Active Shooter Safety Tips: How to Stay Prepared & Protected

Did you know that most active shooter events are over in 5 minutes or less — often before law enforcement arrives?

In those critical moments, the right knowledge and a clear plan can make all the difference.

ALICE Training® empowers individuals and organizations with a proactive, options-based approach to active shooter safety. Instead of relying on outdated tactics like passive lockdowns, ALICE provides flexible strategies that help people make informed decisions — and survive.

The Evolution of Active Shooter Response

The Problem with Traditional Lockdowns

The “lockdown” method was originally developed in the 1980s, long before today’s complex threats emerged. These procedures often instructed people to find a place to hide, usually under desks or in corners, turn off the lights, and wait for help. But against modern active assailants, that single-option approach is no longer enough.

Hiding in a corner without a plan doesn’t protect people. It leaves them vulnerable.

The Case for a Multi-Option Approach

Federal agencies and school safety experts now recommend options-based training that empowers individuals to take action based on the situation. In fact, NFPA 3000, the national standard for active shooter response, explicitly recommends multi-option strategies over lockdown-only approaches.

ALICE Training® meets and exceeds these standards, equipping people with proven tactics that go beyond passive responses. As the original and most widely adopted options-based training program, ALICE continues to set the bar for effective active shooter preparedness across all sectors.

Active Shooter Safety Tips Based on ALICE Training®

The ALICE acronym stands for Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, and Evacuate — five tactics that can be adapted in real time to help individuals respond effectively. These active shooter safety tips are rooted in that proven framework.

1. Alert – Recognizing and Communicating the Threat

• Stay situationally aware. Know the warning signs of potential violence and take all threats seriously.
• Early intervention saves lives. If you see something concerning, report it immediately.
• Use clear, direct language to alert others to the threat. Avoid vague codes — plain language gets people moving faster.

2. Lockdown – Securing Your Location Effectively

• Lockdown should be active and strategic, not passive.
• Barricade doors using desks, chairs, or other heavy objects.
• Spread out, silence phones, turn off lights, and stay quiet. Avoid huddling together.
• If lockdown isn’t viable, evacuation could be your next move.

3. Inform – Real-Time Communication for Better Decision-Making

• Continue to share information as the situation evolves.
• Real-time updates (like shooter location or direction of movement) help others make better decisions.
• Use intercoms, radios, or group messaging tools to broadcast useful, actionable intelligence.

4. Counter – Creating a Survival Advantage When Necessary

• Counter does not mean fighting. It means disrupting the attacker’s ability to control the situation.
• Movement, noise, and distraction can overwhelm the shooter and break their focus.
• If you must act directly, aim to incapacitate the shooter using what’s available — fire extinguishers, chairs, or other objects.
• Coordinated action from a group can increase survival chances.

5. Evacuate – Leaving Safely When Possible

• If it’s safe, get out immediately. Evacuation is always preferable when possible.
• Leave your belongings and encourage others to follow, but don’t wait.
• Identify multiple exit points ahead of time so you’re ready to move under pressure.

​Why Choose ALICE Training® Over Other Response Models?

Empowerment Over Fear

Effective safety training shouldn’t create anxiety — it should build confidence. ALICE gives individuals the tools to assess, decide, and act, no matter where they are when a threat arises.

Blended Learning Model

ALICE uses a blended approach that combines digital eLearning with instructor-led, scenario-based training. This enhances learning retention and helps individuals recall critical steps under high stress.

Trauma-Informed, Age-Appropriate Design

From schools to workplaces, ALICE Training® supports the cognitive, emotional, and behavioral needs of participants. It’s tailored to be effective — and appropriate — for different ages, abilities, and settings.

The Importance of Comprehensive Safety Training

Why Cutting Corners Is Dangerous

Relying on outdated, improvised, or in-house training can leave dangerous gaps — and open organizations up to greater liability. ALICE Training® not only aligns with national safety recommendations, it exceeds them.

Thousands of organizations across all 50 states trust ALICE, including:

• K–12 schools and school districts
• Colleges and universities
• Corporate and retail workplaces
• Hospitals and healthcare systems
• Houses of worship
• Law enforcement and government agencies

When safety is on the line, don’t settle for anything less than proven, expert-led training.

Taking Action: How to Get Started with ALICE Training®

A Layered, Holistic Approach to Safety

Active shooter response training is just one layer of a larger safety plan. Navigate360’s on-site risk assessments help organizations identify gaps in their physical security, communication protocols, and team readiness.

When paired with ALICE Training®, you’re giving your people the knowledge, confidence, and structure they need to prevent violence and respond when every second counts.

Every environment is different. Your active shooter response plan should reflect that.