Active Shooter Response: Run, Hide, Fight Training Guide

Key Takeaways – Active shooter response training saves lives. The Run, Hide, Fight protocol gives you a clear framework for surviving an active threat. – “Run” is always the first and best option — escape the danger zone whenever possible. – “Hide” when escape isn’t possible — barricade, stay silent, and conceal yourself. – “Fight” is the last resort — take decisive action only when your life is in immediate jeopardy. – Regular drills and professional training transform knowledge into instinct. – California’s SB 553 requires employers to include emergency response procedures in their workplace violence prevention plans.

Why Active Shooter Response Training Is Essential

No one wants to think about an active shooter scenario. But failing to prepare for one could cost lives.

Active shooter events — while statistically rare compared to other forms of workplace violence — have devastating consequences when they do occur. According to the FBI, the frequency of active shooter incidents in the United States has been trending upward over the past two decades.

The reality is that these events unfold in minutes. Law enforcement response times, even in the best circumstances, average 3-5 minutes. That means the actions taken by individuals in the first moments of an incident can mean the difference between life and death.

Active shooter response training gives employees and security professionals a structured, rehearsed plan of action. And in California, SB 553 requires employers to include emergency response procedures — including protocols for active threats — in their workplace violence prevention plans.

This guide walks you through the nationally recognized Run, Hide, Fight protocol, along with preparation strategies and drill best practices.

Understanding the Run, Hide, Fight Protocol

Developed by the Department of Homeland Security and widely adopted by law enforcement agencies, emergency management professionals, and security organizations, Run, Hide, Fight provides a simple, sequential decision-making framework for active threat situations.

It’s not a rigid set of rules — it’s a hierarchy of options. You assess your situation in real time and choose the best available action.

Step 1: RUN — Escape the Danger

Running is always the best option when it’s available. If you have a clear path away from the threat, take it.

What “Run” Looks Like

• Leave your belongings behind. Your laptop, bag, and phone are not worth your life.
• Move quickly but purposefully. Don’t freeze — move toward the nearest exit.
• Have an escape route in mind. This is why knowing your building’s exits before an emergency matters.
• Encourage others to come with you, but don’t wait for people who refuse to move.
• Keep your hands visible when you encounter law enforcement so they can quickly identify you as not a threat.
• Do not attempt to move injured people if doing so puts your own life at risk.
• Call 911 when you are safe — not while running.

Pre-planning for “Run”

The “Run” option works best when you’ve prepared in advance:

• Know your exits. Every workplace should have at least two identified evacuation routes. Know them.
• Be aware of your surroundings. When you enter any building — office, hospital, store, school — take 30 seconds to identify exits.
• Don’t assume the main entrance is the best exit. Side doors, fire exits, stairwells, and even windows on the ground floor may be faster and safer.
• Practice evacuations. Regular drills build muscle memory so you don’t freeze when seconds count.

Common Mistakes During “Run”

• Running toward the sound of gunfire to investigate. Always move away from the threat.
• Stopping to gather personal items. Leave everything behind.
• Using elevators. Always use stairs during an active shooter event.
• Clustering with large groups in open areas. Move to cover and continue evacuating.

Step 2: HIDE — Shelter and Conceal

When you can’t safely escape, hiding is your next best option. The goal is to put barriers between you and the threat and avoid detection.

What “Hide” Looks Like

• Find a room with a lockable door. Interior offices, storage rooms, and restrooms can work.
• Lock and barricade the door. Use furniture, equipment — anything heavy — to block entry.
• Turn off lights. Make the room appear empty.
• Silence your phone. Not just vibrate — completely silent. A buzzing phone can give away your position.
• Stay away from doors and windows. Position yourself where you’re least visible and most protected.
• Stay as quiet as possible. Control your breathing. Do not talk, cry, or whisper unless absolutely necessary.
• Do NOT open the door for anyone unless you are 100% certain they are law enforcement. Shooters have been known to impersonate police.

Choosing Your Hiding Location

Not all hiding spots are equal. Prioritize:

1. Rooms with solid doors and locks — interior concrete or heavy wood is ideal
2. Rooms without windows to hallways or common areas
3. Rooms with communication access — a phone to call 911
4. Rooms that are not obvious targets — avoid large conference rooms, cafeterias, or main lobbies

If you cannot find a lockable room:

• Hide behind large, solid objects (concrete pillars, heavy machinery, filing cabinets)
• Get as far from the threat as possible within the space
• Stay low and out of sight

If You Can Contact 911

When calling from a hiding position:

• Give your location (building, floor, room number)
• Report the number of shooters (if known)
• Describe the shooter’s appearance and weapons (if known)
• Report the number of people with you and any injuries
• Stay on the line if possible, but silence your phone if the threat is nearby

Step 3: FIGHT — Last Resort

Fighting should only be considered when running and hiding are not possible and your life is in immediate danger. This is the option of last resort.

