During an active shooter incident, where should the team's primary focus be directed?

During an active shooter incident, the team's primary focus should be directed on identifying and neutralizing the threat. This approach is vital because the situation poses an immediate threat to life, and the priority is to stop the active shooter from causing further harm. As the incident develops, protecting the lives of potential victims becomes paramount. By neutralizing the threat, the team can then create an environment where evacuation and first aid can safely occur without the continued risk of injury from the shooter.

Emphasizing the identification and neutralization of the threat helps ensure a coordinated response that prioritizes minimizing risk to lives. While evacuation of victims, providing first aid, and locating bystanders are essential components of response planning, they must occur once the threat is contained or eliminated to ensure everyone's safety. Therefore, focusing first on neutralizing the threat establishes the groundwork for an effective and safe resolution to the incident.