What should responders prioritize when encountering an ongoing active shooter situation?

In an ongoing active shooter situation, the foremost priority for responders is to secure the area and ensure the safety of victims and bystanders. This immediate action is critical because the primary goal is to stop the threat and prevent further harm. Responders must focus on neutralizing the assailant, providing aid to those who are injured, and facilitating the swift evacuation of anyone still in harm's way.

Securing the area helps establish a safe perimeter where law enforcement can effectively engage with the threat without putting civilians at risk. This focus on safety also allows for emergency medical personnel to attend to casualties without the additional risks posed by the ongoing threat.

Other actions such as gathering evidence, making public relations announcements, or counting weapons are important but can only be attended to once the situation is under control and the immediate threat is neutralized. These tasks could divert precious time and resources away from the primary need to protect lives in the heat of the moment.