C3 Podcast: Active Shooter Incident Management

C3 Pathways
  • 4.7 (15)
  • EDUCATION

This C3 Pathways Podcast series discusses Active Shooter Incident Management (ASIM). The Podcast features instructors and special guests discussing key elements and challenges of Active Shooter Incident Management and the implications for law enforcement, fire, and EMS responders. The bad guy and the clock both kill innocent victims. Don't miss the opportunity to gain key insights that may help you save lives!

  1. Ep 120: CCP vs AEP

    12/15/2025

    Ep 120: CCP vs AEP

    In this episode, the team breaks down the real-world differences between a Casualty Collection Point (CCP) and an Ambulance Exchange Point (AEP), why they matter, and how to set them up so you save more lives in an active shooter or mass casualty event.​ Episode 120 dives into working in the warm zone and explains how CCPs and AEPs function together to move victims rapidly from point of injury to definitive care, while maintaining responder safety. The team discusses who should establish the CCP, how law enforcement Contact Teams drive early triage and security, and why CCPs are not just a “medical” job.​ You’ll hear practical tactics on: Defining and securing a CCP in the warm zone so Rescue Task Forces can work safely​What makes an AEP different from a traditional MCI loading zone​Prioritizing which “reds” go first and using medical judgment beyond simple triage tags​Matching patient loads to available medics without overwhelming the ambulance crew​Coordinating tactical, triage, and transport to avoid fatal delays in getting ambulances to the AEP​Whether you’re law enforcement, fire, EMS, or an incident commander, this episode will help you visualize how CCPs and AEPs should work on your next high-threat incident. View this episode at: https://youtu.be/0tvPO0lvEVs Like what you hear? Drop a review and subscribe to our Podcast Channel.  If you have questions, you can send them to info@c3pathways.com with “Podcast Question” in the subject line.  Check out our websites and learn more about C3 Pathways / NCIER by going to: https://www.c3pathways.com or https://www.ncier.org The Active Shooter Incident Management Podcast is owned by C3 Pathways and NCIER. None of the content presented may be copied, repurposed, or used without the owner’s prior consent.

    28 min
  2. Ep 119: College Shooting - A Student’s Story

    11/24/2025

    Ep 119: College Shooting - A Student’s Story

    On April 17, 2025, a normal college day suddenly turned into a crisis when an active shooter appeared on campus, and Hope—a senior at Florida State University—was right in the middle of it. She talks about what it was really like: hearing sirens, getting lockdown alerts, and dealing with fear, confusion, and the challenge of keeping calm when nobody knew what was happening. In this powerful and emotional interview, Hope describes barricading the classroom, texting her parents, and relying on each other when official instructions seemed confusing and social media added to the panic. For four hours, Hope and her classmates stuck together, their emotions swinging from worry to courage. This video isn’t just about a scary event—it’s about the real people who lived through it, what schools can do to prepare, and why talking about tough moments matters. If you want to know what facing the unimaginable is really like, and how teamwork and family can help you get through anything, don’t miss this story. It’s gripping, heartfelt, and a sobering look at resilience, community, and the lessons learned from tragedy.   Viewer Discretion Advised: This episode contains an unfiltered discussion about a real campus emergency and may not be suitable for younger viewers. There is no graphic or gory content, but the conversation includes emotional and mature themes related to safety and trauma. If you’re a parent, we encourage you to watch this episode together with your child — it’s an important, honest look at how students experience and process difficult events.   View this episode on YouTube at: https://youtu.be/nnDa7Dua2n4 Like what you hear? Drop a review and subscribe to our Podcast Channel.  If you have questions, you can send them to info@c3pathways.com with “Podcast Question” in the subject line.  Check out our websites and learn more about C3 Pathways / NCIER by going to: https://www.c3pathways.com or https://www.ncier.org The Active Shooter Incident Management Podcast is owned by C3 Pathways and NCIER. None of the content presented may be copied, repurposed, or used without the owner’s prior consent.

