When Facing an Active Shooter, Get Those Targets Moving

At GovSec West, speaker Shawn Slezak discussed the importance of the ALICE program and how correct training can keep students and faculty safe when an active shooter is on campus.

As part of GovSec West’s Campus Security and Life Safety lineup, Moving Beyond Lockdown: An Overview of the ALICE Response Program to Active Shooter Event was presented by Shawn Slezak, a national trainer to public and private organizations across the nation.

During his speech, Slezak spoke about the difference in a police officer’s training and that of an active shooter. Simply put, law enforcement officers have tactical training, and active shooters do not. Statistics show that only 18-22 percent of all shots fired by officers are fatal, while 80 percent of shots fired by an active shooter end up claiming a life. How is that possible?

According to Slezak, cops have several things to consider before firing their weapon. They think about repercussions, worrying that an innocent bystander will somehow walk into the shot before the bullet makes it to their intended target, and hoping that whatever the outcome of firing their weapon that they will be able to deal with it. In other words, cops are distracted.

Shawn Slezak discusses ALICE.

Active shooters do not have distractions, and Slezak mentioned that the shooters only have one thing on their mind: to kill. In most cases, campuses lock down their facilities. And during that lockdown, students are told to hide under desks or tables. If the shooter enters a room during this time, the targets are stagnant and the shooter doesn’t even have to take aim in order to fatally shoot someone.

This is where Slezak shows his irritation with the lockdown system. “Why are students told to stay in one place and wait for the shooter to show up?” he asked. “It doesn’t make sense, especially when there are young children on campus. An active shooter hasn’t been trained on shooting a moving object, so get those targets moving.”

According to research during Slezak’s presentation, the majority of students and faculty that didn’t wait for law enforcement to show up survived an active shooting because they took immediate action.

Here is a breakdown of the ALICE program:

ALERT: use plain and specific language when making a 911 call or alerting authorities about an active shooter on campus.

LOCKDOWN: barricade and prepare to evacuate, but do not waste time waiting for law enforcement to arrive.

INFORM: communicate the shooter’s whereabouts to help either officers pinpoint the location or to help students safely escape the facility.

COUNTER: this is a last resort, make noise and throw objects to distract the shooter in order to help others escape.

EVACUATE: break windows from the top corner, move to the rally point as quickly as possible and follow law enforcement commands.

A final point Slezak made was that a violent act can also make the difference between survival and death. Don’t be afraid to act out against the shooter; take a stand and fight for your life and the lives of others. In several past active shooter events, such as Sandy Hook, it took just one person to make a stand that saved several precious lives.

About the Author

Lindsay Page is the editor for Campus Security & Life Safety magazine, and the senior editor for Security Today.

Featured

  • Until We Meet Again

    A short three years ago we were all pondering whether to attend any tradeshows all thanks to COVID-19. Sorry to bring that nightmare up again, but it seems that little pandemic is in the rear-view mirror, and it’s time to meet again. Read Now

    • ISC West
  • Cyber Hygiene: What it Looks Like for IoT Devices

    Cyber Hygiene: What it Looks Like for IoT Devices

    For our second pillar about the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) Pillars of Security, we are going to discuss what cyber hygiene looks like for IoT devices. Read Now

  • ISC West Announces 2023 Keynote Series Speaker Lineup

    The International Security Conference (ISC), in collaboration with premier sponsor Security Industry Association (SIA), announced five of this year’s ISC West Keynote Series speakers. ISC West will kick off its annual conference on March 28 (SIA Education@ISC: March 28-30 | Exhibit Hall: March 29-31) at the Venetian Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada. Read Now

    • ISC West
  • Accelerating Security Modernization

    In recent years, the term “digital transformation” has been one of the most frequently used buzzwords across industries. On its most basic level, it refers to the reimagining of how an organization leverages its technology systems to improve business processes. Read Now

Featured Cybersecurity

New Products

  • ComNet NW1 Gen 4

    ComNet NW1 Gen 4

    ComNet, Communication Networks, is announcing the introduction of its Generation 4 line of NetWave® wireless products that offer greater performance and increased stability in applications where throughput and increased bandwidth is increasingly important. 3

  • Videoloft Cloud Video Surveillance VSaaS Solution

    Videoloft Cloud Video Surveillance VSaaS Solution

    Videoloft focuses on transforming traditional professional surveillance systems into cloud connected solutions via the Videoloft Cloud Adapter. 3

  • Camden Door Controls ‘SER” Surface Boxes and Extension Rings

    Camden Door Controls ‘SER” Surface Boxes and Extension Rings

    Camden Door Controls has introduced new ‘SER” surface boxes and extension rings that provide a complete solution for new construction. In addition, they provide a simple and robust solution when replacing round wired and manual push plate switches with either Camden’s wired or wireless SureWave™ no-touch switches or Kinetic™ no-battery wireless switches. 3