Active Shooter Preparedness
Overview
An active shooter is an individual who is engaged in killing, or attempting to kill, people in a confined and populated area. Active shooter incidents are often unpredictable and evolve quickly. Amid the chaos, anyone can play an integral role in mitigating the impacts of an active shooter incident.
In many cases, there is no pattern or method to the selection of victims by an active shooter, and these situations are by their very nature unpredictable and evolve quickly. 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.
CISA’s Role
CISA aims to enhance incident preparedness through a "whole community" approach by providing a variety of no-cost products, tools, training, and resources to a broad range of stakeholders to help them prepare for and respond to an active shooter incident.
CISA offers a comprehensive set of courses, materials, and workshops to better prepare you to deal with an active shooter situation, focusing on behaviors that represent pre-incident indicators and characteristics of active shooters, potential attack methods, how to develop emergency action plans, and the actions that may be taken during an incident.
Featured Content
Active Shooter Preparedness Resources
CISA has developed a series of materials to assist businesses, government offices, schools, and communities in preparing for and responding to an active shooter incident.
Translated Active Shooter Preparedness Resources
Explore translated versions of CISA’s Active Shooter Preparedness Resources.
Non-Confrontational Techniques
CISA offers a variety of tools and resources to empower and educate employees, citizens, patrons or any person with the skills and support they need to identify and report suspicious behavior.
Select Resources by Audience
Active Shooter Preparedness Products & Resources
CISA has developed a series of materials to assist businesses, government offices, schools, and communities in preparing for and responding to an active shooter incident.
Issues covered in the active shooter resources include:
- Profile of an active shooter
- Responding to an active shooter or other workplace violence situation
- Training for an active shooter situation and creating an emergency action plan
- Tips for recognizing signs of potential workplace violence
Active Shooter Preparedness Program Fact Sheet
Active Shooter Pocket Card
Training
CISA provides training to the public with guidance on how to prepare for and respond to active shooter crisis situations.