Active Shooter Scenario

Project Overview

The University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) had developed an all-hazards Emergency Operations Plan (EOP). However, many of its components had not yet been thoroughly validated. In particular, the plan needed to be tested for a variety of emergency incidents, including an active shooter scenario.

Understanding the Mission

The UNCW requested a tabletop exercise (TTX) centered on a workplace-based active shooter scenario involving multiple casualties. The exercise aimed to validate their EOP, ensuring it was robust enough to respond effectively in such high-stakes situations. Additionally, the university specified that the TTX be conducted in accordance with the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) to ensure full compliance with established standards.

The Hagerty Approach

Hagerty developed comprehensive documentation for the active shooter scenario, including a situation manual and a detailed sequence of events. This covered a wide range of topics such as emergency public safety and security response, planning, citizen evacuation procedures, shelter-in-place protocols, and strategies for economic and community recovery. Each section was designed to outline critical tasks, placing a particular focus on areas such as alert notifications, coordination of response efforts, consequence management, and long-term event recovery.

Achieving Results

Hagerty facilitated the TTX, leading three successful modules that engaged department leaders across the university. These discussions promoted interdepartmental collaboration and ensured that the team was aligned in their approach to handling a complex emergency. As a result, the university was able to validate its HSEEP-compliant EOP, reinforcing its ability to respond effectively to an active shooter scenario and other emergency situations.