C3 Podcast: Active Shooter Incident Management

Back in 2018 we identified seven common misconceptions about Active Shooter Incident Management, ranging from excessive focus on neutralizing the threat to a lack of integration across disciplines. Today we will revisit these topics to assess our progress and identify areas that still need improvement. We will also examine new misconceptions that have emerged and discuss strategies to overcome the...

An active shooter event impacts not only the survivors but the entire community.  While reunification is a crucial part of the response process, on-going needs must be addressed for the community to recover. Engaging in conversations in advance can help us better manage the aftermath.   View this episode on YouTube at https://youtu.be/i2zyq53_SAo Like what you hear? Drop a review and subscribe to...

If you are one of the first arriving officers at an active shooter incident, you may have to step up as team leader.  You’ll be making critical decisions to accomplish the mission.  You can prepare for leadership, just as you prepare for entry – put yourself in the role and plan how you would handle it.   View this episode on YouTube at https://youtu.be/jHyK3HU5JKY Like what you hear? Drop a revie...

The Transport Group Supervisor is responsible for more than just calling ambulances and getting them to the scene.  In today’s episode we discuss the issues that arise when considering ambulance exchange points and transportation and the need for collaboration with tactical and triage.   View this episode on YouTube at https://youtu.be/GwRFhW7yHrg Like what you hear? Drop a review and subscribe to...

During an active shooter event, our primary focus is to stop the killing, but when the suspect is no longer actively killing people or preventing you from treating the wounded, sometimes negotiations need to begin – and that job may fall to the contact team. In today’s episode, the panel discusses safety priorities, situational awareness, best practices and more.   View this episode on YouTube at...

Not every Active Shooter event unfolds in the same way. When there’s a deviation from the norm, the potential for something to go wrong increases. Our response training needs to be adaptable and inventive to address diverse scenarios. In today’s episode our panel discusses the need for training in various types of scenarios to meet the main objective – stop the killing and stop the dying.   View t...

When resources are coming from multiple directions, sometimes communications fail.  Training for these failures, making a plan in advance, and finding solutions to these technology issues is critical to getting the information out and the mission on track.  Today’s episode looks at various ways to work around radio transmission issues.   View this episode on YouTube at https://youtu.be/chsPzNeR7a4...

In the aftermath of an active shooter incident, what can a civilian on the scene do to help?  In today’s podcast, our panel delves into the steps civilians can take to help first responders on the scene, from compliance and providing information, to offering first aid support.   View this episode on YouTube at https://youtu.be/MUpRVrjKdcg Like what you hear? Drop a review and subscribe to our Podc...

In an active shooter incident, a Rescue Task Force is a medical mission with a security component.  RTF1, the first through the door, bears additional responsibilities.  In today’s episode Tom Billington, Bill Godfrey, Kami Maertz, and Ron Otterbacher shine a light on both the fire and law enforcement duties of RTF1 and how they manage a casualty collection point, ambulance exchange point, and mor...

How do you know what products will help solve your problems?  When talking to security consultants how do you know what is right for you and your situation? How do you apply the right tool to the right environment? In today’s episode Bill Godfrey, Adam Pendley, and Billy Perry tackle these questions and more. View this episode on YouTube at https://youtu.be/Db5FD8Sy05o   Like what you hear? Drop a...

Reality doesn’t always unfold like our training.  It can be chaotic and confusing and can stall anywhere in the process.  Inaction can be contagious – but so can action.  Today Bill Godfrey, Adam Pendley, and Billy Perry discuss how training and leadership can get you back on track.    View this episode on YouTube at https://youtube.com/live/UTlGn8ozNAU Like what you hear? Drop a review and subscr...

The mission of an SRO is direct threat intervention. Today we speak with Billy Perry and his approach to training and preparation for officers, administration, teachers, parents, and most importantly, STUDENTS. When this type of event occurs a controlled, disciplined, and methodical response can be achieved without causing additional trauma – if you train for it in advance. View this episode on Yo...

