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P.J. Agness

Active Shooter incidents have become far too common. For most people, the thought of finding ourselves in a active shooter situation is terrifying and makes us feel powerless. However, there are ways to prepare against these horrible events and survive them if they do happen. This course goes far beyond the reactive Run, Hide, Fight program with a proactive approach to active shooter survival. This course will indeed cover your options to run, hide, or fight but, will also give you the situational awareness and threat assessment tools to stop these incidents before they ever happen. We'll take a statistics and research driven look at active shooter incidents and empower you as an individual to be prepared, be knowable about how to respond, and ultimately survive the unthinkable. Knowledge is power and you will become far more powerful towards saving your own life and the lives of others once this course is finished. Unlike other active shooter courses with difficult acronyms that won't help you under stress, this course is designed to be short, interesting, and easy to remember.  A long time protective intelligence and self-defense specialist, P.J. Agness has been researching active shooter situations for decades and has even been involved in a few (which were resolved without incident).

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What's inside

Syllabus

Active Shooter Response introduction and best practices
Introduction to Active Shooter Response and Survival
Students will better understand the profile of an active shooter and learn basic threat assessment skills
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Emphasizes proactive strategies and threat assessment skills, which empowers individuals to potentially prevent or mitigate active shooter situations before they escalate
Goes beyond the standard 'Run, Hide, Fight' approach, which provides a more comprehensive understanding of active shooter response and survival
Draws upon statistics and research, which grounds the course content in evidence-based practices and insights
Taught by a protective intelligence and self-defense specialist, which lends credibility and real-world experience to the course content
Focuses on easy-to-remember strategies, which ensures that learners can recall and apply the knowledge under stressful conditions
Requires learners to consider their options to run, hide, or fight, which may not be suitable for all individuals or in all situations

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Reviews summary

Practical active shooter survival strategies

According to learners, this course offers practical and potentially life-saving strategies for active shooter situations. Students particularly appreciate how it goes beyond the basic Run, Hide, Fight model, introducing situational awareness and threat assessment. The instructor's clear delivery and expertise are frequently mentioned as positive aspects, making the content easy to understand and remember, which is crucial for stressful situations. While the topic is inherently serious, many feel the course provides a sense of empowerment and preparedness. A few notes suggest it serves as an excellent introduction but could benefit from exploring certain tactics in greater depth.
Serves as a solid foundation.
"This is a great starting point for understanding active shooter response."
"Provides a solid basic understanding of the subject."
"Good foundational knowledge, especially on proactive measures."
Increases confidence and sense of preparedness.
"Left me feeling more confident in my ability to react."
"I feel significantly more empowered and less helpless after completing this course."
"It provided me with knowledge that makes me feel better prepared should the unthinkable happen."
"This course shifts the mindset from fear to preparedness."
Content is easy to understand and remember.
"The course is short, easy to understand, and the key points are memorable."
"The explanations are clear, and the lack of complicated acronyms is a plus."
"Very well-structured and easy to follow, even for someone with no prior knowledge."
"The information is delivered in a straightforward manner."
Expert instructor delivers content clearly.
"The instructor was very knowledgeable and presented the information clearly and calmly, despite the heavy topic."
"P.J. Agness's experience really shines through, making the lessons credible and engaging."
"Excellent instructor with a clear understanding of the subject matter."
"The delivery made complex information easy to grasp."
Provides actionable advice for real-world scenarios.
"The information provided is very practical and gives you actionable steps you can take."
"I feel much more prepared after taking this course. The strategies are easy to remember and apply."
"This course offered realistic steps that I can use to protect myself and others."
"Great information that can be applied immediately in various settings."
Expands on standard Run, Hide, Fight guidance.
"I appreciated that it went beyond the standard 'run, hide, fight' and included proactive strategies."
"The focus on situational awareness and threat assessment was particularly helpful and sets this course apart."
"It covers the basic RHF but adds crucial layers of understanding how to prevent or mitigate incidents."
"Finally a course that teaches more than just the basic government recommendations."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Active Shooter Response and Survival with these activities:
Review Threat Assessment Principles
Reinforce your understanding of threat assessment principles to better identify potential risks before an active shooter event occurs.
Browse courses on Threat Assessment
Show steps
  • Review materials on threat assessment methodologies.
  • Practice identifying potential threats in simulated scenarios.
Review 'The Gift of Fear'
Enhance your understanding of pre-incident indicators and trust your intuition to improve your proactive threat assessment skills.
View Melania on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read the book and take notes on key concepts.
  • Reflect on how these concepts apply to active shooter scenarios.
Develop an Emergency Action Plan
Solidify your understanding of response strategies by creating a personalized emergency action plan for different environments.
Show steps
  • Assess potential risks in your home, workplace, or school.
  • Outline specific actions to take in an active shooter situation.
  • Share your plan with family, friends, or colleagues.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Simulate Run, Hide, Fight Scenarios
Reinforce your ability to react effectively under pressure by practicing Run, Hide, Fight techniques in simulated scenarios.
Show steps
  • Set up realistic scenarios in a safe environment.
  • Practice each response option (Run, Hide, Fight) under simulated stress.
  • Evaluate your performance and identify areas for improvement.
Review 'Left of Bang'
Deepen your understanding of proactive threat detection by studying the principles of the Marine Corps' Combat Hunter program.
Show steps
  • Read the book and take notes on key observation and profiling techniques.
  • Practice applying these techniques in public settings.
Volunteer for Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
Apply your knowledge and skills in a real-world setting by volunteering with a CERT team to assist in emergency preparedness and response efforts.
Show steps
  • Research and join a local CERT team.
  • Participate in training exercises and community events.
  • Assist in emergency response efforts as needed.
Presentation on Active Shooter Prevention
Solidify your understanding and share your knowledge by creating and delivering a presentation on active shooter prevention strategies.
Show steps
  • Research and compile information on active shooter prevention.
  • Develop a presentation outline and create visual aids.
  • Practice your presentation and deliver it to a group.

