Educational, worship, healthcare, government and workplace facilities are facing a growing crisis across the United States of America. An estimated 3 million children in the U.S. are exposed to shootings per year. In 2021 there were at least 202 incidents of gunfire on school grounds, resulting in 49 deaths and 126 injuries nationally, and the numbers continue to rise.

The U.S. standard for active shooter response since 2012 is “Run, Hide, Fight”, developed in the aftermath of the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre. A growing volume of anecdotal evidence reveals that schools’ “Run, Hide, Fight” drills focus primarily on the lockdown and hide aspects. As a result the practice too often places students and faculty at far greater risk of a fatal outcome.

The critical elements absent within the “Run, Hide, Fight” (RHF) response are thinking and acting, tactically and critically. An individual’s best chance of survival is to evacuate if possible while being prepared and willing to fight.  

While TSS continues to train under RHF, ALICE, and ALERRT, the implementation of our civilian model “Observe, Flee, Fight”. (OFF), is presently our company standard. This strategy encourages critical thinking by removing “run” from the onset. During a moment of crisis we must not concede to the sympathetic nervous system response of fight, flight, or freeze. We must encourage victims to quickly determine the best response given the circumstances. OFF provides for a circumstantial reaction to different possible scenarios and is significantly easier to teach as well as considerably more effective at saving life. For more information on this system and our armed security services, please contact us here.