When should a rescue group (RG) be dispatched during an active shooter situation?

The correct response indicates that a rescue group should be dispatched once the area has been cleared by contact teams. This is vital because the initial priority in an active shooter incident is to neutralize the threat and ensure that it is safe for rescuers to enter the area. The contact teams are specially trained to address the shooter and secure the environment, and their clearance is essential for ensuring that no ongoing threat exists.

Sending a rescue group into a situation that has not been evaluated could put them in harm's way. By waiting for the area to be cleared, responders can focus on providing necessary medical assistance and support to victims without the risk of encountering the active threat. In the chaos of an active shooter event, safety is paramount, both for the victims requiring aid and for the first responders entering the scene.