ALICE Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield ALICE facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. When should an ALICE alert be canceled or given an 'all-clear'? → After law enforcement has secured the scene and confirmed the threat has been neutralized
2. What does the 'Inform' component of ALICE training emphasize? → Providing real-time, specific information about the threat to help people make decisions
3. When applying ALICE in a house of worship, which factor is most important to address in the adaptation of the evacuation component? → Large open spaces, multiple exits, and congregation members unfamiliar with the layout
4. When an organization wants to implement ALICE training, what is the recommended FIRST step? → Send staff to an ALICE instructor certification course
5. Which organization is the primary certifying body that grants official ALICE Training certification to instructors? → ALICE Training Institute
6. Which ALICE option is most directly informed by real-time situational awareness gathered during an active event? → Inform
7. How does ALICE recommend handling a situation where the threat location is unknown at the time of the initial alert? → Issue an alert with the best available information and update as details emerge
8. Why does ALICE training discourage using coded language (e.g., 'Code Red') for threat announcements? → Coded language may not be understood by all occupants, visitors, or substitutes
9. What is the main objective of a post-incident 'After-Action Review' (AAR) in ALICE-trained organizations? → To identify what worked, what didn't, and how to improve future responses
10. In ALICE curriculum, what is the significance of the 'Options-Based' approach compared to a prescriptive mandate? → It gives individuals decision-making authority based on their proximity and information
11. Which outcome of ALICE training most directly benefits communities with diverse populations, such as non-English speakers? → ALICE's options-based approach can be adapted and trained in multiple languages
12. Which U.S. federal law most directly supports schools adopting proactive response protocols like ALICE? → The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
13. When law enforcement arrives during or after a Counter event, what should individuals do to avoid being mistaken for a threat? → Drop any weapons, raise hands, follow instructions, and avoid sudden movements
14. Why is it important to move toward the shooter's weapon arm rather than body center during a Counter attempt? → Controlling the weapon arm prevents the shooter from firing during the struggle
15. How does documentation support quality in Recovery Ops? → It creates records, ensures consistency, and enables improvement
16. During the ALICE Inform component training, what type of language is emphasized when broadcasting a threat? → Calm, specific, and actionable language
17. Which ALICE module addresses the psychological aftermath and recovery following a violent incident? → Post-Incident Response Module
18. How should staff communicate with students in a room that is counter-barricading against a threat? → Use calm, quiet, and direct instructions to minimize noise and maintain focus
19. What is the recommended sequence for notifying stakeholders after an active threat incident? → Law Enforcement → Staff → Parents → Media
20. During an evacuation, a teacher encounters first responders in the hallway. What communication action is recommended? → Keep hands visible and quickly report the threat's last known location to officers
21. Which best describes the ALICE concept of 'layered alerts'? → Delivering alerts through multiple channels simultaneously to maximize reach
22. Which of the following alert message elements helps occupants distinguish an ALICE drill from a real event? → Using the word 'drill' explicitly in drill announcements
23. A fire alarm sounds during an active threat scenario. ALICE recommends that occupants: → Use situational awareness — evacuating may be dangerous if it exposes them to the threat
24. How does ALICE's Counter strategy differ from traditional 'lockdown-only' school safety approaches? → ALICE empowers individuals to actively respond rather than remain passive
25. How does ALICE training benefit an organization's emergency planning process beyond the training itself? → It prompts organizations to review, update, and integrate safety plans across departments
26. Which of the following is an example of using the 'Inform' principle to support evacuation? → Broadcast the threat's location via intercom so others can choose to evacuate
27. An ALICE instructor certification candidate must demonstrate competency in which core area to pass the course? → Ability to teach all five ALICE options and facilitate practical exercises
28. Why do many school districts require parental notification before conducting ALICE drills with students? → To address potential psychological impact and maintain transparency with families
29. During an active threat event, what is the primary purpose of the 'Inform' component of ALICE? → To provide real-time, ongoing information to occupants and first responders
30. In applying ALICE to a large corporation, which group should receive training BEFORE general employees to ensure program fidelity? → Security and leadership teams first