This powerful lecture will discuss many facets of active shooter response. The active shooter history will be discussed, including the constant modification of active shooter attacks based on research the shooter(s) conducted. Research of the active shooter “stopwatch of death” will be discussed, emphasizing the criticality of rapid response. The profile of the active shooter will also be explored, including predictors based on age, race, academic history, and social status. Adult active shooters will also be discussed, including revenge shooters, shooters making a statement with extreme violence, and radical ideology motivated shooters.

This presentation will also discuss law enforcement tactics and the implementation of fire and EMS personnel into the response plan. Many fire and EMS agencies are unaware that the Department of Homeland Security has stated that fire and EMS personnel will enter into the active shooter environment and will conduct rescues while the situation is ongoing. In addition to the Department of Homeland Security requirements, numerous other organizations state that integrated police/fire/EMS response is required at active shooter events. These organizations include the International Association of Police Chiefs, the International Association of Fire Chiefs, the International Association of Fire Fighters, the Hartford Consensus, and the National Fire Protection Association.