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Active Shooter – How to Respond

 

Run, Hide, Fight – Active Shooter Protocols

Good practices for coping with an active shooter situation:

  1. Be aware of your surroundings.
  2. Take note of the two nearest exits in any facility you visit.
  3. If you are in an office, stay in the office and secure the door.
  4. If you are in a hallway, get into a room and secure the door.
  5. As a last resort, attempt to take the active shooter down. When the shooter is at close range and you cannot flee, your chance of survival is much greater if you try to incapacitate the individual.
  6. Behaviors to look for in an active shooter (review Department of Homeland Security [DHS] link below in references).

**Call 911 only when it is safe to do so**

How to respond when law enforcement arrives:

  1. Remain calm and follow officers’ instructions.
  2. Put down any items in your hands (i.e., bags, jackets).
  3. Immediately raise hands and spread fingers.
  4. Keep hands visible at all times.
  5. Avoid making quick movements toward officers such as holding onto them for safety.
  6. Avoid pointing, screaming, and/or yelling.
  7. Do not stop to ask officers for help or direction when evacuating, just proceed in the direction from which officers are entering the premises.

Training your staff for an active shooter situation:

  1. Create an Emergency Action Plan (EAP).
    1. Implement training exercises based off the EAP.
  2. Preparedness and Prevention.
    1. DHS Active Shooter Situation – Options to Consider – video

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are some considerations to help you be prepared to react appropriately in an active shooter situation on the fireline? At the Incident Command Post (ICP)?
  2. Do you know the location of the closest Law Enforcement?
  3. What about at ICP or Helibase?
    1. Does your Incident Management Team or module have an EAP that addresses the potential active shooter scenario?
    2. If an active shooter situation occurs at ICP, do you have the Security Manager’s number, so they can immediately send the closest Law Enforcement Officer, or do you call Communications on the radio?
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Firefighter Health and First Aid

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New Glossary Term for Review

Date:  April 15, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Data Standards and Terminology Board (DSTB)

The Data Standards and Terminology Board is requesting feedback on a new glossary term: Resource Protection Measure (RPM).

The proposed definition is: Practical guidance provided for incident personnel in a manner in which incident objectives can be achieved while reducing impacts to identified resources across the landscape. RPMs are informed by, but not restricted to, Minimum Impact Strategies and Tactics (MIST).

Please review, share with your subgroups, and provide feedback as appropriate through the following form: Request Feedback The comment period will close May 10, 2026.

Thank you for your engagement in the NWCG glossary process – your participation is key to our success.

References:

Glossary Request Feedback

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Date:  April 1, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Leadership Committee

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Quarter Three materials focus on Leadership Level 3: Leader of People (Develop Intent). Leadership Level 3 is where your values, your team, and your influence come together. Leaders of People put their teams first, build trust, and lead with authenticity. They mentor future leaders and shape decisions up and down the chain.

References:

2025/2026 NWCG Leadership Campaign - Leadership Levels

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Date:  March 23, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Joe Schindel

The 2026 Core Components Module Package for RT-130, Wildland Fire Safety Training Annual Refresher (WFSTAR) and the 2025 Fire Year in Review are now available on the NWCG website. The 2026 Core Components Module Package provides all content needed to deliver RT-130.

References:

2026 Core Components Module Package

2025 Fire Year in Review Module

NEW! S-490, Advanced Fire Behavior Calculations (Blended) Available Now

Date:  March 17, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Fire Behavior Subcommittee

NWCG is pleased to announce that the new S-490, Advanced Fire Behavior Calculations (Blended), 2026 course is now available.

This training includes performance-based activities that allow students to apply the knowledge and concepts required for the Fire Behavior Analyst (FBAN), Long Term Fire Analyst (LTAN), and Prescribed Fire Burn Boss Type 1 (RXB1) positions. It supports individuals working towards these incident qualifications.

This blended course begins with a self-paced online training (OLT) in the Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP), followed by an in-person instructor-led training (ILT).

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S-490, Advanced Fire Calculations (Blended)

NWCG Fire Behavior Analyst (FBAN) Position Page

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