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Quizzes > General Knowledge & Mixed > Miscellaneous

Take the Active Shooter Training Quiz and Test Your Skills

Think you can ace active shooter tactics and safety rules? Dive in!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration of a scored active shooter training quiz with check marks and tactical gear icons on teal background

This Active Shooter Training Quiz helps you practice decisions under pressure and check your tactics, safety rules, and protocols. Use it to spot gaps before a training day at work, starting with the safety assessment and then the tactical scenarios .

What does the 'Run' phase of the 'Run, Hide, Fight' strategy emphasize in an active shooter situation?
Create distractions to impede the shooter
Contact law enforcement first
Evacuate the area immediately
Barricade yourself in a room
The 'Run' phase prioritizes evacuating yourself and others away from the danger if a safe path is available. This reduces exposure and increases survivability by putting distance between you and the shooter. Law enforcement and DHS strongly recommend fleeing over hiding if you can safely exit the area.
When seeking cover during an active shooter incident, which of the following provides concealment but NOT ballistic protection?
Thick curtains
Solid wood door
Concrete wall
Metal filing cabinet
Concealment only hides you from the shooter's view, while cover provides both concealment and protection from bullets. Thick curtains can obscure you but offer no ballistic resistance. Understanding the difference ensures you choose a location that can actually stop rounds if available.
Which of the following is a primary objective of the 'Hide' phase in the 'Run, Hide, Fight' protocol?
Evacuate the building
Immediately engage the shooter
Remain out of sight and secure yourself
Create distractions to deter the shooter
During the 'Hide' phase, the goal is to remain out of sight and secure the area by locking and barricading doors. Concealing yourself and keeping silenced improves your chance of not being detected. This step buys time until law enforcement arrives or you can safely run.
During an active shooter event, what information is MOST critical to convey when you call 911?
Exact location and description of the shooter
Your personal identification
How many people you know are in danger
Your emotional state
Dispatchers need precise details like the shooter's location, appearance, and weapon type to allocate resources effectively. Providing exact location helps responders get to the scene faster. Other personal details are secondary and can delay immediate response.
What should you do if you cannot run and there is no safe place to hide?
Fight back with improvised weapons
Find a hiding spot and remain silent
Surrender to the shooter
Call 911 and wait for the shooter to leave
When evacuation and concealment are not possible, fighting back is recommended as a last resort to disrupt the shooter's actions. Improvised weapons and aggressive tactics can reduce the shooter's advantage. This approach is endorsed in federal training guidelines for active shooter response.
When law enforcement arrives at the scene of an active shooter, you should do ALL of the following EXCEPT:
Keep your hands visible at all times
Point out the shooter while moving toward officers
Raise your hands and empty your pockets
Follow officers' instructions immediately
Approaching officers while pointing and moving can be mistaken for a threat. You should raise your hands, keep them visible, and follow instructions without making sudden moves. Officers are trained to secure the scene and locate the shooter first.
Which component is NOT part of the ALICE active shooter response acronym?
Alert
Evacuate
Lockdown
Isolate
ALICE stands for Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate. 'Isolate' is not one of the five components. Understanding this acronym helps organizations develop layered response plans.
What is the primary difference between 'cover' and 'concealment' in an active shooter scenario?
Cover blocks visibility; concealment stops bullets
Cover refers to calling for help
Both terms mean the same thing
Concealment hides you; cover stops bullets
Concealment hides you from view but offers no protection from gunfire. Cover provides ballistic protection and concealment. Knowing the difference ensures you seek locations that can stop bullets.
In an active shooter situation, once you have reached a secure hiding place, what should you do if you have cell phone service?
Call 911 and provide updates
Call friends and family to say goodbye
Take selfies to document the event
Record and livestream the incident
Once you're hidden and safe, keeping law enforcement informed of any changes in location or shooter movement is critical. Provide updates to 911 dispatchers until help arrives. Avoid nonessential calls that may delay response.
Which action best describes the 'Fight' phase of the 'Run, Hide, Fight' strategy?
Immediately calling 911
Negotiating with the shooter
Hiding in silence until law enforcement arrives
Using items in the environment as improvised weapons
The 'Fight' phase involves actively disrupting the shooter using makeshift weapons or aggressive tactics if running and hiding are impossible. The goal is to incapacitate or deter the attacker. This last-resort measure is supported by DHS and FBI guidance.
Who should assume the initial incident command role when law enforcement first arrives at an active shooter scene?
The facility's security manager
The fire department chief
The first arriving law enforcement officer
A senior executive on site
