SRO Active Shooter Response 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does the acronym 'ALERRT' stand for in the context of active shooter training?
- Armed Law Enforcement Response and Rapid Tactics
- Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (Correct answer)
- Active Law Enforcement Response and Rescue Techniques
- Alert, Lock, Evacuate, Respond, Recover, and Treat
Correct answer: Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training
ALERRT (Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training) is the national standard for active shooter response taught to law enforcement.
Question 2: During a school lockdown, a teacher reports via intercom that a student is injured and bleeding heavily inside a locked classroom. What is the recommended action?
- Instruct the teacher to apply pressure and await the all-clear
- Dispatch a rescue team to the classroom while the contact team continues clearing (Correct answer)
- Unlock all classroom doors to allow EMS entry immediately
- Evacuate that wing of the building first before clearing the threat
Correct answer: Dispatch a rescue team to the classroom while the contact team continues clearing
Rescue teams handle casualties while the contact team remains focused on stopping the active threat.
Question 3: Which body position offers the most protection when moving through an open hallway toward a threat?
- Standing upright to maximize field of vision
- Low crouch with weapon at low-ready position
- Bladed stance hugging one wall (Correct answer)
- Prone position with weapon raised
Correct answer: Bladed stance hugging one wall
A bladed stance against a wall minimizes exposure while maintaining mobility and a clear line of sight.
Question 4: What is the purpose of the 'warm zone' established during an active shooter incident?
- A safe area where students and staff are evacuated to
- An area where law enforcement and EMS can stage and treat casualties closer to the threat (Correct answer)
- The perimeter established by the first arriving officer
- The designated command post for incident commanders
Correct answer: An area where law enforcement and EMS can stage and treat casualties closer to the threat
The warm zone is a tactically safer area — not fully secure — where rescue task forces can treat the wounded without being in direct danger.
Question 5: A student runs toward the SRO screaming during an active shooter event. How should the officer handle the student?
- Stop, conduct a quick pat-down, and send the student toward the exit
- Shield the student with your body and escort them out of the danger area
- Point toward the exit and continue advancing toward the threat (Correct answer)
- Detain the student until the scene is secure
Correct answer: Point toward the exit and continue advancing toward the threat
The contact team cannot stop to manage individuals; officers must direct fleeing persons toward safety and continue the mission.
Question 6: Which of the following is a recognized sign of a potential active shooter planning to attack a school?
- A sudden increase in student absences
- A student making specific threats, acquiring weapons, or giving away personal possessions (Correct answer)
- A student who frequently challenges school authority figures
- Social media posts expressing general dissatisfaction with school
Correct answer: A student making specific threats, acquiring weapons, or giving away personal possessions
Behavioral threat assessment research identifies specific threats, weapon acquisition, and giving away possessions as high-risk warning signs.
Question 7: What is the primary purpose of establishing a unified command during a school active shooter response?
- To ensure the SRO retains sole authority over the scene
- To coordinate actions among multiple agencies and prevent conflicting orders (Correct answer)
- To satisfy legal requirements for multi-agency incidents
- To assign media spokesperson duties to the senior officer
Correct answer: To coordinate actions among multiple agencies and prevent conflicting orders
Unified command under ICS ensures law enforcement, fire, EMS, and school administration operate under one coordinated structure.
SRO Active Shooter Response 3
What does the acronym 'ALERRT' stand for in the context of active shooter training?