What “Fight” Looks Like

• Commit fully. Half-hearted resistance can make the situation worse. If you decide to fight, fight with everything you have.
• Act with aggression and determination. Your goal is to incapacitate the threat.
• Use improvised weapons. Fire extinguishers, chairs, heavy objects, hot coffee — anything within reach.
• Work as a team if possible. Multiple people attacking simultaneously dramatically increases survival odds.
• Target vulnerable areas. Eyes, throat, and limbs holding weapons.
• Don’t stop until the threat is neutralized or you can escape.

The Psychology of “Fight”

For most people, fighting back against an armed attacker feels counterintuitive. That’s why training and mental preparation are so important.

Research from past incidents shows that:

• In multiple cases, unarmed individuals who fought back successfully stopped or delayed the attacker long enough for others to escape.
• The element of surprise works in the defender’s favor — most active shooters do not expect resistance.
• Group action is significantly more effective than individual action.

Active shooter response training helps overcome the “freeze” response by building mental readiness. You don’t rise to the level of the occasion — you fall to the level of your training.

When Law Enforcement Arrives

Understanding how to interact with arriving officers is a critical and often overlooked part of active shooter response training:

• Keep your hands visible and empty at all times
• Follow all commands immediately — officers may be forceful; this is for everyone’s safety
• Do not grab or cling to officers — they need freedom of movement
• Do not point or scream — calmly indicate the direction of the threat if asked
• Move in the direction officers came from to evacuate the area
• Do not stop to ask officers for help with injuries — their first priority is neutralizing the threat; medical teams follow behind

Officers entering an active shooter scene may not immediately distinguish between victims and threats. Your calm, compliant behavior helps them make that distinction quickly.

Building an Active Shooter Response Program

For organizations, individual knowledge isn’t enough. You need a comprehensive program:

1. Written Emergency Action Plan

Your plan should include:

• Building-specific evacuation routes and rally points
• Designated shelter-in-place locations
• Communication protocols (intercom, text alerts, PA systems)
• Roles and responsibilities for security staff and management
• Medical response procedures
• Family reunification processes

This should be integrated into your broader workplace violence prevention plan as required by California’s SB 553. [INTERNAL LINK: /workplace-violence/]

2. Regular Drills

Drills transform knowledge into instinct. Best practices include:

• Conduct active threat drills at least twice per year
• Vary the scenarios — different locations, times, and types of threats
• Include tabletop exercises (discussion-based) and functional exercises (physical walkthroughs)
• Debrief after every drill to identify gaps and improvements
• Accommodate employees with disabilities in all drill planning

3. Professional Training

Self-study and online videos can introduce concepts, but hands-on professional training is essential for real preparedness.

E3 Security Training Academy in Manteca, CA provides active threat response training as part of our Workplace Violence Prevention program. Our BSIS-certified instructors use scenario-based methods to build the muscle memory and decision-making skills that save lives. [INTERNAL LINK: /securitycourses/]

4. Coordination with Local Law Enforcement

Build relationships with your local police and sheriff’s departments before an emergency:

• Invite them to tour your facility
• Share your emergency action plan
• Participate in joint training exercises
• Ensure they have current building maps and access information

Special Considerations

Employees with Disabilities

Your active shooter response plan must account for employees with mobility impairments, hearing or vision limitations, and other disabilities:

• Designate buddies or assistants for employees who need help evacuating
• Identify accessible shelter locations
• Ensure alert systems are multi-modal (visual, auditory, text-based)

Remote and Off-Site Workers

Employees who work at client sites, in the field, or at non-traditional locations need active shooter awareness too. Include these workers in training programs and help them develop personal response plans.

Visitors and Contractors

People who are unfamiliar with your building are at a disadvantage during an emergency. Visitor management procedures should include basic safety orientation.

Take Action Before an Emergency

The time to prepare for an active shooter is now — not after an incident occurs. Every minute invested in training, planning, and practice could save a life.

E3 Security Training Academy helps organizations and security professionals across the Central Valley — including Manteca, Stockton, Modesto, Tracy, and Lodi — build the skills and systems needed to respond to active threats.

👉 Learn about our Workplace Violence Prevention training or view our full course offerings to get started.

You can’t predict when danger will strike. But you can decide right now to be ready.