Under the Incident Command System (ICS), the first officer on scene becomes the Incident Commander until a formal transfer of command occurs. This ensures a unified command structure. Proper ICS training helps streamline active shooter response.
Within the Incident Command System, which section is responsible for obtaining resources and supplies during an active shooter response?
Operations Section
Logistics Section
Finance/Administration Section
Planning Section
The Logistics Section in ICS acquires and distributes personnel, equipment, and supplies needed for the response. It supports operations by ensuring teams have what they need when they need it. Understanding ICS roles improves coordination during high-stress incidents.
What is the recommended action if you cannot find a secure hiding spot during an active shooter event?
Stand still and wait for the shooter to pass
Hide in a well-lit open area
Confront the shooter directly
Keep moving and create as much distance as possible while looking for an exit
If no secure hiding spot is available, moving away from the shooter maximizes distance and reduces your likelihood of being targeted. Continuously seek a safe exit or cover point. This principle is emphasized in federal preparedness drills.
Which factor is MOST important when choosing a hiding location during an active shooter incident?
Proximity to a window
Presence of overhead lighting
Ability to lock or barricade the entry point
Access to Wi-Fi
Locking or barricading the entry point prevents or delays the shooter from gaining access to your hiding spot. This additional barrier increases your safety until law enforcement arrives. Hiding behind unprotected doors offers little defense.
During a lockdown, which actions should be taken regarding room lighting and window coverings?
Dim lights but leave blinds open
Maintain normal lighting and window settings
Turn off lights and close blinds
Turn on lights and open blinds
Turning off lights and closing blinds reduces visibility into your location and makes it harder for a shooter to see inside. This increases concealment in enclosed areas. Many organizations include this step in their active shooter lockdown protocols.
What is the primary goal of 'Stop the Bleed' training in the context of active shooter incidents?
Teach law enforcement negotiation tactics
Train media on mass communication
Enable bystanders to control severe bleeding
Provide psychological counseling
'Stop the Bleed' empowers civilians to apply life-saving hemorrhage control techniques, such as direct pressure and tourniquet application. Quick intervention can dramatically reduce preventable deaths from severe bleeding. This program is endorsed by DHS and major trauma associations.
How often should organizations conduct active shooter drills to maintain preparedness?
Once every five years
Monthly
At least once a year
Only when onboarding new employees
Annual active shooter drills help reinforce procedures and allow participants to practice responses in a controlled environment. More frequent or scenario-based exercises may be beneficial depending on risk assessments. Federal guidelines recommend reviewing plans at least yearly.
Which communication method is preferred for alerting occupants during an active shooter to minimize confusion and ensure rapid dissemination?
Social media posts
Individual phone calls
Public address system announcements
Mass notification via text and email
Mass notification systems that send texts and emails can rapidly reach large groups with clear, pre-scripted instructions. This reduces delays and ensures consistent messaging. PA systems may not reach everyone and can cause panic if unclear.
Which of the following is a sign of pre-attack planning by a potential active shooter?
Purchasing weapons and ammunition in quantity
Engaging in daily exercise routines
Reading popular fiction
Volunteering at community events
Acquiring weapons and ammunitions, especially in unusual quantities, is a common indicator of pre-attack intent. Such behaviors, combined with other warning signs, should trigger early intervention. FBI active shooter research highlights this as a key red flag.
What is the recommended distance to maintain if you must move away from gunfire when running?
5 feet
200 yards
10 yards
50 feet
Putting as much distance as possible - ideally 200 yards or more - between you and the shooter reduces the likelihood of being hit. Greater distance makes accurate targeting by the shooter more difficult. Federal guidelines encourage maximizing separation quickly.
What is the primary function of the Public Information Officer (PIO) during an active shooter incident under ICS?
Oversee financial tracking of resources
Coordinate tactical entry teams
Manage logistics and supplies
Provide accurate information to media and public
The PIO is responsible for gathering, verifying, and releasing information to the media and public, ensuring consistent and accurate messaging. This role helps prevent misinformation and panic. Under ICS, the PIO works closely with command to maintain situational awareness.
Which tactical entry method focuses on quick, aggressive movement to engage an active shooter?
Stealth infiltration
Passive defense
Deliberate entry
Dynamic entry
Dynamic entry involves fast-paced, aggressive tactics to swiftly engage and neutralize the shooter. It prioritizes speed and surprise to reduce overall casualties. This method is commonly used by specialized law enforcement units.
In the context of ballistic trauma management, which intervention is prioritized for a patient with an extremity hemorrhage?
Wound irrigation and dressing
Intravenous fluid infusion
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
Tourniquet application
