ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Active shooter training

Active shooter training is like playing cops and robbers, but for grown-ups. Just like how you might play pretend with your friends and take turns being the good guys and the bad guys, adults do this too - but it's not pretend. They practice what to do if a bad guy with a gun comes into their workplace, school or public place.

First, they learn to recognize the signs that something bad might be happening. They practice keeping their eyes and ears open to be aware of anything out of the ordinary. This could be someone acting suspiciously, hearing loud noises or seeing strange things happening.

Then, they practice what to do if an active shooter enters the building. The most important rule is to run, hide, or fight. They learn to run away from the danger as quickly as possible, hide somewhere safe, or fight back if they have to protect themselves.

They practice staying quiet so the shooter can't hear them, locking doors and barricading them with heavy objects, and turning off lights. They also learn how to escape from windows if necessary.

Finally, they learn how to be brave if they need to be. They practice fighting back by throwing objects, yelling, and swarming the shooter to try to take him down.

In short, active shooter training prepares adults on how to stay safe in case of a shooting, and teaches them what to do so they can help protect themselves and others around them.