History has proven that in today’s high risk environment with regards to an active threat, it is critical for a responder to communicate and when feasible, train with other agencies, fire departments, emergency medical service personnel and school staff. The responder should be familiar with all other response plans such as evacuation, lockdown type plans and bomb threats as well as his/her role when response teams arrive on the scene. Understanding all the response plans and having the training to decide which action plan to follow is a critical decision making skill required for responders. Too often, emergency response plans are practiced in a robotic and singular fashion with no consideration of or opportunity for real-time decision-making. Training should include the introduction of a hypothetical emergency/threat and responders must decide which plan to follow and action(s) to take. This will assist in providing the responders with the skills necessary to make hard choices under real-world stress.

      • Evacuation/bomb threats
      • Lockdowns
      • Tabletop sessions with administrators, teachers, etc. (blue card system)
      • Coordinate and train with other Police, Fire and EMS when possible
      • Avoid “blue on blue” – on scene and planning for arrival of other law enforcement