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Why Active Shooter Training Is Essential for Every Organization

Why Active Shooter Training Is Essential for Every Organization

In today's world, where active shooter incidents are tragically becoming more frequent, being prepared isn't optional-it's essential. Whether you manage a school, church, corporate office, or medical facility, your people depend on you for their safety. The truth is, most individuals freeze during high-stress situations because they don't know what to do. That's where A.L.I.V.E. Active Shooter Training makes the difference.

We believe that survival is a learned skill-and we're here to teach it.


1. Understanding the Reality: Active Shooters Can Strike Anywhere

From schools to office parks to retail stores, active shooter situations are no longer rare or limited to specific settings. According to the FBI, active shooter incidents have increased by more than 42% year-over-year. And in over 70% of these cases, the event is over in under 5 minutes-which means law enforcement often isn't there in time to prevent casualties.

This underscores one crucial point: the first line of defense is you and your team.


2. The A.L.I.V.E. Method: A Practical Approach to Survival

A.L.I.V.E. stands for:

  • Assess the situation
  • Leave if you can
  • Imped the attacker if you can't leave
  • Violence-fight back as a last resort
  • Expose yourself only when it's safe

This simple yet powerful framework gives people confidence and a plan of action in a terrifying moment.

Unlike traditional "Run, Hide, Fight" approaches that often lack context and personalization, A.L.I.V.E. provides real-world scenarios, psychological training, and physical tactics that empower everyday people to respond instinctively and survive.


3. Why Active Shooter Training Is Crucial for Schools, Workplaces, and Churches

  • Schools: Teachers and staff are responsible for dozens of lives. A.L.I.V.E. training prepares them to lead under pressure, secure classrooms, and make split-second decisions that save lives.
  • Workplaces: Whether you run a tech startup or a medical office, your team deserves to feel safe. Training ensures your emergency plan isn't just a binder on a shelf-it's a practiced, actionable system.
  • Churches: With open-door policies and large gatherings, houses of worship are uniquely vulnerable. Our training is faith-friendly and designed to protect congregations without creating a culture of fear.

4. The Psychological Advantage: Turning Fear Into Empowerment

One of the biggest barriers to survival is panic. People often freeze, hide ineffectively, or make decisions based on fear-not logic. A.L.I.V.E. training addresses this head-on by helping participants:

  • Understand the mindset of active shooters
  • Learn how the brain responds to trauma
  • Practice real-world decision-making through scenario-based learning

Confidence reduces fear. Training transforms panic into purpose.


5. Real Stories. Real Results.

After receiving A.L.I.V.E. training:

  • A corporate team in California created a detailed lockdown plan and held quarterly drills, reporting a 90% increase in staff confidence.
  • A church in Texas trained its security team and volunteers, who later prevented a suspicious individual from entering a service with a concealed weapon.
  • A school administrator in Florida credited the program with giving her team "a sense of control in a world that often feels out of control."

The impact is measurable-both in preparedness and peace of mind.


Final Thoughts

You may never face an active shooter. But if you do, wouldn't you rather be prepared?

Waiting until tragedy strikes is too late. At A.L.I.V.E., we're not here to scare you-we're here to empower you. Our mission is to save lives by teaching people how to survive the unthinkable.


Take Action Before It's Too Late

Protect your organization. Empower your people. Be prepared.
Schedule a free consultation or register your team for our next live training session.

Survive. Don't just hope for the best. Be A.L.I.V.E.

LEARN HOW TO SURVIVE AN ACTIVE SHOOTER!

