Active Shooter Awareness Course (US) 2026
This course is for security officers and other staff in the United States who want to know how to respond to an active shooter. It follows public federal guidance from DHS, CISA and the FBI: planning, warning signs and reporting, Run, Hide, Fight, calling 911, what to do when police arrive, and what happens after. It is awareness only and does not replace the guard training your state or employer requires.
Respuesta rápida
Este curso gratuito tiene unos 30 minutos de lecciones y un test de 25 preguntas. Con un 80 % o más puedes descargar un certificado de finalización (privado, no acreditado). Contrastado con fuentes oficiales el 13 de octubre de 2026.
Qué aprenderás
- Define an active shooter incident and explain why the first minutes matter
- Describe the security officer's role and its limits
- List key parts of an emergency action plan and a good drill
- Recognize and report concerning behavior based on facts
- Apply Run, Hide, Fight in the right order
- Give 911 the right details and act safely when police arrive
- Explain what happens after the threat is over
Obtén un 80 % o más para descargar tu certificado.
-
Pregunta 1 de 25
Ver respuesta
Respuesta: B. One or more people actively trying to kill people in a populated area
The FBI defines an active shooter as one or more individuals actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a populated area.
-
Pregunta 2 de 25
Ver respuesta
Respuesta: D. Within 10 to 15 minutes
CISA says these incidents are often over within 10 to 15 minutes, often before police arrive, so people must be ready to act on their own.
-
Pregunta 3 de 25
Ver respuesta
Respuesta: D. Help contain the situation and assist police, not hunt the attacker
National Archives guidance says security guards contain the situation and assist police. They should not seek out or engage the suspect.
-
Pregunta 4 de 25
Ver respuesta
Respuesta: B. The two nearest exits
Knowing the two nearest exits ahead of time lets you move fast if you need to run.
-
Pregunta 5 de 25
Ver respuesta
Respuesta: B. A way to account for all employees after evacuation
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.38 lists minimum plan elements, including procedures to account for all employees after an evacuation.
-
Pregunta 6 de 25
Ver respuesta
Respuesta: C. Recognize the sound of gunshots
DHS lists recognizing the sound of gunshots, reacting quickly, calling 911 and reacting when police arrive as parts of a good exercise.
-
Pregunta 7 de 25
Ver respuesta
Respuesta: D. Explosive outbursts of anger without a clear cause
DHS lists explosive outbursts of anger or rage without provocation, more alcohol or drug use and unexplained absences among possible warning signs.
-
Pregunta 8 de 25
Ver respuesta
Respuesta: C. They usually show signs first and do not just snap
DHS says people typically do not just snap. They often show signs over time, which is why reporting concerns early matters.
-
Pregunta 9 de 25
Ver respuesta
Respuesta: D. Observed behavior and facts you can explain
CISA says reports should be based on observed behavior with facts you can explain, never on race, religion, sex or sexual orientation alone.
-
Pregunta 10 de 25
Ver respuesta
Respuesta: B. Greet them and ask how you can help
The OHNO approach is Observe, Initiate a hello, Navigate the risk and Obtain help. A friendly greeting often shows whether there is a real concern.
-
Pregunta 11 de 25
Ver respuesta
Respuesta: D. To local law enforcement or a person of authority
DHS says to report suspicious activity to local law enforcement or a person of authority, and to call 911 in an emergency. Do not report it to DHS.
-
Pregunta 12 de 25
Ver respuesta
Respuesta: A. When there is a safe escape path
If there is an accessible escape path, DHS guidance says to try to get out, even if others will not follow.
-
Pregunta 13 de 25
Ver respuesta
Respuesta: D. Leave them behind
CISA and DHS guidance say to leave belongings behind so nothing slows you down.
-
Pregunta 14 de 25
Ver respuesta
Respuesta: C. Try to keep them from going in
DHS guidance says to prevent others from entering an area where the active shooter may be.
-
Pregunta 15 de 25
Ver respuesta
Respuesta: C. Out of view and behind a locked door
Federal guidance says to hide out of the shooter's view, in a place that gives protection, such as an office with a closed and locked door.