For life-threatening extremity bleeding, tourniquet application is the fastest and most effective way to control hemorrhage. Immediate hemorrhage control dramatically improves survival in trauma scenarios. This approach is endorsed by military and civilian trauma guidelines.
Which of the following pre-incident indicators may suggest an individual is planning an active shooting?
Conducting surveillance of potential targets
Regularly attending fitness classes
Volunteering publicly and frequently interacting with neighbors
Browsing travel websites
Surveillance of potential targets is a classic indicator of pre-attack planning. This behavior includes photographing, mapping layouts, and noting security procedures. Combined with other warning signs, it should trigger early intervention.
In ICS, what is the main purpose of the Planning Section during an active shooter response?
Develop action plans and maintain situational awareness
Obtain and distribute supplies
Handle media and public inquiries
Direct tactical operations
The Planning Section collects information, tracks resources, and develops the Incident Action Plan outlining response objectives. It ensures that all operational units work toward common goals. Accurate planning is critical in fast-moving active shooter scenarios.
What does the term 'hot zone' refer to in the context of law enforcement response to an active shooter?
Location of the incident command post
Area where medical treatment is provided
Zone immediately surrounding the shooter where threat is highest
Designated civilian assembly area
The 'hot zone' is the area where the shooter is actively engaging targets, and the risk of injury is highest. Law enforcement focuses on this area first to neutralize the threat. Understanding zone definitions improves responder safety.
Which material is most effective as improvised ballistic protection for civilians during an active shooter event?
Plastic folding table
Heavy metal desk
Glass window
Cardboard boxes
A heavy metal desk can stop or significantly slow down handgun rounds, offering improvised ballistic protection. Other materials like cardboard or plastic provide no meaningful defense. Choosing the best available barrier increases survivability.
Which of the following best describes the 'Counter' component of the ALICE protocol?
Informing others of the shooter's location
Pushing back on the shooter with aggressive improvised tactics
Negotiating with the shooter to de-escalate
Locking down and waiting silently
In ALICE, 'Counter' means using aggressive, proactive techniques - like throwing objects or creating distractions - to disrupt the shooter. This differs from passive lockdown methods. It buys time for survivors to escape or for law enforcement to arrive.
What is the initial law enforcement priority upon entering an active shooter scene?
Secure a perimeter and wait
Neutralize the shooter
Provide medical aid to the injured
Interview witnesses
Law enforcement's first priority is to locate and neutralize the shooter to stop ongoing violence. Once the threat is contained, officers shift to rescue and medical operations. This aggressive intervention model has reduced casualties in multiple incidents.
Which triage system is commonly used by first responders at mass casualty scenes involving active shooters?
START (Simple Triage and Rapid Treatment)
RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation)
SOAP (Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan)
ABC (Airway, Breathing, Circulation)
START triage rapidly categorizes victims based on breathing, perfusion, and mental status, allowing responders to prioritize care. It is widely adopted in mass casualty incidents. Quick triage improves overall outcome by focusing resources where they have the greatest impact.
How does the 'Counter' step in the ALICE protocol differ from traditional passive defense measures during an active shooter incident?
It relies on calling for help from a secure shelter
It focuses on proactive disruption of the shooter's actions
It is identical to passive lockdown procedures
It emphasizes waiting silently until law enforcement arrives
The 'Counter' step in ALICE empowers individuals to take proactive, aggressive actions - such as throwing objects or creating noise - to disrupt and disorient the shooter. This contrasts with passive lockdown methods that focus solely on hiding. By creating unpredictability, countermeasures can buy critical time for escape or law enforcement intervention.
In the Incident Command System, what unique responsibilities does the Safety Officer have during an active shooter operation?
Serve as the primary media spokesperson
Direct all tactical law enforcement teams
Monitor and assess hazardous conditions and stop unsafe actions
Coordinate all logistical support
The Safety Officer's role is to identify and mitigate hazards to responders and victims, ensuring operational safety. They have the authority to stop or modify unsafe activities. This oversight is critical in complex, rapidly evolving active shooter scenes.
What is the significance of the 'platinum 10 minutes' in trauma care for active shooter injuries, and what should responders focus on during this time?
It's the time window where immediate hemorrhage control can dramatically improve survival
It refers to the initial search for suspects
It's the period for debriefing survivors
It's primarily for coordinating media and public information
The 'platinum 10 minutes' refers to the critical window after injury when prompt hemorrhage control and airway management most impact survival. Responders should focus on rapid assessment, tourniquet application, and airway stabilization. Efficient action in this timeframe can significantly reduce mortality in mass casualty events.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand Active Shooter Protocols -