    43 min
  3. Ep 118: You Use This Everyday

    08/18/2025

    Ep 118: You Use This Everyday

    Today’s episode tackles the question How can first responders get real practice with active shooter incident management—when true incidents are (thankfully) rare in a career? Our panel explores practical strategies for integrating incident management skills into everyday calls and routine events—so you're always prepared, even if you only see a "big one" once in your career. Key highlights: Discover how to build skills by applying active shooter incident management techniques during regular calls (like missing persons, single-patient shootings, or barricaded suspect events).Learn why adopting consistent terminology and roles on low-risk or special event calls (like fairs or football games) builds strong incident command habits.Hear examples of leveraging staging, tactical roles, and unified command in day-to-day operations—on both fire/EMS and law enforcement sides.Find out how these daily practices help responders break down silos, develop relationships, identify training gaps, and get more comfortable with critical incident management tools.Tips on building relationships, practicing rapid triage, and involving all agencies in pre-planning for special events.Even if you respond to routine incidents or planned gatherings, there are constant opportunities to use and strengthen your active shooter response skills. This episode is packed with real-world advice, stories, and actionable ideas you can put to work immediately! View this episode on YouTube at: https://youtu.be/2zABgzQ7Yi0 Like what you hear? Drop a review and subscribe to our Podcast Channel.  If you have questions, you can send them to info@c3pathways.com with “Podcast Question” in the subject line.  Check out our websites and learn more about C3 Pathways / NCIER by going to: https://www.c3pathways.com or https://www.ncier.org The Active Shooter Incident Management Podcast is owned by C3 Pathways and NCIER. None of the content presented may be copied, repurposed, or used without the owner’s prior consent.

    24 min
  4. Ep 117: Managing Uninjured Survivors

    08/04/2025

    Ep 117: Managing Uninjured Survivors

    What happens to the uninjured survivors after an active shooter or mass casualty event? In Episode 117 of the Active Shooter Incident Management podcast, host Bill Godfrey and his team of instructors from the National Center for Integrated Emergency Response dive into the complex challenges faced by responders when managing large crowds of uninjured survivors at outdoor and indoor venues. This discussion covers: Immediate actions law enforcement and EMS must take with panicked, fleeing crowdsTactics for identifying witnesses, potential victims, and bystanders—and why separating these groups is crucialThe importance of security, safe holding areas, and the real-life logistics of "corralling" hundreds of peopleHow to use bystanders and uninjured family members to assist with patient care when resources are scarceDifferences in managing survivors at outdoor parks versus indoor sites like courthouses or schoolsWhy survivors must be shielded not just from physical threats, but also from re-traumatization and the mediaThe power of language: why calling people "survivors" (not "victims") aids recovery and resilienceGaps in current law enforcement training and practical suggestions for improvementIf you're responsible for public safety, emergency preparedness, or support roles during critical incidents—or you want to understand the unseen aspects that make survivor management so difficult—this episode delivers real-world advice, examples, and compassionate strategies for one of the most overlooked elements of crisis response. View this episode on YouTube at: https://youtu.be/KfYRoUeHRz4 Like what you hear? Drop a review and subscribe to our Podcast Channel.  If you have questions, you can send them to info@c3pathways.com with “Podcast Question” in the subject line.  Check out our websites and learn more about C3 Pathways / NCIER by going to: https://www.c3pathways.com or https://www.ncier.org The Active Shooter Incident Management Podcast is owned by C3 Pathways and NCIER. None of the content presented may be copied, repurposed, or used without the owner’s prior consent.

    28 min
  5. Ep 116: Incident Management vs. Tactics

    07/21/2025

    Ep 116: Incident Management vs. Tactics

    Emergency response agencies tend to spend much more time on tactics training—like room clearing or forming rescue teams—than on incident management, which focuses on organizing resources and ensuring everyone works together effectively. The podcast argues that both are equally important and should be integrated, suggesting agencies use small, realistic joint drills with law enforcement, fire, and EMS to build communication skills, clarify roles, and improve overall incident outcomes, rather than keeping these trainings separate or overly complicated. We dive deep into: The differences and importance of tactics vs. incident management training for law enforcement, fire, and EMS.Why agencies often train in silos and how this can leave critical communication and coordination gaps.The need for cross-training—why everyone, from street patrol to senior leadership, should understand both tactical skills and incident management.Practical ways to integrate incident management into everyday tactical drills, including micro-trainings, roll call scenarios, and low-cost, high-impact joint exercises.How better collaboration between law enforcement and fire/EMS during training leads to more effective real-world responses.Overcoming common barriers like scheduling, resource constraints, and leadership buy-in.Whether you’re a first responder, trainer, or agency leader, this episode is packed with actionable insights on building a more resilient, better-prepared team. Don’t wait for a crisis to reveal your training gaps—learn how to bridge them now! View this episode on YouTube at: https://youtu.be/_N9N3pwz72g Like what you hear? Drop a review and subscribe to our Podcast Channel.  If you have questions, you can send them to info@c3pathways.com with “Podcast Question” in the subject line.  Check out our websites and learn more about C3 Pathways / NCIER by going to: https://www.c3pathways.com or https://www.ncier.org The Active Shooter Incident Management Podcast is owned by C3 Pathways and NCIER. None of the content presented may be copied, repurposed, or used without the owner’s prior consent.

