The Probability of Active Shooter Events

Unsure about implementing active assailant training?

Is it worth training for an event that might never happen?

While your risk may seem low, risk shouldn’t be calculated based just on the probability of an event. It’s more properly defined as a combination of probability, vulnerability, and consequences.

It’s true that the probability of an active shooter event happening to you is low, however, active shooter events are increasing each year. There were 611 mass shootings in 2020. There have been 652 mass shootings in 2021 so far according to the Gun Violence Archive, and with one more month remaining in the year, this number will likely increase. Even the lockdown of 2020 didn’t slow this rising trend. According to SHRM, “Despite the initial lockdown response to COVID-19, the number of active shooter incidents rose 20 percent in 2020, and it is already 20 percent higher in 2021. The growing number of attacks continues a disturbing and dangerous decades-long upward trend.” So, while your probability of an active shooter in your workplace may be low, it is rising.

Learn more about active assailant online training and risk.

Superior Active Assailant Online Training

Typical stand-up training fails to reach everyone, and the learning isn’t documented. TPOP’s “Think and Survive” active assailant online training can be taken anywhere, anytime, on any internet enabled device, and your employees’ progress is documented and tracked. Topics include situational awareness, de-escalation techniques, Run, Hide, Fight, response to injury and more. Taught by subject matter experts such as nationally recognized safety and security veterans, including former officials from the DHS, FBI, law enforcement, SWAT, behavioral psychologists, and trauma EMTs, the course contains small videos with quizzes at the end of each section to ensure comprehension.

Let’s talk about preparedness and your organization’s risk. Contact TPOP today.

How Vulnerable Are You?

What is the true measure of risk for an active shooter event?

Are you considered especially vulnerable?

Risk isn’t just about probability. Risk= probability x vulnerability x consequences.

In terms of vulnerability, there are many "soft targets" that are vulnerable to an attack. The active assailant’s goal is to kill as many people as possible in the shortest amount of time. Their prime targets are less secure places with large numbers of people. These include workplaces open to the public and public spaces, such as retail stores, entertainment venues, restaurants, and houses of worship.

Here are some stats from the FBI’s 2000-2019 Active Shooter Report:

• Out of a total of 333 active shooter events examined in the last 20 years, 96 were at businesses open to the public
• 44 occurred at schools
• 36 at retail locations
• 14 at restaurants
• 15 at houses of worship

If you’re wondering about your potential vulnerability, ask yourself, do you work in or patronize any environment like retail stores, restaurants, grocery stores, theaters, performing arts venues or any mass gathering?  If you answered “yes,” you may be vulnerable and at greater risk.

Learn how active assailant online training can help decrease your risk.

Superior Active Assailant Online Training

Typical stand-up training fails to reach everyone, and the learning isn’t documented. TPOP’s “Think and Survive” active assailant online training can be taken anywhere, anytime, on any internet enabled device, and your employees’ progress is documented and tracked. Topics include situational awareness, de-escalation techniques, Run, Hide, Fight, response to injury and more. Taught by subject matter experts such as nationally recognized safety and security veterans, including former officials from the DHS, FBI, law enforcement, SWAT, behavioral psychologists, and trauma EMTs, the course contains small videos with quizzes at the end of each section to ensure comprehension.

Let’s talk about preparedness and your organization’s risk. Contact TPOP today.