Share Your Feedback

The REMS TA Center seeks your feedback to ensure that the Website is continually enhanced to meet your needs.

1.How helpful did you find this Web page?

Extremely helpful

Very helpful

Somewhat helpful

Not helpful

2.Will you use the information and resources from this Web page to develop or enhance your emergency operations plan?

Yes

Unsure

3.What else would you like to see on this Web page?

Public Burden Statement

According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control number for this information collection is 1880-0542, expiration 12/31/2023. Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 2 minutes per response, including time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. The obligation to respond to this collection is voluntary. If you have any comments concerning the accuracy of the time estimate, suggestions for improving this individual collection, or if you have comments or concerns regarding the status of your individual form, application or survey, please contact Cindy Savage, Contracting Officer, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, cindy.savage@ed.gov directly.

Please check the box below to proceed.

Thank You!

Your responses have been submitted to the REMS TA Center. We appreciate your feedback.

Previous Next Close

K-12 Emergency Management Planning

Active Shooter Situations: Exercises

Most schools practice evacuation drills for fires and protective measures for tornadoes, but far fewer schools practice for active shooter situations. To be prepared for an active shooter incident, schools should train their staff, students, and families, as appropriate, in what to expect and how to react. If students are involved, to select the appropriate exercise the school should consider the ages of the students. In a study of 84 active shooter events that occurred between 2000 and 2010, 34 percent involved schools.¹³

Good planning includes conducting drills which must include first responders and school resource officers (where applicable). Exercises with these valuable partners are one of the most effective and efficient ways to ensure that everyone knows not only his or her roles, but also the roles of others at the scene. These exercises should include walks through school buildings to allow law enforcement to provide input on shelter sites as well as familiarize first responders with the location.

Each person carries a threefold responsibility.

First: Learn the signs of a potentially volatile situation and ways to prevent an incident.
Second: Learn the best steps for survival when faced with an active shooter situation.
Third: Be prepared to work with law enforcement during the response.

¹³J. Pete Blair with M. Hunter Martaindale, United States Active Shooter Events from 2000 to 2010: Training and Equipment Implications. San Marcos, Texas: Texas State University, 2013. Available at http://policeforum.org/library/critical-issues-in-policing-series/Blair-UnitedStatesActiveShooterEventsfrom2000to2010Report-Final.pdf.

Previous Next