"Michael Julian has written an excellent book. Practical, detailed, and a potential life saver if you find yourself in the midst of a targeted attack."
J. Reid Meloy Ph.D. - ABPP Forensic Consultant, FBI Behavioral Analysis Unit Faculty, San Diego Psychoanalytic Center
5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding Instructional Read - I completed my reading of Mr. Julian's book "10 Minutes To Live" and I have to say this is one of the most concise and professional books I have read on active shooter survival. The book is excellent and straight to the point on ways for the individual to take action and provide for their own safety and survival. The book provides intricate information through the "ALIVE" presentation in an easy to remember format and adds more tools to the toolbox to survive an active shooter event. With the threat of active shooters becoming more pervasive each day across the United States, every piece of information that can be gained should be explored to prepare. The first book they should look at is the "10 Minutes To Live" book and place those ideas into action. This book has become an integral reference manual for my research on the subject of active shooter survival and it should be a part of any active shooter survival specialist's library looking for accurate and applicable information. I highly recommend this book to everyone.
Amazon Customer
I hope I never need to act on the tips in this book, but I learned a lot from it - Sadly, I purchased this book the day before yet another mass shooting at a public school unfolded. Mr. Julian has laid out a straightforward and practical method for surviving. I can already see from reading this book and the news reports, how more lives could have been saved had the victims practiced what this author lays out here. I plan on carrying this book with me on vacations, business trips and to large gatherings. It might help me see the one extra thing that makes me a survivor instead of a statistic.
This is an excellent book that EVERYONE should read. This is a wealth of knowledge to prepare yourselves, just in case. We never know where terror might strike and we should know how to react to save ourselves and our loved ones.
Randy K.
Gives you an edge and a plan - This may save your life. Well written and thoughtful. Helps you clearly understand what you need to do to have a chance. Read and share with your friends and co-workers.
Tina Lizzie
Informative Book Everyone Should Read - This book is an informative read that, unfortunately, everyone should buy and read since we live during a time when we have active shooters too often!
Kimberly M Hawkins
Five Stars - Everyone should read.
Robert Sherwood
An outstanding, thoughtful, well-presented approach to a difficult subject. The format makes for an easy read.
Terry R. Cox
Excellent information for professionals and laymen alike - Michael lays this information out so everyone can understand it. Straightforward and to the point. Excellent information for professionals and laymen alike. Well done, my friend.
Five Stars - Excellent read and right on target. It is a must-read for Security and Police Professionals.
Dean A. Beers
First, I know Mr. Julian well, he is a close friend and close professional colleague. Be certain-my review is unbiased, with the exception of also being from my perspective. One reason he is such a good friend is we are on the same page-and this book confirms that. I have young grandkids and we have very direct conversations about their personal safety and bullying. How many regularly tell their kids and grandkids-no matter what, you get away alive because a bad person only wants to hurt and kill people. Some may not like that-but it's effective. How many, when walking in stores, malls, playgrounds, regularly ask their kids and grandkids what they would do if someone tried to grab them? Our daughters, when in elementary school, had someone try to grab them from the bus stop (they were the only two)-their reactions saved them. The very small town we lived in (literally one traffic light) had someone try to kidnap a young girl-adults saw it and stopped it, keeping the bad guy until the SRO got there within minutes. It's real life, folks. The odds are nothing will happen-but our lives, and those of our dearest loved ones, are not "odds." The best thing every person-every family, business, school, etc.-can do is Be Prepared (Boy Scouts) and Improvise, Adapt, Overcome (US Marines). Mr. Julian lays it out very strong and very simple for every person to stay ALIVE-Assess, Leave, Impede, Violence, Expose. No one is too young or old, strong or weak, to follow this. No special training-just a very strong mindset. Every school administrator, teacher, student, and parent should have this book as required reading at every grade.
Chris Story
Security professionals and others-Read and share this book. It could help save lives! I just read Michael Julian, CPI PPS CSP's book "10 Minutes To Live." I'm a voracious reader, often reading 3james -4 books at a time. At the same time I am discerning. If the back cover or first few pages don't make me want to continue, I move on fairly quickly. As a security professional, I have a critical eye for fluff and conjecture. With this book that was not the case. After the first chapter, I reached out to several colleagues and friends and recommended it. I also recommended Michael be a guest interview on a popular survival mindset podcast. This book is well written, well researched, cited, and yet easy to read and comprehend. It isn't a stale scholastic book on concept. It is an educational, read-and-apply-NOW manual for thinking through and surviving an active shooter event. His approach goes beyond the accepted "Run, Hide, Fight" and walks the reader through a mindset approach to surviving mass killing events. Regardless of background or experience, the author's simple and direct approach speaks volumes to the reader. The book is a must-read for security professionals and loved ones alike. It helps explain why and how mentally preparing now is simple survivability insurance in both corporate and personal settings. Well done! I look forward to more.
Randy Ontiveros
Excellent reading, very helpful and I would recommend to anyone who has thought "What would I do if a shooter appeared out of nowhere?" A box of rocks on each student's desk is not a solution. Read Michael's to find a better way.
Carl Scala
Great information geared towards surviving an active shooter/active threat situation - A very good read in explaining how to survive an active shooter/active threat situation for the novice. Having years of experience from the military, law enforcement and now Executive Protection, Mr. Julian breaks down the information in a very easy way so that it may open the reader's eyes to be more situationally aware. With all of the past decades of mass threat incidents, I highly recommend this book. It may just save your life.
Richard Marruffo
Great book!!! - Very well written and easy to read. Fantastic information and really hits home. I also highly recommend the Surviving an Active Shooter course taught by Mr. Julian!
Cynthia C.
Informative - Well written & concise. I would recommend to anyone interested in learning more about this topic.
James Hamilton - Gavin de Becker's VP
Do not sub-contract your own security - Excellent read on action to take to survive an Active Shooter situation.


ALSO AVAILABLE FOR AUDIO DOWNLOAD, E-BOOK, AND PAPERBACK / HARDCOVER ON AMAZON


10 Minutes To Live - By Michael Julian 10 Minutes To Live - By Michael JulianSpanish Version - 10 Minutes To Live - By Michael Julian

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Hear From An A.L.I.V.E. Student Survivor Of The Las Vegas Massacre



"As a retired 32 year law enforcement veteran, with several years of SWAT and tactical experience, I learned some different unique perspectives as it pertains to civilians dealing with active threat situations. Very good class for civilians who may have never experienced reacting to a life and death stressful situation."
- Christopher C.

A.L.I.V.E. STANDS FOR:


Assess

Assess the situation quickly


Leave

Leave the area if you can


Impede

Impede the shooter


Violence

Violence may be necessary


Expose

Expose your position carefully for safety

INDUSTRIES WE SERVE


Corporations


Government


Healthcare


Places of worship


Schools & Universities


Venues

MICHAEL JULIAN

Creator of A.L.I.V.E.

A.L.I.V.E., which stands for Assess, Leave, Impede, Violence, and Expose, was created in 2014 when Michael began teaching his Active Shooter Survival philosophy throughout the United States. His book on the subject, 10 Minutes to Live: Surviving an Active Shooter Using A.L.I.V.E. was published in 2017 and the online version of the A.L.I.V.E. Training Program was launched in 2019 and is now part of the corporate security training program for companies throughout the world.


Michael D. Julian - Creator of A.L.I.V.E. Active Shooter Survival Training

Why A.L.I.V.E. Active Shooter
Survival Training Program?

The A.L.I.V.E. Active Shooter Survival Training Program is a comprehensive training program designed to provide individuals with the necessary skills and knowledge to survive an active shooter incident. Its emphasis on situational awareness and decision-making makes it a practical and effective approach to active shooter situations. By empowering individuals to take proactive measures to protect themselves and others, the program can help prevent tragedies and save lives.


More Than

500,000

Civilians Trained


More Than

300

Certified Instructors Throughout The World