    25 min
  6. Ep 115: Outside Threats

    07/07/2025

    Ep 115: Outside Threats

    Episode 115 of the Active Shooter Incident Management Podcast focuses on how first responders deal with active shooter threats that happen outdoors, like at concerts, fairs, parks, or theme parks. The host, Bill Godfrey, talks with experts from law enforcement and fire/EMS about what makes these outdoor incidents different and more challenging than those inside buildings. Main Points: Outdoor active shooter events are harder to manage because there is less cover and the area is much bigger. Responders have to think about where crowds gather, how big the crowd might be, and where an attacker could strike. Planning ahead is very important, including working with venue staff and making sure everyone knows the emergency plan.The team discusses the difficulties of providing cover in outdoor environments that face threats like vehicle ramming or IEDs, highlighting the importance of area denial, physical barriers (such as movable trucks or fire trucks), and deploying quick reaction forces.For fire and EMS, it’s important to figure out how ambulances and rescue teams can get in and out quickly, especially if roads are blocked. They need to work closely with police to make sure they can reach injured people quickly. Pre-planning and walkthroughs with all agencies help everyone be ready.Communication between police, fire, EMS, and event staff is critical. Different agencies sometimes use the same words to mean different things, so misunderstandings in terminology can lead to confusion during a crisis. Regular joint training and briefings are recommendedIf an attack happens at a place that wasn’t planned for in advance, like a busy park, it’s even more difficult. Officers have to find the attacker quickly in a large, open space with lots of people running around. Most police officers who get hurt in these situations are injured outside, often while approaching the scene.When the shooting stops and a "warm zone" is established, RTFs must move in quickly to treat and evacuate victims, relying on law enforcement for security. Even if they don’t know if the attacker is still there, they have to act quickly because “known bleeding doesn’t stop for unknown threats.” The goal is to save lives as fast as possible, even when the threat location is uncertain.In summary, while the fundamental response process remains the same, outdoor active shooter incidents require more complex planning and better communication, coordination, and adaptability because of increased exposure and unpredictability.  View this episode on YouTube at: https://youtu.be/Mg5qDMnIuOo Like what you hear? Drop a review and subscribe to our Podcast Channel.  If you have questions, you can send them to info@c3pathways.com with “Podcast Question” in the subject line.  Check out our websites and learn more about C3 Pathways / NCIER by going to: https://www.c3pathways.com or https://www.ncier.org The Active Shooter Incident Management Podcast is owned by C3 Pathways and NCIER. None of the content presented may be copied, repurposed, or used without the owner’s prior consent.

    25 min
  7. Ep 114: What is an Active Threat?

    06/23/2025

    Ep 114: What is an Active Threat?

