Active shooter training (sometimes termed active shooter response training or active shooter preparation) addresses the threat of an active shooter by providing awareness, preparation, prevention, and response methods.Federal Bureau of Investigation (2013) A study of Active Shooter Incidents in the United States Between 2000 and 2013. Washington Navy Yard, Washington, D.C. https://www.fbi.gov/file-repository/active-shooter-study-2000-2013-1.pdf/view
Organizations such as businesses, places of worship or education, choose to sponsor active shooter training in light of a concern that as of 2013, 66.9% of active shooter incidents ended before police arrival in the United States. The Department of Justice says they remain "committed to assist training for better prevention, response, and recovery practices involving active shooter incidents" and they encourage training for civilians as well as first responders.
Although training is currently optional, businesses and organizations are beginning to face citations due to non-compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines regarding workplace violence.Occupational Safety and Health Administration (2017) Enforcement Procedures and Scheduling for Occupational Exposure to Workplace Violence (CPL-02-01-058). Washington, D.C. https://www.osha.gov/enforcement/directives/cpl-02-01-058Occupational Safety and Health Administration (2016). Guidelines for Preventing Workplace Violence for Healthcare and Social Service Workers (3148-06R). Washington, D.C. https://www.osha.gov/Publications/osha3148.pdf
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) further stresses that civilian training and exercises should include: ‘an understanding of the threats faced and also the risks and options available in active shooter incidents.
Legal requirements In the United States, OSHA has made recommendations for businesses when it comes to active shooting and the workplace.Occupational Safety and Health Administration (1970) OSHA Act of 1970 General Duty Clause 5(a)(1) (29 USC 654). Washington, D.C. https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/oshact/completeoshact Their guidelines within certain organizations also extend to building securities and facilities structures, as well as properly implemented active shooter preparation training. Lawmakers have also held organizations accountable for not having appropriate training or other protocols in place, citing OSHA's general duty clause. In 2017, the Department of Labor published the new "Enforcement Procedures and Scheduling for Occupational Exposure to Workplace Violence" which provides policy guidance and procedures to be followed when issuing citations related to workplace violence.
Given these changes, active shooter response training is quickly becoming a standard across America. Current active shooter training methods range from books to videos to multi-day on-site courses, but not all fall under OSHA's guidelines or judges approvals.
Types of training
Much analysis has been done on the techniques and methods of active shooters. In response to the data, some training programs include a focus on medical response for civilians, whereas other training programs place their attention on prevention, self defense, security of the building, escape during the event, psychology or physical escape.United States Department of Homeland Security (2008). “Active Shooter, How to Respond” Washington, D.C. https://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/active_shooter_booklet.pdf“Active Shooter: Recommendations and Analysis for Risk Mitigation,” Raymond W. Kelly, Police Commissioner, New York, New York https://www.nccpsafety.org/assets/files/library/Active_Shooter_Recommendations_and_Analysis.pdfFederal Emergency Management Agency (2008). “Active Shooter: What You Can Do” (IS-907) Washington, D.C. International Association of Emergency Medical Services Chiefs (2017). “Active Shooter Planning and Response.” Healthcare & Public Health Sector Coordinating Council. Washington, D.C. 2017 https://www.fbi.gov/file-repository/active_shooter_planning_and_response_in_a_healthcare_setting.pdf/viewYragui, N. L., Hammer, L, B., Demsky, C. A., & Van Dyck, S. (May, 2013). Linking Workplace Psychological Aggression to Employee Work, Safety & Health: The Moderating Role of Family-Supportive Supervisory Behaviors (FSSB). Common ideologies frequently taught are "Run/Hide/Fight" as put forth by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), "Avoid, Deny, Defend" (ADD) which was developed by the ALERRT center at Texas State University,Department of Homeland Security Active Shooter Educational - Sheet 1. https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/DHS-Active%20Shooter%20Educational%20Sheet_0.pdf "ALICE" which is an acronym for "Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate" offered by Navigate 360, and "STAAAT" or "Situational Threat Awareness, Assessment, and Action Training" developed by Security Advisors Consulting Group. There are differing viewpoints on the effectiveness of certain concepts, and the standards are constantly being updated with new data and methods.
