With the recent launch of Cleary Zimmermann’s IT/Security Division, the spotlight is on one of the most sought-after security systems in the K-12 and higher education sectors: Active Shooter Control/Response. Jaime Katz, the Director of IT/Security, provides insights into the traditional approaches to active shooter control and the future direction of the industry. This discussion explores the two main types of systems and highlights the top five considerations for clients and owners when selecting an Active Shooter Response System.
What is Active Shooter Control?
Active Shooter Control is the response to an active shooter, who, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) (1), is one or more individuals actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a populated area. Active Shooter Control and its different systems became more widespread after incidents such as Columbine and Sandy Hook, though some systems have been present on campuses as early as the 1980s.
What IT/Security Systems Are Used in Active Shooter Control?
There are two main systems that firms who provide IT/Security system design use for Active Shooter Control:
- Emergency Blue Light System – Originally created in the 1990s as a response to the assault and murder of Jeanne Clery at Lehigh University, emergency blue light systems began appearing on college campuses around the country. These emergency systems directly responded to the Clery Act, which required colleges and universities to report campus crime data, support victims of violence, and publicly outline the policies and procedures they have put into place to improve campus safety (2). These dedicated alarm systems are located throughout the campus and can assist anyone in distress (3). These systems are a type of notification system (critical in active shooter scenarios) that can be used for all types of emergencies, not just for active shooters. These systems can be used for medical emergencies and if someone overall feels unsafe These systems can consist of a large blue tower with a phone or button that will alert campus police of an incident occurring, and they will respond to the distress call immediately.
- Active Shooter Response System – An Active Shooter Response System is a notification and safety protocol system that campuses (both K-12 and higher ed) use to communicate the threat/reality of an active shooter. Each institution has a different set of protocols, but overall, all response systems have the primary strategy recommended by the Department of Homeland Security, which is Run, Hide, or Fight. The Active Shooter Response System is a supplement to the active threat training program (1) and is designed to alert designated employees and emergency services of a threat and gives them tools to get as many people out as safely as possible.
Both systems are mass notification systems intended to alert the public and/or emergency personnel of a safety situation.
Top Five Priorities for IT/Security Professionals in Active Shooter Response Systems
Active Shooter Response Systems are specifically designed to address the unique threats posed by active shooters rather than general emergencies. Jaime Katz identified five essential characteristics that are crucial when implementing these IT/Security systems for clients. These characteristics ensure that the systems are effective, reliable, and tailored to meet the specific needs of educational institutions.
- Mass Notification — When time is of the essence, mass notification is critical. Mass Notification is critical when time is of the essence. When installing an IT/Security system, it is essential that once a threat is detected, the appropriate individuals are promptly alerted. These systems typically include lights, sound, intercoms, and pre-recorded messages with instructions and warnings.
- Emergency Service Notification – Like mass notification, emergency service notification alerts emergency services (Police, EMTs, Fire Department) of the situation after the emergency has been identified. Emergency service notification can take a variety of forms, including a blue light system, a button on campus, or manual 911 call).
- Safety Zone and Lockdown Areas – A crucial aspect of IT/Security planning involves determining how to secure the building and where individuals should go in the event of a shooter. This may involve evacuating to a safe location or moving to a secure room with no windows and a lockable door. Our IT/Security system approach includes identifying these areas and ensuring the appropriate systems are in place.
- Escape Routes — Escape routes, or egress paths, are crucial inactive shooter scenarios. When designing these routes, it is important to include multiple alarms or emergency blue light systems around the campus. These systems help pinpoint the shooter’s location and notify emergency services of the threat and its exact position. This could also help determine the safest escape points based on where the notifications are sent from.
- Emergency Mitigation Equipment – A common trend is the use of emergency mitigation equipment accessible only to authorized personnel through a guarded system. Usually, this includes lockable vaults containing self-defense tools such as bear spray, pepper spray, and knives. For obvious reasons, these defense tools must be securely stored and only accessible only to authorized individuals, but they should be easily reachable in case of an emergency.
While these are our top five priorities when designing an IT/Security system, Jaime and the Cleary Zimmermann team are committed to continually evolving our approach to active shooter scenarios to best meet the needs of individual clients. As threats and tactics change, so will our strategies and designs.
Sources Cited:
Sweeney, Kristen. “The Clery Act.” Clery Center, www.clerycenter.org/the-clery-act. Accessed 27 Jan. 2025.
“Active Shooter Safety Resources | Federal Bureau of Investigation.” FBI Active Shooter Safety Resources, www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/safety-resources/active-shooter-safety-resources. Accessed 27 Jan. 2025.
“Blue Lights.” Blue Lights – Department of Public Safety – Syracuse University, dps.syr.edu/public-information/blue-lights/. Accessed 27 Jan. 2025.
