quiet and stay low to the ground if possible. Don’t draw attention to yourself, as this may put you in danger.

5. If you are caught in a situation with an active shooter, don’t be afraid to fight back. Use anything you have at your disposal, like chairs or books, to make noise and distract the shooter while others escape.

These things can help you remain calm in the face of danger, which is an invaluable skill that can be acquired through active shooter training. Learning how to stay calm under pressure is an important part of keeping yourself safe in an active shooter situation. And we include it in our active shooter trainings.

The importance of training

We know that these events can happen anywhere, at work, at schools, in grocery stores, during events, and in churches. With the increased rate of active shooter incidents, it's more important than ever to be prepared. Active shooter training can be the most important tool to prepare for such a situation. We believe training is essential. And we believe it can save lives.

Active shooter training teaches people to recognize the signs of an active shooter situation, as well as how to protect themselves and others. For example, participants of training can learn how to barricade a door or window in order to buy time while waiting for help. It also helps you develop a plan of action if you are caught in an active shooter situation, such as fleeing to safety or hiding out until help arrives. Additionally, active shooter training instructs you on the importance of maintaining situational awareness, so that you can better identify warning signs and be more prepared for an active shooter situation.

Active shooter training is critical because it provides a level of preparation and knowledge. This preparation and knowledge can save lives. In addition to giving you the knowledge and skills to survive, active shooter training also gives you the confidence and courage needed to act in dangerous situations. This type of training can make a difference by helping you to think quickly, remain calm and take proactive steps to keep yourself and those around you safe.

Why we can't ignore the problem

Active shooter incidents have become common in our world; it is no longer acceptable to ignore them and pretend that they don't exist. As much as we may want to avoid the topic, the truth is that workplace violence, active shooter or aggressive intruder events are an increasing problem and we must face the reality of this threat. It is important to recognize the potential danger and be proactive in protecting ourselves and our co-workers by taking part in active shooter training.

This type of training is designed to help us prepare for the unthinkable. By attending these courses, we learn how to identify potential warning signs, create an action plan, and respond quickly and effectively if we are ever faced with an active shooter situation. We also gain an understanding of what to do before, during, and after an attack. This type of preparation is essential in helping us prevent or minimize loss of life and injury.

Prepare to be the difference

Active shooter training is about more than just getting prepared for a dangerous situation. It is about facing our fears and recognizing the importance of learning how to protect ourselves and those around us from potential harm. By equipping ourselves with the knowledge, skills, and resources needed to stay safe, we can ensure that we are taking all necessary precautions to safeguard our own well-being and that of our co-workers.

We cannot ignore the fact that active shooter incidents are a threat in our society today. It is essential that we take the time to get educated and trained so that we can be ready to face the reality of a potential attack and respond.

Contact us now to learn more information, to sign up for training, or to schedule a training for your staff.