School Security Preparedness: An ABC Approach to the Active Shooter Threat

Craig Matsumoto | Senior Vice President, Enhanced Protection Services 

Active shooter incidents in U.S. schools continue to be a significant concern. In 2023, the FBI reported 48 active shooter incidents across the country, with 105 fatalities and 139 injuries. These figures represent a 60% increase in active shooter events since 2019. As a new school year resumes, it is imperative that educational institutions adopt and maintain comprehensive security strategies to mitigate this growing risk. Let’s review key areas of focus contained within an “ABC” approach that can help protect students and staff.  

A: Awareness 

Awareness is the cornerstone of security preparedness. Schools must ensure that all members of the adult community —teachers, administrators and support staff — are aware of vulnerabilities, risk profiles, and best-practice responses to an active shooter threat.  

• Threat Assessments and Response Plans | A vulnerability assessment helps identify areas where security gaps exist and provides a foundation for establishing an active shooter response plan. Schools should create a multidisciplinary threat assessment team to help direct and manage the process while defining security protocols. 
• Train and Empower | All school staff should be well informed and trained in proper active shooter prevention and response. This includes support staff such as maintenance, food service, and transportation. The established protocol should include a variety of response measures that are clear, well-defined, and consistently reviewed. All new personnel should receive this education and training as part of the onboarding process.  
• Situational Awareness | While active shooter situations are often unpredictable, encouraging a culture of vigilance throughout the school can go a long way in mitigating a potential incident. A “see something, say something” culture should be fostered through a multitude of channels so that students, school personnel and family members are empowered to recognize what might be a potential threat. Clear and anonymous reporting channels should be established for them to share concerns. 

B: Barriers 

• An effective and comprehensive school security plan is layered and may include access systems to harden entry points and secure the perimeter. This is an important aspect to help monitor students, staff, and visitors. Physical barriers are essential in delaying or preventing access to potential threats, providing critical time for law enforcement to arrive, and for individuals to reach safety. 
• Access Control Systems | Control access to school buildings with locked doors, buzz-in systems and surveillance cameras. Ensure all exterior doors remain locked during school hours and that visitors are screened upon entry. 
• Plain-clothes Guards | According to the FBI, nearly 70% of all active shooter incidents end before police arrive and nearly 37% end in two minutes or less. The first line of defense at any school is the personnel. Well-trained, armed security professionals in plain clothes can provide a heightened security posture. Working covertly, these guards are less likely to be identified by a bad actor and best equipped to identify and respond to an emerging threat.   
• Firearms Detection Canines | For many school environments, particularly college campuses, Firearms Detection Canine Teams offer an effective solution to the active shooter threat. Canines intended for firearm detection deployment complete training focused on detecting low-explosive powders, as well as cleaning solvents and other gun-related odors. Properly trained dogs will alert with a “sit” response to indicate the presence of a firearm, whether previously fired or static. With canine sporting breeds like Labrador retrievers, teams can foster a comfortable environment for students and personnel, while simultaneously providing enhanced protection.   

C: Cooperation and Communication 

• Cooperation and ongoing communication between local law enforcement and school personnel is vital in reducing risk and understanding how to respond in case of emergency. School leadership should maintain an ongoing information exchange with local emergency responders. This communication should be transparent and focus on suggestions for identifying warning signs and risk factors. Further,  parents who are members of the law enforcement community can also prove to be trusted contacts for engagement.   

Safeguarding students in school is the highest priority. Success requires leadership and a layered security plan. While there is no one-size-fits-all solution, focusing on this “ABC” approach allows schools to maintain a state of readiness and significantly improve preparedness.  

Click here to download our Resilience Planning Guide  

Click here to download The Active Shooter Threat and Reducing the Risk.