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Comprehensive Planning for Active Threat Incidents
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Comprehensive Planning for Active Threat Incidents

Preparing Communities for Immediate Action and Long-Term Recovery from Attacks

Patrick Van Horne's avatar
Patrick Van Horne
May 14, 2024
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Comprehensive Planning for Active Threat Incidents
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This article is for paid subscribers to the Left of Bang Academy. 


A mass shooting-style attack is one of the most challenging incidents for communities to prepare for. While the shooting itself is often over in minutes, the response and recovery can last for years. Consider the complexities involved:

  • Multi-Agency Involvement: High-profile attacks engage agencies at every level of government, with the lead agency often changing as the response progresses.

  • Media Attention: Such attacks draw significant media coverage, necessitating public statements and actions from elected leaders.

  • Long-Lasting Impact: Beyond immediate fatalities, many lives are irrevocably changed. Effective communication and ongoing family assistance are crucial to community recovery.

The Importance of Being “Left of Bang”

Public safety professionals must aim to prevent incidents when possible but also be prepared to respond to and recover from those that cannot be prevented. Recognizing the complexity of active threat incidents is truly essential for effective preparation and response.

When communities fail to prepare adequately, services to victims and their families suffer, organizational policies are forgotten, and relationships between the community and government leaders can break down. While preparation cannot eliminate all pain, it can minimize suffering by ensuring timely, thoughtful action.

Four Plans for Comprehensive Response

To respond effectively to active threat incidents, communities should develop four distinct plans that integrate seamlessly from the moment the first 911 call is received:

This article is for paid subscribers looking to prepare their communities and organizations to respond to and recover from disasters.

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