Career center

Learners who complete Active Shooter Response and Survival will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
School Resource Officer
A school resource officer works within a school environment to provide security and build relationships with students and staff. This course helps build a foundation for effective active shooter response and survival. School resource officers who wish to improve their security will find the material on proactive prevention, threat assessment, and the 'Run, Hide, Fight' framework invaluable. The course's statistics and research-driven approach provides a comprehensive understanding of active shooter incidents. The coverage of situational awareness and proactive measures helps school resource officers in preventing incidents. The insights into response options like running, hiding, and fighting helps officers formulate effective security plans and empower school resource officers to maintain secure learning environments.
Law Enforcement Officer
A law enforcement officer's duties include maintaining order, enforcing laws, and protecting citizens. This course helps build a foundation to better respond to active shooter situations. Law enforcement officers may find the course material useful for understanding active shooter profiles, proactive prevention measures, and effective response tactics. The course's emphasis on proactive strategies, coupled with insights into the 'Run, Hide, Fight' framework, equips officers with valuable tools for handling these critical events. The material on threat assessment and situational awareness will improve officers' ability to anticipate and neutralize dangerous situations. The section on being one's 'Own First Responder' will help law enforcement officers make quick decisions in crisis. The course will empower law enforcement officers to protect communities.
Personal Protection Specialist
A personal protection specialist, also known as a bodyguard, ensures the safety of individuals. This course helps build a strong foundation in proactive active shooter response and survival. Personal protection specialists may find the course material useful for understanding active shooter profiles, proactive prevention measures, and effective response measures. The course's emphasis on proactive strategies and its exploration of the 'Run, Hide, Fight' framework equip specialists with valuable tools for handling critical events. The material on threat assessment and situational awareness will improve specialists' ability to anticipate and neutralize dangerous situations. The course will empower personal protection specialists to protect clients.
Corporate Security Manager
A corporate security manager is responsible for the safety and security of a company's employees, assets, and information. This course helps build a foundation in proactive active shooter response and survival. Corporate security managers should understand the importance of threat assessment and situational awareness in preventing and responding to active shooter incidents. The course's emphasis on a proactive approach and its exploration of the 'Run, Hide, Fight' framework equip managers with practical strategies for improving workplace safety. The course covers active shooter profiles and strategies to refine threat assessments and prepare comprehensive plans. The 'Be Your Own First Responder' material will strengthen an organization's overall security measures. The course will empower corporate security managers to contribute to a safer work environment.
Emergency Management Specialist
An emergency management specialist prepares for and responds to disasters and emergencies. This course helps build a foundation in proactive active shooter response. The emergency management specialist should understand the importance of threat assessment and situational awareness in these events. The course's emphasis on proactive strategies and its exploration of the 'Run, Hide, Fight' framework equip specialists with valuable tools for developing comprehensive emergency plans. The course's statistics and research-driven approach provides a thorough understanding of active shooter incidents, giving specialists the knowledge. The insights into response options will refine preparedness drills and empower emergency management specialists to save lives.
Safety Manager
A safety manager develops and implements safety programs in organizations. This course helps build a foundation in understanding proactive active shooter response and survival. The safety manager should understand the importance of threat assessment and situational awareness in preventing and responding to active shooter incidents. The course's emphasis on proactive strategies, coupled with its exploration of the 'Run, Hide, Fight' framework, equips managers with practical strategies for improving workplace safety. The course's statistics and research-driven approach provides a thorough understanding of active shooter incidents. The insights into response options like running, hiding, and fighting contribute to the development of safety protocols. The course will empower safety managers to create safer environments.
Security Consultant
A security consultant assesses risks and vulnerabilities in various environments, developing and implementing security plans. This course helps build a foundation in understanding active shooter incidents, their profiles, and threat assessment. Security consultants may find the course material useful for proactively preventing victimization and implementing effective response strategies, ultimately enhancing their ability to protect clients. The course's proactive approach to active shooter survival, going beyond the reactive 'Run, Hide, Fight' framework, equips security consultants with valuable situational awareness and threat assessment tools. The insights into active shooter profiles and strategies will refine threat assessments and contribute to comprehensive security protocols. Understanding response options like running, hiding, and fighting helps consultants develop effective evacuation and defense plans. The course will empower security consultants to save lives.
Intelligence Analyst
