ALICE Communication 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During an active threat event, what is the primary purpose of the 'Inform' component of ALICE?
- To remain silent so as not to alert the threat
- To provide real-time, ongoing information to occupants and first responders (Correct answer)
- To inform only administrators after the event is over
- To send a single all-clear message once police arrive
Correct answer: To provide real-time, ongoing information to occupants and first responders
The Inform step involves continuously broadcasting real-time information about the threat's location and actions to help everyone make better survival decisions.
Question 2: Which type of announcement is considered most effective for communicating threat information during an active shooter event?
- A coded announcement that only trained staff understand
- A plain-language announcement describing the threat's location and actions (Correct answer)
- A silent text-only alert to avoid panic
- A pre-recorded generic lockdown message
Correct answer: A plain-language announcement describing the threat's location and actions
Plain-language announcements give occupants actionable information rather than vague codes that delay understanding and response.
Question 3: When communicating via PA system during an active threat, which detail is MOST critical to include?
- The number of officers responding
- The last known location of the threat (Correct answer)
- The identity of the person making the announcement
- The time the alert was first activated
Correct answer: The last known location of the threat
Knowing the threat's last known location allows occupants to make informed decisions about evacuation routes or shelter options.
Question 4: A staff member sees a threat moving toward the east wing. According to ALICE Inform principles, what should she do?
- Wait for police to arrive before saying anything
- Immediately announce the threat's location and direction of travel over the PA (Correct answer)
- Call only the principal and let leadership decide what to share
- Text a single colleague to pass the word quietly
Correct answer: Immediately announce the threat's location and direction of travel over the PA
ALICE empowers anyone with threat information to broadcast it immediately so all occupants can act accordingly.
Question 5: How does proactive communication during an active threat event compare to traditional lockdown-only protocols?
- It creates more panic and is less effective
- It empowers occupants with information to make better survival decisions (Correct answer)
- It is only useful for trained security personnel
- It delays police response by clogging radio channels
Correct answer: It empowers occupants with information to make better survival decisions
ALICE research shows that informed occupants who know a threat's location can choose more effective survival options than those kept in the dark.
Question 6: Which communication tool is typically given HIGHEST priority for initial threat notification in a large building under ALICE?
- Individual cell phone texts
- The building's public address (PA) system (Correct answer)
- Social media posts
- Door-to-door verbal relay
Correct answer: The building's public address (PA) system
The PA system reaches the entire building simultaneously, making it the fastest way to notify all occupants at once.
Question 7: After communicating a threat via PA, what follow-up communication action does ALICE recommend?
- Go silent to avoid giving the threat any information
- Continue to provide updated location and status information as it becomes available (Correct answer)
- Hand off all communication duties solely to 911 dispatch
- Announce only when the threat has been neutralized
Correct answer: Continue to provide updated location and status information as it becomes available
Ongoing updates keep occupants informed as the situation evolves, allowing them to adjust their responses dynamically.
ALICE Communication 2
During an active threat event, what is the primary purpose of the 'Inform' component of ALICE?