In today’s world, the unfortunate reality is that active shooter incidents are no longer confined to public spaces — they happen in workplaces across the country. As HR professionals, ensuring the safety of your employees is paramount, and one of the most effective ways to do this is through comprehensive active shooter training.

Active shooter is defined by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) as “one or more individuals actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a populated area.” The agency reports 48 active shooter incidents in the US in 2023. Almost 40% of these incidents (19) occurred in business environments, highlighting the vulnerability of workplaces.

Run, hide, fight method

Often unpredictable, active shooter incidents can evolve quickly and leave little time for an organized response. The FBI recommends that if you hear shots fired in your workplace or witness an armed person threatening people, you quickly choose from three options to save your life: Run, hide or fight.

RUN: Your first and best option

The primary goal in any active shooter situation is to get away from the danger as quickly as possible. If there is a safe path, employees should:

• Evacuate immediately: Don’t wait for others to agree. If you see a clear path to safety, take it. Encourage others to come with you, but do not let their hesitation slow you down.

• Leave your belongings behind: In an active shooter situation, time is of the essence. Trying to gather personal items can delay your escape and increase your risk.

• Help others escape if possible: If you can, assist those who need help, such as individuals with disabilities, to evacuate safely. However, your priority should be your own safety.

• Prevent others from entering: If you’re certain that a shooter is in a specific area, try to prevent others from unknowingly walking into danger by warning them or blocking their path.

• Keep your hands visible: When you’re fleeing, make sure to keep your hands visible to law enforcement officers who may be responding to the situation. This helps them identify you as a non-threat.

• Call 911 when safe: Once you’re out of immediate danger, call 911 and provide as much information as possible—such as the shooter’s location, the number of shooters, and the type of weapons involved.

HIDE: When you can’t run, find cover

If evacuation isn’t possible, the next best option is to find a place to hide. However, not all hiding places are created equal.

• Find a safe location: Look for a place that is out of the shooter’s view and provides some protection if shots are fired in your direction, such as behind a locked door or solid object like a filing cabinet or heavy desk.

• Lock and barricade doors: If you’re in an office or room with a door, lock it and use heavy furniture to barricade the entry. This can slow down or prevent the shooter from entering.

• Silence your phone: A ringing phone or any noise can give away your hiding spot. Make sure your phone is silenced and remain as quiet as possible.

• Turn off lights and stay out of view: Darken the room by turning off the lights and stay away from windows and doors where you could be seen. This makes it harder for the shooter to locate you.

• Remain calm and quiet: Panic can make you more noticeable. Focus on staying calm and controlling your breathing. Try to reassure others around you to remain quiet as well.

• Stay put until help arrives: Do not leave your hiding place until law enforcement has given the all-clear, even if you believe the shooter has left. It’s important to remain hidden until you’re sure it’s safe to emerge.

FIGHT: As a last resort, defend yourself

If your life is in imminent danger and neither running nor hiding is possible, the FBI advises fighting back as a last resort. This option is about survival, and it requires a commitment to act decisively:

• Commit to your actions: If you choose to fight, do so with the intent to stop the shooter. Your actions should be as aggressive as possible to increase your chances of survival.

• Use improvised weapons: Look around for anything you can use as a weapon—fire extinguishers, chairs, scissors, or heavy objects can be used to incapacitate the shooter.

• Work as a team: If you’re with others, coordinate your actions to overwhelm the shooter. Multiple people attacking simultaneously can disorient and subdue the attacker.

• Aim for vital areas: Focus your efforts on areas that will incapacitate the shooter—eyes, throat, or head. The goal is to stop the threat as quickly as possible.

• Continue the assault until the threat is neutralized: Do not stop fighting until the shooter is no longer a threat. This may mean disarming the shooter or rendering them unable to continue their attack.

• Be prepared for law enforcement: When law enforcement arrives, immediately drop any weapons and show your hands to avoid being mistaken for the shooter.

The growing threat of workplace violence

Active shooter incidents are just one facet of a broader concern: workplace violence. The rise in such incidents has spurred legislative action across the country to ensure that workplaces are better prepared and that employees are adequately trained.

In California, for example, new legislation has been enacted requiring employers to develop and implement workplace violence prevention plans. Effective July 2024, the law mandates that employers provide comprehensive training on how to recognize, avoid, and respond to potential violence in the workplace.

Similarly, new legislation is currently being considered in New York, which would require retail employers to train employees on workplace violence and equip them with skills to de-escalate situations before they turn deadly.

Why training is essential

Making life-saving decisions should be practiced and understood before an incident occurs. Active shooter and workplace violence training should be a regular part of your organization’s safety program. Here’s why:

1. Preparedness Saves Lives: In the face of an active shooter, every second counts. Training employees in how to respond can significantly reduce the number of casualties and increase the chances of survival.

2. Reducing Panic: In the chaos of an active shooter situation, panic can paralyze individuals, making it harder to act. Training helps employees understand what to expect and how to react, which can help keep panic at bay.

3. Legal and Ethical Responsibility: Employers have a duty of care to their employees. Providing active shooter and workplace violence training demonstrates a commitment to their safety and well-being, which can also reduce potential liability in the aftermath of an incident.

4. Empowerment: Training empowers employees to take control of their safety. Knowing they have a plan can boost their confidence and foster a culture of safety within the organization.

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