What to do during an active shooter emergency, outlining the “ALICE” steps.
What is an Active Shooter?
According to the FBI, an active shooter is defined as one or more individuals actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a populated area. This definition typically refers to incidents in public spaces where the shooter uses firearms, and the primary objective is to cause harm rather than other criminal motives.
Such situations are fast-moving and unpredictable, often requiring immediate police intervention to stop the threat. However, because these events usually end within 10–15 minutes—often before law enforcement arrives—individuals must be ready to respond on their own.
If you hear gunshots on campus or see an armed person threatening or attacking others, act quickly. Assess the situation and deploy the ALICE method which offers you the best chance of survival.
