Fort Scott Community College Hosts Active Shooter Response Training

Fort Scott, Kan.— More than 35 representatives from organizations across the Four States gathered at Fort Scott Community College for ALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate) training on Thursday, February 24 and Friday, February 25.

ALICE prepares individuals to handle the threat of an active shooter. In a recent study, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) reported 160 active shooter incidents occurred between 2000 and 2013 in the United States, and 70 percent of those incidents occurred in either a commerce/business or educational environment. The FBI also found active shooter incidents have been increasing in frequency each year.

Due to a lack of local ALICE trainers, FSCC opted to host a “train the trainer” course. FSCC staff from both the Fort Scott and Pittsburg campuses attended to further the college’s goal of training all staff in ALICE.

“While this course was mostly attended by schools and law enforcement, the intruder training would be valuable in many other areas including hospitals, workplaces, and government offices,” said Clayton Whitson, FSCC Speech Instructor and Crisis Team Chair.

The two-day course taught participants to utilize their hardwired survival instincts to proactively respond to an active shooter incident. Participants learned to quickly assess the situation and determine a solution based on the location and options available.

“These tactics are common sense—they’re just not common knowledge,” said ALICE National Trainer Shawn Slezak. “This course empowers people to do what they already know how to do.”

ALICE is research-based and endorsed by law enforcement across the United States. For more information, visit alicetraining.com.