In the typical scenario, Contact One has engaged the suspect, the shooting has ceased, yet time remains critical. It’s essential to secure the area, implement an immediate action plan, and attend to medical needs. This is where Contact Team Two plays a crucial role. In today’s discussion, Billy Perry and Adam Pendley emphasize the significance of Contact Team Two swiftly organizing and dividing ta...

The public doesn’t always have a full understanding of what is involved in handling an Active Shooter Event.  In today’s episode Bill Godfrey, Kami Maertz, Adam Pendley, and Mark Rhame debunk the top 5 misconceptions the public may hold regarding our response to these incidents. By establishing clear expectations and providing insights into our procedures, we can change public perception. View thi...

Most Active Shooter Events are not Mass Casualty Incidents, but when they are you need to have a plan in place to deal with those who self-evacuate. Bill Godfrey, Mark Rhame, Kami Maertz, and Adam Pendley discuss the strategies and logistics needed to deal with patients who might not be in the hot or warm zones.   View this episode on YouTube at https://youtube.com/live/5RRrzRpUm6o Like what you h...

Hard is hard for a reason – it doesn’t mean it’s not worth doing. Getting held back by tradition, management and others are often the reasons we fail to implement change.  Join Bill Godfrey, Adam Penley, Kami Maertz and Mark Rhame as they discuss these three common obstacles to changing policies and procedures and offer ideas and examples of how to overcome these challenges. View this episode on Y...

Patient distribution, security concerns, reunification, media handling and even parking can easily overwhelm a hospital during a mass casualty event.  Can we integrate our training and provide assistance? On this week’s podcast we’ll discuss how we, as Public Safety Officers, can assist our hospitals in the challenges they may encounter if faced with an active shooter incident.   View this episode...

90% of the time the active threat is over within 10 minutes.  In today’s episode we tackle the question of when is it time to stop searching for an unknown threat and when is it time to start focusing on medical?  When the bad actor has gone silent, it’s time to coordinate resources and stop the known bleeding.    Watch this episode on YouTube at https://youtube.com/live/_NVp91myDsk Like what you...

Join us today as we delve into the ins and outs of hosting the ASIM Advanced course, covering facility needs and logistics. Discover the value of this training, its participants, and the rewards it brings. Ready to seize this opportunity? Visit c3pathways.com training section to request DHS funding and submit your request!   Watch this episode on YouTube at https://youtube.com/live/VKrSyAIP2jg Lik...

Jill McElwee joins Bill Godfrey, Pete Kelting and Don Tuten in part two of the discussion on how and why to adapt to change. We’ll address some of the common reasons given as to why we can’t change including: That’s not the way we do it around here. We can’t get the other neighboring agencies to make the transition and do this as well. Everyone is on different radios (interoperability). Our fire d...

Today we start a discussion on why it’s important to train both sides and establish communication. Bill Godfrey, Pete Kelting and Don Tuten talk about the importance of joint training and building relationships prior to an incident.  While responder agencies tend to be somewhat isolated, being open to adjusting your training provides a skill set and confidence in the process that will allow you to...

Active Shooter Events can be chaotic and overwhelming, and things can go wrong.  In today’s episode, we’ll examine some of the common areas where problems occur and give you tips on how to recognize these, recover from them, and get back on track.  Spending 60 seconds fixing a problem now, can save you time in the long run.   Watch this episode on YouTube at https://youtube.com/live/n-fUku7qC9o Li...

Today we touch upon some common occurrences in Active Shooter Events where follow-on 911 calls report additional shooters in differently locations but in reality are not accurate. These calls -- though well intended -- often result in duplicate work, wasted resources, or over-response to a new location. Active Shooter Events have one shooter 97% of the time, but our training teaches the "plus one"...

This episode gives us unique insight to the minds of high school students on the topic of Active Shooter Events, what they think about preparedness and procedures schools follow, and discussion of surprisingly insightful tactical thoughts.  Ryan also shares a very up close and personal experience with an incident that happened to him at his school. It was a surprising revelation in the discussion...

A law enforcement listener asks : "Could you guys do a podcast about the naming of positions, particularly tactical? Our fire department has a big issue with the radio ID of tactical being used instead of the radio ID of command for that position until the cold zone command post is stood up and that title is transferred to the incident commander. I get why, but cannot seem to get the point across....