    Learn the key active shooter protocols and step-by-step procedures to follow during an incident, ensuring you can execute safety rules correctly under pressure.

  2. Apply Active Shooter Tactics -

    Gain practical insights into proven active shooter tactics, enabling you to implement effective defensive measures and tactical decision-making.

  3. Identify Shooting Safety Rules -

    Recognize and recall essential shooting safety rules to maintain safe handling of firearms and reduce risks in high-stress situations.

  4. Analyze Realistic Scenarios -

    Use scenario-based questions from our tactical shooting quiz to evaluate your instincts and improve situational awareness in simulated active shooter events.

  5. Assess Your Training Answers -

    Review your active shooter training answers with scored feedback, helping you pinpoint strengths and areas for improvement in your response strategies.

  6. Enhance Response Strategies -

    Develop and refine personalized response plans by integrating feedback on active shooter protocols and tactics to boost your readiness and confidence.

Cheat Sheet

  1. ALICE Mnemonic (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate) -

    The ALICE framework is recognized by DHS and provides a structured response. Training your mind with this mnemonic solidifies your active shooter training answers under stress: Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate. A simple phrase like "A Loud Intruder Creates Emergency" embeds the sequence in minutes.

  2. Avoid, Deny, Defend Strategy -

    The Avoid, Deny, Defend model from DHS teaches dynamic risk assessment and immediate decision-making. These active shooter tactics - run to safe egress when possible (Avoid), barricade entry points (Deny), and as a last resort distract or incapacitate the threat (Defend) - boost survival odds. This core strategy improves survival odds according to FBI 2018 data on incident timelines.

  3. Cover vs. Concealment in Tactical Movement -

    Understanding the difference between cover (bullet-resistant obstacles) and concealment (visual obstructions) is crucial. Academic research from the University of Maryland's Criminal Justice Department shows that proper use of cover can reduce hit probability by over 50%. Pair these movements with basic shooting safety rules - keep the muzzle downrange and finger off the trigger until clear - to maximize protection behind cover.

  4. Clear Communication Protocols -

    Following standardized protocols like SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation) within the Incident Command System improves clarity under stress. FEMA and the National Incident Management System endorse these frameworks in active shooter protocols to streamline team coordination. Practice concise radio phrases (e.g., "Active shooter, floor 2, North wing") during drills to enhance muscle memory.

  5. After-Action Review & Resilience -

    Conduct structured after-action reports within 24 - 72 hours, as recommended by FEMA and the International Association of Chiefs of Police. Integrating Psychological First Aid (PFA) and Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) bolsters long-term mental health resilience. Quiz yourself on lessons learned using sample questions from a tactical shooting quiz to reinforce continual improvement.

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