What mental state should security personnel maintain during an active shooter event?

Maintaining confidence in training and procedures during an active shooter event is crucial for security personnel. This mental state allows guards to effectively utilize the skills and knowledge they have acquired through their training, enabling them to assess situations, make informed decisions, and respond appropriately to ensure their safety and the safety of others.

When security personnel feel confident in their training, they are more likely to remain calm and composed, which is essential in high-stress situations like an active shooter event. This confidence helps them to execute established protocols and communicate effectively with law enforcement and civilians, potentially saving lives.

Having a mindset focused on worst-case scenarios or feeling high levels of anxiety can hinder decision-making and lead to panic, which is counterproductive in emergency situations. Similarly, apathy would lead to negligence of responsibilities that could exacerbate the situation, and inflexibility may prevent personnel from adapting to rapidly changing conditions and making necessary adjustments. Therefore, confidence serves as a foundation for a proactive and effective response during such critical incidents.