Responses to School Shootings: How Teachers, Students, Law Enforcement, and EMS Respond

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Preparing and planning only go so far, the response to a school shooting is something most are not prepared to deal with. Teachers, faculty, and students normally do not receive formal training on how to respond to a shooting in their school and are not prepared for the high risk situation. Although there are steps that can be taken in order to lessen the severity of the situation should it occur, many students, teachers, and staff are not fully aware of them and ready to put the actions in place. Response to active shooter events, such as school shootings, is in the back of law enforcement officials’ minds although the officers may not truly be ready for the high risk situation. Many law enforcement officers complete the minimal training required and do not actively continue practicing the techniques and tactics they have learned. Time and efficiency are two main factors that all responders should keep in mind to help end the shooting and treat those that have already been affected. Communication between officers, dispatchers, Emergency Medical Service, and all other responders must be clear and concise to avoid confusion at the scene. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (2013) states, “Between 1% and 2% of all homicides among school-age children happen on school grounds or on the way to and from school or during a school sponsored event”. Although majority of all students, teachers, EMS, and law enforcement officers will never see a lethal occurrence happen at the school, with the slight chance that it could, everyone should be prepared. Responses to school shootings have evolved over the years to increase efficiency and to attempt to save innocent lives. While rapid deployment techniques have been implemented to incr...

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Schuster, B. (2009, March). Preventing, preparing for critical incidents in schools. Retrieved from http://www.nij.gov/journals/262/Pages/critical-incidents-in-schools.aspx

Sullivan, W. Personal interview. (2014, March 24).

What to expect from responding police officer. (2014). Retrieved from http://police.buffalostate.edu/active-shooter-response-and-procedures

Wilson, M. (2012, Dec. 21). Police strategies for dealing with school shootings changed after columbine. New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/22/nyregion/training-police-officers-to-respond-to-school-shootings.html?_r=0

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