Training for law enforcement
Many training programs focus on a particular group or groups of people. ALERRT (Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training), in conjunction with CRASE, and FLETC (Federal Law Enforcement Training Center) are examples of Federal- and State-level training, intended to help first responders and federal agents know how to respond to an active shooting. Other local agencies are also joining the fight and instituting their own form of training.Delaware Dept. of Human Resources (2015). “Policy Guidance Subject, Active Shooter” http://www.delaware.govCity of Olympia, WA. “Active Shooter Training Preparation.” http://olympiawa.govSergeant John Suess. “Active Shooter Training: Broward County Sheriff’s Office” Public Safety Commission Broward County, FL 2019
Training for organizations
Active shooter response training should not be confused with speech seminars, continuing education courses, or requesting a visit from local law enforcement. The FBI stresses the importance that training and exercises for citizens include an understanding of the threats faced and also the risks and options available in active shooter incidents. Private programs are available to organizations, businesses, schools (and more) which provide training in how to respond to or prepare for an active shooter.
Active shooter response training has become a service in demand given the increase in active shooting events in the United States, as well as to the continuing changes in laws, litigation, and OSHA requirements. There are few active shooter training programs available to the public, and not all agree on what are the correct methods for addressing the issue. The FBI urges everyone to receive proper training:Recognizing the increased active shooter threat and the swiftness with which active shooter incidents unfold, [our] study results support the importance of training and exercises— not only for law enforcement but also for citizens...even when law enforcement was present or able to respond within minutes, civilians often had to make life and death decisions, and therefore, should be engaged in training and discussions on decisions they may face.
Training for schools Schools have changed the way they approach the possibility of an active shooter entering the building. The different strategies that students and staff used at the Virginia Tech shooting in 2007, made significant difference in the number of injuries. It can be concluded that the more resistance that the staff and students used, the less likely the shooter could enter the room. For example, the room of fourteen people that gave the active shooter no resistance on entry had ten fatalities and two injuries, so a total of 85.7% of people in the room, while the room of twelve people that had a strong barricade of a table and body weight only had the one injury with zero fatalities, totaling to 8.3% of the room. It is more effective to give an active shooter resistance on entry than to give no resistance at all. However, the room of nineteen people that gave a weak barricade of just a table in front of the door suffered twelve fatalities and six injuries, which totals to 94.8% of the people in the room. This could have been due to there being more people in the room, or the resistance made the shooter frustrated, which made him lash out more. No certain conclusions can be made, however, as the shooter took his own life after the incident. The reason for this discrepancy is time. The classroom that had the weak barricade (Room 211) only had seconds to react. They only knew there was an active shooter when the Professor saw him in the hallway, and he was at the door to the classroom within seconds after she saw him. On the other hand, the other classroom (Room 205) had more time to build a better barricade because they knew about the shooting early on (the reason for that one injury is because the substitute professor was peeking out of the door when Cho was finished with the first room and Cho took a shot at him). By the Cho reached the classroom (which was the second-to-last classroom he hit) they have already had minutes to set up a barricade.
Training and insurance
FBI study results reveal that as of 2013, 45.6% of incidents occurred in areas of commerce, including those open and closed to pedestrian traffic. The second-largest area for incidents was places of education at 24.4%. From 2013 to 2018, the trends have remained similar, with more events occurring at places of business. Demand for a new active shooter insurance has increased, with some policies now offering discounts to those organizations who have received prior and qualifying active shooter training. Some schools and organizations are already spending millions on active shooter insurance, as it is becoming a growing necessity.
Controversy
Risks vs. benefits Those who plan training programs determine what should be conveyed in the drills, or if there should be drills at all.
In the United States, there has been some controversy over the effectiveness of active shooter training programs. Organizations disagree whether teaching youth to "fight" the active shooter (as referenced in the DHS "Run, Hide, Fight" directive) is dangerous or effective.West Virginia Education Association, 2019. Kanawha Students Receiving Controversial New Training To Counter School Shootings. Charleston, WV. https://www.wvea.org/content/kanawha-students-receiving-controversial-new-training-counter-school-shootings While the Department of Education does not recommend that students try to fight an active shooter, the FBI senior executive in charge of its active shooter initiative believes that fighting is often an unfortunate necessity and points out that individuals can at least train to fight.
After the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, Florida, in February 2018, it was suggested training programs could yield strategic information to potential shooters. Like most U.S. states, Florida requires schools to test their plans with drills.United States Government Accountability Office. Report to Congressional Requestors, Emergency Management: Improved Federal Coordination Could Better Assist K-12 Schools Prepare for Emergencies. March 2016. https://www.gao.gov/assets/680/675737.pdf The shooter, a former student, may have been familiar with the school's drills and emergency plans regarding active shootings; some alleged that he used the information to increase casualties. The school had received active shooter training before the actual shooting occurred, yet the 2018 shooting was the deadliest school shooting in the United States since the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in 2012.