Active Shooter Informational Resources

An active shooter is an individual actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a confined and populated area. In most cases, there is no pattern or method to their selection of victims. Active shooter situations are unpredictable and evolve quickly. Typically, the immediate deployment of law enforcement is required to stop the shooting and mitigate harm to victims. Because active shooter situations are often over within 10 to 15 minutes--before law enforcement arrives on the scene--individuals must be prepared both mentally and physically to deal with an active shooter situation. The following resources provide information of preparing for such an incident and what to do if confronted with an active shooter.

U.S. Department of Homeland Security Resources

Active Shooter - How to Respond
Active Shooter Pocket Guide
Active Shooter Poster
Webinar--In September 2011, DHS hosted the Active Shooter Awareness Virtual Roundtable, a Webinar designed to help private and public sector partners understand the importance of developing an emergency response plan and the need to train employees on how to respond if confronted with an active shooter. An archived version of the Webinar, which includes presentations from a former police officer and a behavioral psychologist, as well as a video produced with assistance from the Federal Protective Service, can be viewed on demand at Active Shooter Awareness Roundtable Webinar.
National Retail Federation (NRF)-International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) Emergency Response Protocols to Active Shooters: Retail Supplement to DHS Active Shooter Materials (2008)
2011 National Retail Federation Emergency Response Protocols to Active Shooters: Retail-specific supplement to DHS Active Shooter Materials

Federal Emergency Management Agency Independent Study Class

FEMA Independent Study Class- Active Shooter: What You Can Do -- This course provides guidance to individuals, including managers and employees, on how to prepare to respond to an active shooter situation.