What To Do In An Active Shooter Incident
Last Updated on August 14, 2025 / Health, Safety & Security, Training & Development
What steps can be taken to assist a company in developing an emergency response plan for a potential active shooter situation? HR Answer: Active shooter incidents are an unfortunate reality facing us all. Active shooter situations are unpredictable and can evolve quickly. It is important to provide your employees with the information needed to help prevent and prepare for the unthinkable. The first step in preparing for any emergency is to create an Emergency Action Plan: How to Respond – it is important that you act swiftly as an active shooter situation often evolves quickly: When contacting 911 provide as many details as possible, including: How to Interact with Law Enforcement on Scene: Law enforcement will be on the scene to stop the active shooter as quickly as possible. Any injured victims will not be helped until the shooter has been neutralized and the area is safe. The key to effective preparation for active shooter situations is to practice. It’s not enough to merely discuss the scenarios; employees should enact them, respond in real-time, and then debrief what went well and what could be done better. Even in practice situations, heart rates increase, and the natural fight, freeze, or flight response often takes over, overshadowing logical thinking and the application of learned tactics. Add this to your safety training program. For a more customized approach, visit our Active Shooter Training to learn more about how Clark Schaefer Strategic HR’s team can create a plan for your organization. In 2019, Clark Schaefer Strategic HR and MYCA Learning partnered together to support organizations in their search for essential training in accessible ways, resulting in the creation of our Active Shooter Preparation e-Learning Course. Geared toward preparing and protecting our communities should they face the unthinkable, this fifteen-minute course seeks to educate participants on how to be aware, how to assess their surroundings, and how to make a plan.
HR Question:How to Prepare
Run Hide Fight
Call and Text 911 for Help
Practice