    In this episode, our hosts dive into what truly defines an "active threat," focusing on scenarios like active shooter events and the critical decisions first responders must make in real time. They discuss how to recognize when a threat is still actively causing harm versus when the situation shifts and responders need to quickly transition from pursuing the attacker to providing lifesaving care to victims. The conversation highlights the importance of situational awareness, explaining that if responders continue searching for a threat after the danger has passed, it can delay medical help and cost lives. The episode also covers the challenges law enforcement faces in recognizing these transition points, the impact of training and communication, and why understanding the difference between an active threat and a cleared scene is crucial for saving lives during high-stress incidents Key Points Covered Defining “Active” in Active Threats The episode explores what it truly means for a threat to be “active,” emphasizing that it’s not just about someone having committed violence, but whether there is ongoing danger—such as an attacker still actively causing harm.Transition from Active Threat to Rescue Mode The team discusses the critical moment when responders must shift focus: when the immediate threat is no longer present, the priority must move from neutralizing the attacker to rescuing and treating the injured.Stimulus and Response Responders are trained to move rapidly toward the source of danger (the “stimulus”), bypassing injured victims if necessary to stop the threat. Once there’s no longer evidence of active killing, responders must quickly transition to rescue operations.Operational Indicators A practical tip: if responders are moving past doorways and not stopping, they’re still in “active threat” mode. When they begin clearing rooms or pausing at doors, it’s often a sign the threat is no longer active, and priorities should shift accordingly.The Importance of Communication and Manpower The episode highlights the need for clear communication and sufficient resources. Multiple teams may be required to handle both threat neutralization and rescue at the same time, depending on manpower.Mindset Shift for Law Enforcement The hosts stress the importance of changing the traditional law enforcement mindset—recognizing that once the active killing stops, saving lives through rapid rescue becomes just as urgent as stopping the attacker.Why This Matters Understanding what constitutes an “active threat” is crucial for first responders, as it directly impacts how they prioritize their actions during critical incidents. The episode provides actionable insights for law enforcement, fire, and EMS professionals to improve response effectiveness and save more lives. View this episode on YouTube at: https://youtu.be/TfqpsDgg21g Like what you hear? Drop a review and subscribe to our Podcast Channel.  If you have questions, you can send them to info@c3pathways.com with “Podcast Question” in the subject line.  Check out our websites and learn more about C3 Pathways / NCIER by going to: https://www.c3pathways.com or https://www.ncier.org The Active Shooter Incident Management Podcast is owned by C3 Pathways and NCIER. None of the content presented may be copied, repurposed, or used without the owner’s prior consent.

    26 min
  8. Ep 113: What Is Your Mission?

    06/09/2025

    Ep 113: What Is Your Mission?

    In today’s episode our panel dives into the essential mission for all responders—law enforcement, fire, and EMS—when confronting an active shooter event. The discussion centers on understanding and executing the three core priorities that define a successful response: 1. Deal with the Active Threat The immediate mission for law enforcement is to neutralize the threat—stop the shooter and end the active killing. This requires rapid assessment of where the threat is, what’s driving it, and decisive action to intervene.2. Rescue the Injured Once the active threat is under control, the focus must shift quickly to rescuing and treating the wounded. Stopping the killing and stopping the dying are inseparable: you need to save every life possible by getting medical care to victims as soon as possible. This phase requires strong integration and communication between law enforcement and fire/EMS, often through rescue task forces entering warm zones.3. Clear and Secure the Scene The third priority is to clear the facility to ensure there are no further threats and to locate any additional victims. This involves methodically searching the area, setting up casualty collection points, and preparing for potential secondary threats. These priorities are interconnected and often need to be addressed simultaneously, depending on available resources.Key Insights: Success isn’t just about apprehending the suspect; it’s about saving lives and restoring safety as quickly as possible.Responders must constantly ask, “What is the threat to life right now?”—is it the shooter or is it the clock?The ability to “shift gears” between priorities and to work as an integrated team is critical. Law enforcement, fire, and EMS must train together and understand each other’s roles to ensure seamless operations.Takeaway: Every responder at an active shooter event must understand that the mission is not just a single task but a coordinated effort to stop the threat, save the injured, and secure the scene. Understanding these priorities, and the ability to adapt as the situation evolves, is crucial for protecting lives and ensuring the best possible outcome for everyone involved. Like what you hear? Drop a review and subscribe to our Podcast Channel.  If you have questions, you can send them to info@c3pathways.com with “Podcast Question” in the subject line.  Check out our websites and learn more about C3 Pathways / NCIER by going to: https://www.c3pathways.com or https://www.ncier.org The Active Shooter Incident Management Podcast is owned by C3 Pathways and NCIER. None of the content presented may be copied, repurposed, or used without the owner’s prior consent.

    23 min
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4.7
out of 5
15 Ratings

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This C3 Pathways Podcast series discusses Active Shooter Incident Management (ASIM). The Podcast features instructors and special guests discussing key elements and challenges of Active Shooter Incident Management and the implications for law enforcement, fire, and EMS responders. The bad guy and the clock both kill innocent victims. Don't miss the opportunity to gain key insights that may help you save lives!

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