When Prevention Fails: Increasing Survivability in an Active Shooting Event

• In Event: School Violence in the Wake of Parkland: Predictors, Precautions, and Responses to School Shootings

Abstract

Although shootings in schools are rare events, the reality and fear surrounding these events are ever present. While much focus is placed on hardening the school as a target, the discussion around how to respond to an active shooting event is often overlooked. This study tested two competing paradigms in how to respond to an active shooter event: traditional lockdown versus a multi-option response. Using scenarios, we test each paradigm and examine time to completion and survivability.

Authors

• Cheryl Lero Jonson, Xavier University

• Melissa M. Moon, Northern Kentucky University