ALICE Alert Protocols 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In ALICE training, who is authorized to initiate an alert during an active threat event?
- Only law enforcement officers on scene
- Only the principal or building administrator
- Anyone who has information about the threat (Correct answer)
- Only designated safety team members
Correct answer: Anyone who has information about the threat
ALICE empowers anyone with threat information to initiate an alert, removing the bottleneck of waiting for a single authority.
Question 2: Which communication method is considered LEAST reliable for delivering an ALICE alert during a power outage?
- Battery-powered PA systems
- Text message blasts
- Electric intercoms dependent on building power (Correct answer)
- Verbal runner notifications
Correct answer: Electric intercoms dependent on building power
Electric intercoms that rely on building power will fail during an outage, making them the least reliable in that scenario.
Question 3: When crafting an alert message, ALICE recommends including which piece of information FIRST?
- Evacuation route details
- The specific location of the threat (Correct answer)
- Instructions to call 911
- The name of the person initiating the alert
Correct answer: The specific location of the threat
Specific location of the threat is the most actionable piece of information and should be communicated first so people can make informed decisions.
Question 4: A teacher hears gunshots but cannot see the shooter. What is the BEST initial alert action?
- Wait for an official announcement before doing anything
- Immediately announce the location of the shots heard over any available channel (Correct answer)
- Quietly tell only adjacent classrooms
- Call the front office and wait on hold
Correct answer: Immediately announce the location of the shots heard over any available channel
Quickly broadcasting the approximate location of gunshots allows others to make real-time decisions even without perfect information.
Question 5: ALICE alert language is designed to be specific rather than coded because:
- Coded language is legally prohibited in schools
- Specific language reduces confusion and enables faster decision-making (Correct answer)
- Codes require expensive training programs
- Law enforcement prefers plain language on recordings
Correct answer: Specific language reduces confusion and enables faster decision-making
Coded alerts (e.g., 'Code Red') can be misunderstood or unknown to substitutes, visitors, and new staff, whereas specific language is universally clear.
Question 6: Which scenario represents an appropriate use of a secondary alert channel in ALICE?
- Using the PA system to play music after the threat is resolved
- Sending a text alert to staff when the PA system has been compromised (Correct answer)
- Using social media to post real-time threat updates publicly
- Alerting only the cafeteria via PA while ignoring other zones
Correct answer: Sending a text alert to staff when the PA system has been compromised
Secondary channels like text alerts ensure the alert reaches everyone if the primary system is unavailable or compromised.
Question 7: How does ALICE recommend handling a situation where the threat location is unknown at the time of the initial alert?
- Delay the alert until location is confirmed
- Issue an alert with the best available information and update as details emerge (Correct answer)
- Only alert the area closest to the last known threat
- Cancel the alert to avoid panic
Correct answer: Issue an alert with the best available information and update as details emerge
ALICE prioritizes getting information out quickly and updating continuously rather than waiting for complete certainty.
ALICE Alert Protocols 2
In ALICE training, who is authorized to initiate an alert during an active threat event?