What is the priority during an active shooter situation?

In an active shooter situation, the priority is to neutralize the threat posed by the active shooter, as this is essential to prevent further harm or loss of life. Stopping the active shooter first means addressing the most immediate danger to all individuals in the vicinity. This action prioritizes the safety of both potential victims and responding personnel.

After the threat is neutralized, attention can then turn to the subsequent needs, such as helping injured individuals, evacuating bystanders, and providing medical assistance. This approach aligns with the principles of protecting life, ensuring that the situation is contained as swiftly as possible.

While evacuating all personnel and establishing communication links are important tasks during an emergency, they can only be effectively executed once the immediate threat has been addressed. Assessing the situation is also critical, but it must be done in conjunction with actions to neutralize the threat, not as a standalone priority.