Active shooter incidents have become more frequent and unpredictable in recent years. They can occur in any crowded place, such as marketplaces, shopping malls, workplaces, schools or universities. For example, on May 24th, 2022, an elementary school in Texas witnessed the deadliest school shooting in the state's history. Therefore, it is vital to have active shooter preparedness and know how to handle such emergencies. Proper training can enable you to defend yourself and others in a crisis and increase your chances of survival.

Workplace safety should be a priority for all businesses. With our active shooter awareness & response training for employees in Texas, you can ensure that your staff is prepared for the worst-case scenario. Our program provides the necessary training and awareness to employees needed to respond to active shooter events in the workplace. We also provide practical drills to help your staff quickly and efficiently respond to a threat. Contact us to avail our services or to learn more about them.

Here are some tips that you should follow to ensure your safety during an active shooter attack:

1. Be aware of your surroundings - A simple but important step to ensure your safety is to be aware of your surroundings. In places that you visit frequently, such as workplaces, schools, colleges or universities, or even public venues, pay attention to the entry points and exits of the place. You should also know where to hide or take shelter if an active shooter incident occurs. Being alert can help you to identify early signs of danger and act quickly to save your life and others.
2. Follow the 'Run, Hide or Fight' method - The 'Run, Hide or Fight' method is a common strategy for dealing with active shooting scenarios. To follow this method, you need to assess your situation first. The first response should be to run and escape the scene if it is possible and safe to do so. If you know the escape routes and can access them easily, it is the best decision to run and help others to escape as well. Encourage everyone to leave their belongings behind and not waste time trying to pack them up. In situations like these, saving lives is the priority and even a few seconds of delay can be fatal.

As soon as you reach a safe zone, you should inform the police and emergency services about the situation. If your situation does not allow running, then the next best thing to do is to hide yourself. Try to find a place to hide, lock or barricade the entry points, silence your electronic devices and turn off the lights in the place, thus denying the shooter any access to you. The last resort should be to fight back. If running or hiding is not feasible, then you may have to choose to fight back. This is where active shooter preparedness or training is extremely helpful. Active shooter training programs teach you how the average person might realistically take down a gunman. Knowing this will give you more confidence to fight and increase your chances of survival.