An intelligence analyst gathers and analyzes information to identify potential threats and provide actionable insights. This course helps build a foundation to understand active shooter incidents. Aspiring intelligence analysts should understand the importance of threat assessment and situational awareness in preventing and responding to these critical incidents. The course's emphasis on proactive strategies and its exploration of the 'Run, Hide, Fight' framework equip analysts with a structured approach to understanding active shooter events. The course's statistics and research-driven approach provides a thorough understanding of active shooter incidents and profiles, which is useful in predicting and preventing future events. This course will empower intelligence analysts.
Risk Manager
A risk manager identifies and assesses potential threats to an organization, developing mitigation strategies. This course helps build a foundation to better understand active shooter events. Risk managers should understand the importance of threat assessment and situational awareness in anticipating and responding to these critical incidents. The course's emphasis on proactive strategies and its exploration of the 'Run, Hide, Fight' framework equip managers with valuable tools for developing comprehensive risk management plans. The course's statistics and research-driven approach gives a thorough understanding of active shooter incidents. The knowledge of response options will contribute to risk mitigation. This course will empower risk managers to develop resilience.
Building Manager
Building managers oversee the operation and maintenance of commercial or residential properties. This course helps building managers with active shooter response and survival. Building managers should understand the importance of threat assessment and situational awareness in preventing and responding to these critical incidents. The course's emphasis on proactive strategies and its exploration of the 'Run, Hide, Fight' framework equips managers with tools for developing plans. The course's statistics and research-driven approach provides a thorough understanding of active shooter incidents. The knowledge of response options contributes to the development of emergency protocols. The course empowers building managers to create safer environments.
Loss Prevention Specialist
Loss prevention specialists work to prevent theft and minimize losses in retail environments. This course helps build a foundation in proactive active shooter response and survival. Loss prevention specialists may find the material useful in understanding active shooter profiles, proactive prevention measures, and effective response measures. The course's emphasis on proactive strategies and its exploration of the 'Run, Hide, Fight' framework will equip specialists with valuable tools for handling incidents. The material on threat assessment and situational awareness will improve specialists' ability to anticipate and neutralize dangerous situations. The course will empower loss prevention specialists.
Security Guard
Security guards maintain safe and secure environments. This course helps build a foundation in proactive active shooter response and survival. Security guards should understand the importance of threat assessment in preventing and responding to active shooter incidents. The course's emphasis on proactive strategies and its exploration of the 'Run, Hide, Fight' framework equip security guards with practical tactics. The course's statistics and research-driven approach provides a solid understanding of active shooter incidents, helping security guards make informed decisions during crisis situations. The material on situational awareness and threat identification will improve their ability to anticipate dangers. The knowledge of running, hiding, and fighting will contribute to quick responses. This course may empower security guards to save lives and protect properties.
Private Investigator
Private investigators conduct investigations for various legal, financial, and personal matters. This course helps build a foundation in proactive active shooter response and survival. Private investigators may find the course material useful for understanding active shooter threat assessment and situational awareness. The course's emphasis on proactive strategies and its exploration of the 'Run, Hide, Fight' framework equip investigators with skills. The material on threat assessment will improve investigators' ability to anticipate or investigate active shooter scenarios. The course will empower private investigators.
Emergency Medical Technician
Emergency medical technicians provide medical assistance in emergency situations. Emergency medical technicians may find the course material useful for understanding active shooter situational awareness and proactive measures. The course may help an EMT learn how to implement the run, hide, fight method to provide additional assistance. The EMT helps patients with medical emergencies, and their knowledge from the course will help them better understand how to react and to respond to active shooter survival situations. The awareness of the need to run, hide, and fight will encourage EMTs in their work. The course will encourage emergency medical technicians to save lives.
Firefighter
Firefighters respond to fires, medical emergencies, and other hazardous situations to protect lives and property. This course may be useful as it helps build a foundation in understanding active shooter response and survival. Firefighters should understand the importance of threat assessment and situational awareness in preventing and responding to these critical incidents. The course's emphasis on proactive strategies and its exploration of the 'Run, Hide, Fight' framework may equip firefighters with additional tools for evaluating high-risk environments. The material on situational awareness and threat assessment can help firefighters stay better prepared. The course will encourage firefighters in saving lives and protecting communities.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Active Shooter Response and Survival.
Details the Marine Corps' Combat Hunter program, focusing on observation, profiling, and threat detection. It provides practical techniques for enhancing situational awareness and identifying potential threats before they materialize. This book complements the course by offering a structured approach to proactive threat assessment, enabling students to apply these skills in various real-world scenarios.

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