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The threat of gun violence in schools necessitates attention across the spectrum of emergency management mission areas: prevention, protection, mitigation, response, and recovery. While mitigation, response, and recovery represent critical aspects of emergency management, this guide focuses on considerations for schools specifically in the areas of prevention and protection. This resource… (read more)

The nation's rural emergency responders face unique challenges when compared to their urban counterparts. In recognizing the need for consistent, quality training which addresses those challenges, Congress and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) established the Rural Domestic Preparedness Consortium (RDPC or the Consortium) to develop and deliver relevant all-hazards training in support of… (read more)

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Emergency Communications (OEC) developed, with stakeholder input, this guide to provide recommendations for implementing a robust, stakeholder-driven, governance system focusing on emergency communications interoperability. This guide is a starting point from which your organization can begin to plan and implement regional governance structures… (read more)

Options for Consideration demonstrates possible actions to take if confronted with an active shooter scenario. The video also shows how to assist authorities once law enforcement enters the scene.

Recent improvised explosive device (IED) and active shooter incidents reveal that some traditional practices of first responders need to be realigned and enhanced to improve survivability of victims and the safety of first responders caring for them. This Federal, multi-disciplinary first responder guidance translates evidence-based response strategies from the U.S. military's vast experience in… (read more)

The DHS State and Local Law Enforcement Resource Catalog (updated April 2017) highlights DHS resources available to state, local, tribal, and territorial law enforcement. This document summarizes and provides links to training, publications, guidance, alerts, newsletters, programs, and services available to non-Federal law enforcement from across the Department. The Resource Catalog is not… (read more)

Cyber incidents can have serious consequences. The theft of private, financial, or other sensitive data and cyber attacks that damage computer systems are capable of causing lasting harm to anyone engaged in personal or commercial online transactions. Such risks are increasingly faced by businesses, consumers, and all other users of the Internet. A private sector entity that is a victim of a… (read more)

Rumors, misinformation, and false information on social media proliferate before, during, and after disasters and emergencies. While this information cannot be completely eliminated, first responder agencies can use various tactics and strategies to offset bad information. This white paper examines motivations people may have for sharing false information, discusses underlying issues that cause… (read more)

This resource document provides several publications and web resources on a variety of security topics to include targeted attacks, managing threatening situations, creating safe school climates, security assessments, and the Roundtable presentation.

This project sought to determine the optimized message contents of imminent threat wireless emergency alert (WEA) messages delivered over mobile communication devices. This report presents findings for the first WEA messages disseminated about imminent threats (i.e., first alert messages) from two research phases with U.S. adults: (1) eight experiments, seven focus groups and 50 think-out-loud… (read more)

This free, online repository offers a variety of resources to empower practitioners and campus leaders to better prepare for, respond to, and recover from various threats and hazards relevant to the academic community. The resources included represent a variety of federal, state, local, private-sector, emergency management, and academic association entities. Resources in the library are organized… (read more)

This is a second edition of a publication known as FEMA 428 that provides the design community and school administrators with the basic principles and techniques to design a school that is safe from potential physical attacks and, at the same time, offers an aesthetically pleasing design that is functional and meets the needs of the students, staff, administration, and general public. This… (read more)

How to respond when an active shooter is in your vicinity.

How to respond when an active shooter is in your vicinity.

An active shooter is an individual who is engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a confined and populated area; in most cases, active shooters use firearms(s) and there is no pattern or method to their selection of victims. This is a quick reference guide for active shooter incidents.

Bomb threats or suspicious items should always be taken seriously. How quickly and safely you react to a bomb threat could save lives, including your own. What should you do? The guidance and resources on this webpage outline in-depth procedures for either bomb threats or suspicious items and will help you prepare and react appropriately during these events. Resources include a DHS bomb threat… (read more)

The Blue Campaign creates a variety of toolkits for various communities to raise awareness against the heinous crime of human trafficking. Human trafficking is modern-day slavery and involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain labor or commercial sex. Types of human trafficking include sex trafficking, forced labor, and domestic servitude. This toolkit offers tips and resources to… (read more)

Emergency communications is a shared mission across all levels of government; the private sector, including private cultural and educational institutions; nongovernmental organizations; and even the public. The 2014 National Emergency Communications Plan (NECP) provides information and guidance to those that plan for, coordinate, invest in, and use operable and interoperable communications for… (read more)

The American public has expressed increasing alarm over incidents of multiple casualty violence. While the law enforcement community has progressed in advancing training in the tactical response to incidents, there are significant gaps in strategies aimed at preventing multiple casualty violence. To address this need, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Law Enforcement Training… (read more)

This document provides information about the BCOT initiative; highlights outreach efforts; and provides resources to include guidance documents for community leaders and law enforcement, and the If You See Something, Say Something campaign.

This guidance document describes the challenges that must be addressed by fusion centers, local law enforcement agencies, and communities in developing relationships of trust.

Spectator events at colleges and universities are symbolic of American life, and there is no event more iconic than college football games. The campus, the crowds, and the media are all elements that make campus events a target for a terrorist attack. In December 2011 a Campus Security Focus Group of experienced university police leaders convened to identify promising practices for providing… (read more)

This guide provides recommendations in the development of plans to respond to an emergency and outlines how Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs) can plan for preventing, protecting against, mitigating the impact of and recovering from emergencies. The guide translates lessons learned from the Administration's work on national preparedness to IHEs. The guide introduces new approaches to… (read more)

This document is a complementary piece to Guidance for Building Communities of Trust and was developed to assist community leaders working with law enforcement agencies to facilitate dialogue and discuss ways to work together to prevent crime and terrorism. The strategies discussed here also complement national strategic goals to empower local partners to keep communities safe from threats of… (read more)

The guide provides recommendations in the development of plans not only to respond to an emergency, but also outlines how organizations can plan for preventing, protecting against, mitigating the impact of and recovering from these emergencies. It translates lessons learned from the Administration's work on national preparedness to the school, IHE, and house of worship contexts, ensuring that… (read more)