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Chicago, IL  ·  Schaumburg, IL  ·  Lake Geneva, WI

Active Shooter
Training

Scenario-based active shooter response training for workplaces, schools, houses of worship, healthcare facilities, and event venues. Built on the HASARD methodology and designed to give your people the awareness, decisions, and actions that save lives when seconds count.

Scenario-based training
On-site delivery
Run, Hide, Fight framework
Built on HASARD methodology
Led by former law enforcement
What it is

Realistic Training for the Worst-Case Scenario

Active shooter incidents can unfold in under two minutes. Police response, however fast, almost never arrives in time to stop the initial violence. The people in the building when the shooting starts are the ones who have to act. Training determines what they do.

Head of Security delivers practical, scenario-based active shooter response training that goes beyond generic Run, Hide, Fight videos. We train your people inside the actual spaces they work in, using the floor plan, exits, choke points, and behavioral patterns specific to your environment, so the response is automatic when pressure arrives.

Response framework

Run. Hide. Fight.

We train to the nationally recognized Run, Hide, Fight protocol established by the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI. Our program teaches your people how to evaluate which option applies, when to transition between them, and how to execute each one effectively in the moment.

R
Run

Evacuation is the first option when a clear path to safety exists. We train exit identification, movement patterns, and crowd management so people move fast and do not freeze at the doorway.

H
Hide

When evacuation is not safe, sheltering effectively becomes the priority. We train concealment, barricading, silencing devices, and lockdown procedures specific to your spaces.

F
Fight

Last option, last resort, and sometimes the only option. We train on improvised tools, commitment, team coordination, and the psychology required to act when confrontation is unavoidable.

Program structure

How Our Training Is Delivered

Every active shooter training program is customized to your environment and risk profile. A standard engagement includes five components:

01
Pre-Training Site Assessment
We walk your facility and identify entry points, exit routes, hiding locations, choke points, and environmental risk factors. Training is then built around your actual space, not a generic template.
02
Threat Recognition and Situational Awareness
Built on our HASARD methodology. We teach your people to recognize pre-attack behavioral indicators, environmental changes, and early warning signs so they gain seconds or minutes before an incident escalates.
03
Run, Hide, Fight Instruction
Detailed instruction on each response option, when each one applies, and how to make the decision under pressure. Includes psychological preparation so the body does not freeze when it matters.
04
Scenario-Based Drills
Live, facilitated drills inside your facility. We practice evacuation routes, lockdown procedures, barricading, and decision-making under simulated stress so the response is rehearsed, not theoretical.
05
After-Action Review and Plan Development
We debrief with leadership to identify gaps exposed during the drill. Where useful we help your team develop or update emergency response plans, lockdown procedures, and communication protocols.
Who we train

Organizations We Prepare

Active shooter training is essential for any organization with people inside a building. We deliver programs tailored to the specific risk profile of each environment.

Workplace
Corporations and Offices
Corporate HQs, offices, manufacturing facilities, distribution centers, and call centers.
Education
Schools and Universities
K-12 schools, colleges, universities, and after-school programs. Staff and age-appropriate student training.
Faith
Houses of Worship
Churches, synagogues, mosques, and religious community centers. Safety teams and congregational training.
Healthcare
Hospitals and Clinics
Hospitals, medical office buildings, urgent care, and long-term care. Compliant with healthcare WVP requirements.
Hospitality
Retail, Hotels, and Restaurants
Retail stores, shopping centers, hotels, restaurants, and hospitality venues with customer-facing teams.
Events
Event Venues and Organizers
Concert venues, conference centers, sports facilities, and event production teams preparing for large gatherings.
Why Head of Security

Training That Goes Beyond a Video

Generic online active shooter videos do not prepare people for the real thing. Head of Security delivers training led by professionals with operational experience in counterterrorism, law enforcement tactics, and behavioral threat assessment.

Built on HASARD, not generic content

Our training is grounded in the proprietary HASARD methodology, which teaches recognition and prevention alongside response. Most providers only teach reaction.

Site-specific, not one-size-fits-all

We train inside your actual facility using your floor plan, exits, and environmental features. Your people rehearse response in the space where it would actually happen.

Led by former operators

Our training team includes former military, law enforcement, and counterterrorism professionals. Instruction is grounded in real-world experience, not theory.

Integrated with your full security program

Active shooter training connects to your threat risk assessment, emergency plans, and workplace violence prevention. Everything works as one program, not a disconnected session.

Common questions

Active Shooter Training FAQ

How long does a typical active shooter training session last? +

A full program typically runs two to four hours for staff and includes a classroom instruction portion followed by scenario-based drills. We also offer condensed awareness sessions (60 to 90 minutes) and extended multi-day programs for security teams or safety committees. The right length depends on your audience, environment, and objectives.

Can you train at our location? +

Yes. All our active shooter training is delivered on-site at your facility across Chicago, Schaumburg, Lake Geneva, and throughout Illinois and Wisconsin. Training inside your actual space is essential because the floor plan, exit locations, and environmental features are built into the drills. Generic off-site training loses most of its value.

Do you offer training for schools and students? +

Yes. We deliver active shooter training programs for K-12 schools, colleges, and universities. For K-12 environments we work closely with administrators to design age-appropriate programs for students and comprehensive preparation for teachers, staff, and safety teams. Our school programs are aligned with Illinois school safety requirements.

Does your training meet healthcare workplace violence prevention requirements? +

Yes. Our active shooter training is structured to support compliance with Illinois workplace violence prevention requirements for healthcare facilities including the Illinois Health Care Violence Prevention Act. We can tailor programs to meet specific regulatory obligations and document training for compliance purposes.

How is active shooter training different from HASARD Training? +

HASARD Training focuses on recognition and prevention, teaching your people how to identify behavioral indicators and environmental changes before a threat becomes an incident. Active shooter training focuses on response, what to do when a threat is already active. They work together. HASARD buys time, active shooter training uses that time effectively. Most clients benefit from both.

How often should we retrain? +

Industry best practice is a full training and drill annually, with shorter refreshers or tabletop exercises every six months. High-risk environments like schools and healthcare often benefit from more frequent drills. We can structure an ongoing training cadence as part of your overall security program.

Prepare Before You Need It

Every training engagement starts with a consultation. We assess your environment and build a program around your actual risks.

Schedule a Consultation
Chicago, IL
Schaumburg, IL
Lake Geneva, WI
Chicagoland
Illinois
Wisconsin
Nationwide
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