How ALICE Training Can Help Protect Your Child During an Active Shooter Incident
As the news of tragic events like the Columbine High School shooting broke in April 1999, a former police officer named Mike Johnson faced a stark realization. Watching the nightmare unfold, he understood that despite all the training first responders undergo, they often can’t arrive in time to prevent loss of life. As a dedicated officer with the Dallas/Fort Worth Police Department, Mike had seen firsthand the aftermath of such tragedies, and his perspective shifted when he learned that his wife was the principal at the local elementary school where their kids attended.
“When I asked her what her emergency plan was for an active shooter, she simply said, ‘Hide and wait for help,’” Mike shared. “That’s when it became clear to me that we needed a better strategy.”
Focusing on the critical five to six minutes it typically takes for law enforcement to respond, Mike pondered how children could be taught to make quick decisions that could save their lives. He reached out to some former SWAT colleagues, and together they began to explore training options for students and staff. However, they discovered a glaring gap: there was nothing out there that encouraged proactive measures during an active shooter situation.
Thus, the ALICE training program was born. ALICE stands for Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, and Evacuate, and it was the first of its kind to offer options for students and staff on how to respond if a shooter entered their school or workplace. Initially, the acronym was “LICE,” but as Mike humorously recalls, “My wife told me that bringing LICE into schools wouldn’t get us very far.” After refining their approach, they delivered the first ALICE training presentation in early 2001.
The ALICE program empowers students with multiple options depending on the scenario they face. And while the steps aren’t meant to be followed in a strict order, the priority is clear: use any means necessary to stay safe. “The goal is for kids to think on their feet instead of just hiding and waiting,” Mike says.
- Alert: Recognizing a potential threat through senses or announcements from staff.
- Lockdown: While traditionally seen as a safety measure, there are times when it’s still the best option, according to Mike.
- Inform: Keeping everyone updated in real-time through cameras, PA systems, and social media.
- Counter: Using distractions—like throwing an object—to divert the shooter’s attention.
- Evacuate: Moving away from danger, as it’s harder for a shooter to hit a moving target.
Mike faced skepticism in the early days; many were resistant to the idea of deviating from conventional lockdown procedures. “Lockdowns are useful when the threat is outside, but when danger is inside, that’s a different ball game,” he explains. However, after high-profile incidents like the Amish school shooting in 2006 and Virginia Tech in 2007, schools began to see the value in his innovative approach.
Today, ALICE has trained over 3,400 of the 14,000 U.S. school districts, and more than 4,000 police departments offer the training in their communities. The Nazareth Area School District in Pennsylvania, for instance, adopted ALICE to equip students and staff with life-saving skills. Principal Alan Davis believes that “ALICE training is a life skill that extends beyond school,” while Joseph Yanek, principal at Nazareth Intermediate School, noted that instead of generating fear, the training empowered students. “They feel excited about being helpers in emergencies,” he said.
ALICE training improves survival chances in the first crucial minutes of an active shooter incident, which can make all the difference. As one sixth-grader, Emma Roberts, put it, “ALICE training makes me feel strong, and I know I can come home to my parents if something bad happens.”
Mike finds motivation in hearing how ALICE has made kids feel safer: “Those stories are what keep us going.”
If you’re interested in bringing ALICE training to your school district, you can learn more about it here.
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Summary
ALICE training is a groundbreaking program designed to empower students and staff with proactive strategies during active shooter situations. By providing options like Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, and Evacuate, students can make informed decisions that could save their lives. With growing acceptance and implementation, ALICE is proving to be a vital tool in schools nationwide.
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