In an active shooter incident, the primary goal is:

• A. Engage the shooter
• B. Contain the suspect
• C. Help victims and the uninjured retreat to a protected area
• D. Restore order immediately

Answer: (C)

In an active shooter incident, saving lives by moving people away from danger to a protected area is the top priority. Getting victims and bystanders out of the line of fire minimizes further harm and creates a safer environment where they can receive medical care. Once people are secure, you can begin triage and treatment, while police or other responders work to neutralize the threat. Engaging the shooter or containing the suspect are important components of the overall response, but they are secondary to ensuring that civilians have a safe place and are kept out of immediate danger. Restoring order right away isn’t the immediate goal because without protecting people first, there’s little you can restore.