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An active shooter situation is one of the most terrifying emergencies any person can face — whether at work, school, a house of worship, or a public event. According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Ready.gov, the number of active shooter incidents in the United States has increased significantly over the past two decades. Knowing what to do before, during, and after such an event can save your life and the lives of those around you.
Understanding the Threat
An active shooter is an individual actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a confined or populated area. These incidents are often unpredictable and evolve quickly. The FBI defines an active shooter event as one in which one or more individuals are actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a populated area, and recent data shows that most incidents unfold within minutes — before law enforcement can respond. According to Ready.gov’s Hazard Information Sheet on Active Shooter incidents, these events can occur anywhere and at any time.
The Run-Hide-Fight Framework
The most widely recommended response protocol for active shooter situations comes from the Department of Homeland Security and is endorsed by Ready.gov: Run. Hide. Fight.
Run
If there is an accessible escape path, attempt to evacuate the premises. Leave your belongings behind. Help others escape if possible, but do not let that prevent your own escape. Prevent others from entering an area where the active shooter may be. Keep your hands visible, and call 911 once you are safe.
Hide
If evacuation is not possible, find a place to hide where the active shooter is less likely to find you. Lock and blockade the door. Silence your cell phone (including vibration mode). Hide behind large items such as cabinets or desks. Remain quiet and stay out of the shooter’s view.
Fight
As a last resort, and only when your life is in imminent danger, attempt to incapacitate the shooter. Act with physical aggression. Improvise weapons. Commit to your actions.
Preparing Before an Incident
- Learn the floor plan of places you frequent most — your workplace, school, place of worship. Know where exits, stairwells, and utility closets are located.
- Participate in workplace training. The Department of Homeland Security offers free ALERRT and Active Shooter Preparedness training resources.
- Sign up for emergency alerts. Many local governments have mass notification systems that push alerts via SMS or app. Enable these in your area.
- Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, leave the area.
- Discuss a family communication plan. Designate a meeting point and an out-of-state contact all family members know to reach if local lines are jammed.
When Law Enforcement Arrives
When police arrive at an active shooter scene, they will move directly toward the threat. You can help by: keeping your hands visible and fingers spread; avoiding holding items that could be mistaken for weapons; following all instructions from officers; informing officers of the shooter’s last known location and description if you witnessed it.
Consider taking the Stop the Bleed training — it teaches civilians to apply tourniquets and control major bleeding before emergency medical services arrive.
The Role of Community Awareness
Prevention is the best response. The FBI’s “See Something, Say Something” campaign encourages reporting suspicious behavior to law enforcement. Most tip lines allow for anonymous reporting. Warning signs may include expressions of homicidal ideation, sudden behavioral changes, social isolation, and acquisition of weapons inconsistent with normal life.
How PubSafe Supports Community Safety During Active Shooter Events
In fast-moving crises like active shooter incidents, real-time communication and situational awareness are critical. PubSafe is a public safety networking platform designed to help communities respond more effectively to emergencies. With PubSafe, users can:
- Share real-time location and status — so family members, first responders, and community members know you are safe or need help
- Receive and push emergency alerts — enabling citizen-to-citizen and citizen-to-responder communication during fast-moving incidents
- Connect with local emergency networks — so your community is better woven together before a crisis occurs
- Report suspicious activity — giving residents a structured channel for passing safety concerns to relevant parties
In an active shooter situation, every second counts. Having a tool that provides real-time awareness — for both civilians and responders — can make the difference between chaos and coordinated action. PubSafe bridges the critical gap between public safety agencies and the communities they protect.
Building a Culture of Preparedness
Active shooter preparedness should not be treated as a taboo topic. Schools, businesses, and faith communities can hold preparedness discussions and drills. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Ready.gov provide free downloadable resources including printable Hazard Information Sheets, training videos, and course curricula. Preparedness is not about living in fear — it is about building confidence. When people know what to do in a crisis, panic is reduced, response times improve, and lives are saved.
Resources
- Ready.gov Active Shooter page
- DHS Active Shooter Preparedness: dhs.gov/active-shooter-preparedness
- Stop the Bleed: stopthebleed.org
Bookmark this page, share it with your family and coworkers, and visit Ready.gov’s Active Shooter page for the latest guidance. And consider joining PubSafe’s public safety network — because in a crisis, a connected community is a safer community.
Mental Health and Recovery After an Active Shooter Event
Active shooter incidents are traumatic not just for those directly involved, but for entire communities — including first responders, witnesses, students, employees, and residents of affected areas. The psychological impact of active shooter incidents can be profound and long-lasting. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, and complicated grief are common responses that may emerge days, weeks, or even months after the event.
Ready.gov and FEMA encourage survivors and community members to recognize these impacts as normal responses to an abnormal situation. Seeking mental health support is not a sign of weakness — it is a sign of self-awareness and a critical part of recovery. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) maintains a National Helpline (1-800-662-4357) that provides free, confidential help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Many communities also deploy crisis counselors in the immediate aftermath of mass casualty events — look for these resources at emergency operations centers, community centers, and through your local health department.
For children who have experienced or been exposed to active shooter incidents, specialized trauma-informed care is important. The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) provides resources specifically for parents, educators, and mental health professionals working with children in the aftermath of these events. School counselors and pediatricians are often the first point of contact and can provide referrals to specialized services.
Organizations can also support their employees’ recovery by providing access to Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), hosting community meetings where employees can process their experience in a structured setting, and maintaining flexible work arrangements during the recovery period. Clear communication from leadership about organizational support is an important part of the collective recovery process.
Active Shooter Preparedness in Schools
Schools across the United States have implemented various active shooter preparedness programs, including lockdown drills, visitor management systems, threat assessment teams, and physical security upgrades such as buzz-in entry systems, surveillance cameras, and reinforced classroom doors with interior locks. The level of preparedness varies significantly by district and state, but the federal government has invested heavily in school safety grants through the STOP School Violence Act and other programs.
Parents can advocate for their children’s school safety by attending school board meetings, asking questions about the school’s emergency response plans, and encouraging age-appropriate safety conversations at home. Talking to children about active shooter preparedness does not have to be scary — focus on empowerment, situational awareness, and the importance of trusting trusted adults. The FBI and CISA both offer resources specifically designed for school communities.
Importantly, school security measures should complement — not replace — threat assessment and mental health support programs. Research consistently shows that the most effective school safety strategies include both environmental and social components: a welcoming school climate, strong student-teacher relationships, accessible mental health services, and clear reporting mechanisms for students who witness concerning behavior in their peers.
Workplace Active Shooter Preparedness
Workplace active shooter preparedness is increasingly considered part of standard occupational health and safety planning. OSHA, DHS, and the FBI all provide guidance specifically tailored to workplace environments. The key elements of a workplace active shooter preparedness program include: a written emergency action plan that specifically addresses active shooter scenarios; regular employee training that includes both awareness education and practical exercises; establishment of a threat assessment team that includes HR, security, legal, and management representatives; clear reporting channels for employees to report concerning behavior confidentially; and coordination with local law enforcement to review the emergency action plan and conduct practice exercises.
ALICE Training (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate) and other response training programs have been widely adopted by businesses, healthcare facilities, and universities as supplements to the standard Run-Hide-Fight protocol. These programs emphasize empowering individuals with options rather than prescribing a single response, recognizing that active shooter situations are highly variable and no single protocol is optimal for every scenario.
After completing your preparedness training, consider sharing what you have learned with PubSafe’s community network at pubsafe.net — because informed, connected communities are far more resilient than isolated individuals facing these threats alone.