-
Pregunta 16 de 25
Ver respuesta
Respuesta: B. Silence it so it makes no sound
CISA says to silence mobile devices while hiding, and to stay quiet, so you do not give away your location.
-
Pregunta 17 de 25
Ver respuesta
Respuesta: D. Leave the line open so the dispatcher can listen
If you cannot speak, leaving the line open lets the dispatcher hear what is happening.
-
Pregunta 18 de 25
Ver respuesta
Respuesta: A. Only as a last resort when your life is in immediate danger
DHS guidance says to take action against the shooter only as a last resort, when your life is in imminent danger.
-
Pregunta 19 de 25
Ver respuesta
Respuesta: A. The attacker's location and description
DHS lists the shooter's location, number of shooters, physical description, number and type of weapons and number of possible victims.
-
Pregunta 20 de 25
Ver respuesta
Respuesta: A. Keep them empty and visible
Drop anything you are holding and keep your hands empty and visible, so officers can see you are not a threat.
-
Pregunta 21 de 25
Ver respuesta
Respuesta: D. Keep going and do not stop them to ask for help
DHS guidance says not to stop officers to ask for help or directions while you evacuate. Keep moving and follow the responders' directions.
-
Pregunta 22 de 25
Ver respuesta
Respuesta: C. Their first job is to stop the attacker; rescue teams follow
The first officers go straight to the threat. Rescue teams follow to treat and remove the injured.
-
Pregunta 23 de 25
Ver respuesta
Respuesta: D. 5 minutes
DHS says a bleeding person can die within five minutes, and bystanders will always be first on the scene.
-
Pregunta 24 de 25
Ver respuesta
Respuesta: A. Account for everyone to find who is missing or hurt
DHS says to account for all people at a designated assembly point to find out who may be missing or injured.
-
Pregunta 25 de 25
Ver respuesta
Respuesta: C. You may be held as a witness until police say you can leave
Federal guidance says people who escape will likely be held and questioned as witnesses. Do not leave until authorities say you may.
Teclado: 1–4 para responder, Intro para la siguiente pregunta.
Qué debes saber antes del examen
- The FBI defines an active shooter as one or more people actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a populated area.
- CISA says active shooter incidents are often over within 10 to 15 minutes, often before police arrive.
- Federal guidance teaches three options: run if you can, hide if you cannot, and fight only as a last resort when your life is in danger.
- The first officers on scene go straight to the threat and will not stop to help the injured. Rescue teams follow.
- DHS warns that a person with severe bleeding can die within five minutes, and bystanders will always be first on the scene.
Preguntas frecuentes
Should a security officer go looking for the attacker?
No. Federal guidance for security guards says to contain the situation and assist police, not to seek out or engage the suspect. Warn people, help them escape or hide, and give police information.
What should I tell 911?
Give the attacker's location, the number of attackers, their description, the number and type of weapons, and how many people may be hurt. If you cannot speak, leave the line open.
Does this course meet a state training requirement?
No. Many states license security guards and set their own training. For example, California requires a BSIS guard registration with Power to Arrest training, 32 hours of skills training in the first 6 months and 8 hours every year. This course is awareness only.
What does Run, Hide, Fight mean?
Run if there is a safe way out. Hide if you cannot get out, behind a locked door and out of sight. Fight only as a last resort when your life is in immediate danger.
¿El certificado está acreditado o reconocido oficialmente?
No. Es un certificado de finalización privado, solo para tus conocimientos. No está reconocido, acreditado ni aprobado por ningún gobierno, organismo de licencias, regulador ni institución educativa, y no sustituye ninguna licencia, certificación ni formación exigida por la ley.
Fuentes
- FBI: Active shooter safety resources
- CISA: Active shooter preparedness
- CISA: Active shooter pocket card
- DHS: Active Shooter, How to Respond (booklet, hosted by Nevada Division of Emergency Management)
- National Archives (NARA): Active shooter guidance
- CISA: The Power of Hello
- DHS: If You See Something, Say Something
- DHS: Stop the Bleed