From Prevention to Response: Comprehensive Active Shooter Training in the Workplace 

Active shooter training is increasingly becoming a necessity for safeguarding employees’ lives in unforeseen circumstances. Workplace safety has now become a primary business concern. Workplaces are now the most likely place for active shooter incidents.  

Three important stats to know: 

• In 70% of recorded workplace mass shootings, the primary catalyst was an employment-related issue, such as someone having been terminated 
• Now, you are actually 18 times more likely to encounter workplace violence and an active shooter situation than a fire 
• Workplace violence costs companies around $121 billion each year 

“What Would You Do?”: A Firsthand Account 

The reality of such statistics becomes more poignant through individual stories. For example, meet Cheryl Stumbo. On July 28, 2006, Cheryl was working at a Seattle-based charity when an armed man entered the premises and started shooting, tragically killing one and injuring others. 

Reflecting on the incident, Cheryl told SAI360, “I have imagined several times what would I do if an earthquake happened while I was driving? What would I do if someone broke into my home, or my home caught on fire? All sorts of scenarios that you kind of do a drill in your head.” However, she admits, “An armed man breaking into a charity office where I worked and shooting me and my coworkers was never anything I had contemplated, never thought about before.” 

Cheryl’s experience underscores the urgency of training for active shooter events. “My brain was trying to solve the problem, trying to figure out what he was saying, why he was doing this, and also deal with the physical threat,” she recalls. “And I was running through all the options in my head as fast as I could.”  

Even having an extra five or so seconds of knowing what to do next, she said, could have made all the difference. 

“I think if we had done live shooter drills like we had done fire drills, for instance, I might have been a little bit more prepared,” Cheryl adds.

Cheryl’s insight is critical, as it emphasizes the value of imagining and preparing for such scenarios. 

Her instinctive reaction to shout, “Call 911!” in the face of imminent danger reflects the need for more structured preparation in active shooter training. For example, if she’d been taught about the benefits of running away to try and protect herself versus shouting at the shooter, thereby drawing more attention to herself.  Such workplace violence training focuses on practical, actionable strategies that can help in reducing risks and enhancing preparedness. The ultimate goal is to create a safe, alert, and responsive work environment where the safety of every individual is a common priority.  

Cheryl’s experience serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of being prepared for the unthinkable, ensuring that when faced with a crisis, employees are not left to improvise in a state of panic, but can rely on their active shooter response training to guide them through. 

Training Around Prevention 

Employees equipped with the knowledge and skills to identify warning signs and behaviors of workplace violence that may indicate a potential risk of violence can play a pivotal role in prevention. By encouraging a proactive stance where individuals feel empowered and responsible to report concerning behaviors or situations, workplaces can create a safer and more supportive environment. 

Of course, the effectiveness of such preventative measures hinges on the responsiveness of the organizational systems in place. When concerns are raised, they must be met with prompt and appropriate action. This approach ensures safety protocols are not just theoretical but actively contribute to a culture of vigilance and care. This way, an organization can demonstrate a commitment to both listening to and acting on employee concerns, ultimately fostering a more secure and trusting work environment. 

Training Around In-the-Moment Response 

Active shooter response training is critically important in preparing individuals for the worst-case scenarios in the workplace. It encompasses more than just theoretical knowledge; practical, hands-on experience is essential. This type of workplace violence training emphasizes immediate, in-the-moment responses that can be crucial in an active shooter situation. Trainees learn to quickly assess the environment, make fast decisions, and take effective actions that could save lives. 

Incorporating simulation in active shooter training can significantly enhance the learning experience. Simulations provide a realistic, yet controlled environment where trainees can practice their responses to various scenarios. This method is less intimidating and triggering than live event drills, as it allows for a safe practice space. Simulations can mimic the stress and unpredictability of an actual event, helping learners develop the necessary skills and confidence without the risk of real danger. This approach ensures that when faced with a real-life situation, individuals are better prepared to respond effectively. 

This kind of training can additionally equip employees with critical skills such as identifying safe exits, finding hiding places, and understanding when and how to confront a shooter as a last resort. Such real-time decision-making skills in crisis situations are crucial in high-stress scenarios where every second counts. 

Active shooter training also instills a sense of shared collective responsibility and action, similar to the “if you see something, say something” campaigns that began in the U.S. in 2001 following the September 11 attacks.

In an active shooter situation, the well-being of every individual in the workplace can depend on the actions and decisions of a colleague. This is true in the midst of the crisis, as well as in advance of it when individuals are able to recognize potential warning signs. 

Training in this context fosters a culture of mutual care and preparedness, where employees can remain vigilant and responsive to the safety of themselves and others around them. 

The goal of such training is to ensure that, in the face of immediate danger, the workplace community can respond in a coordinated, effective manner to protect lives and minimize harm. By preparing employees for the worst-case scenario, organizations demonstrate a commitment to the highest level of workplace safety and responsibility for their workforce. 

Additional Resources from SAI360 

• Click here for additional resources including Cheryl Stumbo’s testimonial: I Survived a Workplace Shooting. 
• Click here to check out our online library resources including simulation materials, online courses, videos, and offline facilitated materials for offline workers.