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| By Jim Morrissey, MA, EMT-P EMS Response to Active–Shoo SWAT teams enter an “active shooter” scenario while EMS crews stand by ready to follow in once the scene is secure. You are doing an EMS medical standby for an ongoing “active-shooter” incident. All you and your crew know is that a disgruntled man went into the offi ce where he was previ- ously employed and started shooting people. It’s rumored that he was shot and killed by police in a “suicide-by-cop” manner. There is uncertainty among the fi rst responders, and law enforcement offi cers are not sharing much information. Fleeing employees report that at least several people inside the offi ce are critically injured and are in immediate need of medical care. Responding to Shooting Incidents Active-shooter incidents are not uncommon in the United 42 JULY 2011 | EMSWORLD.com States. This type of incident frequently makes headlines and is likely to happen in your jurisdiction at some point. Let’s look at three possible courses of action regarding this hypothetical event. Option A: Grab your medical gear, get into the building ASAP, and start triage, treatment and extrication. You don’t believe you need a police escort, as it is highly likely the shooter was alone and the only threat. Law enforcement has a job to do and you have yours. There need not be a whole lot of interaction with the cops; your EMS medical team should focus on saving lives. Options B: You and other EMS personnel are not going to get close to this crisis site until you are given an “all clear” by law enforcement and assured the office and rest of the building have Photos by Josh Kennedy, www.kennedyphotocreations.com