5 Steps to Prepare for an Active Shooter Scenario at Your Property

Building a proactive safety culture with the knowledge and tools ensures your ready when emergency strikes at, or near, your hotel.

For many, church is a sanctuary — a place of worship, community, and peace. But last week in Detroit, that peace was shattered when a gunman drove into a church and opened fire shortly after Sunday-morning service began, as seen in chilling livestream footage. Thanks to the quick, heroic actions of staff, a potential mass tragedy was narrowly averted.

Unfortunately, violent events like this one are not totally isolated in nature; if anything, active shooter situations appear fixed upon an alarmingly upward long-term trajectory. The FBI reports that the 2020–2024 period saw a 70% increase in incidents compared to the previous five-year span. According to the Mass Shooting Tracker – a database of U.S. mass shootings that defines “mass shooting” as a single outburst of violence in which four or more people are shot – there have been 221 mass shootings so far this year.

Hotels, with their open access and public nature, are particularly vulnerable to acts of violence. Earlier this month, a deadly shooting in front of the Bellagio fountains left two victims dead while livestreaming on YouTube. In Atlanta, a man armed with multiple weapons fired at least 15 rounds from a Four Seasons balcony during a standoff, and in Minnesota, a hotel clerk was killed in an active shooter incident — tragic reminders of the real dangers hotels can face.

Given these risks, hotels have a legal and ethical duty of care to protect both employees and guests. This includes developing crisis and active shooter response plans, along with training staff to respond quickly, protect themselves, and ensure guest safety.

So how can hotels and other public venues take proactive, meaningful steps to create a culture of safety and prepare for such emergencies?

1. Shift from Reactive Measures to Proactive Preparedness

The first step in fostering a proactive safety culture? Acknowledging the risks before they happen.

Too often, hotels focus on reactive measures (responding to incidents after they occur), rather than prioritizing prevention. But the reality is, true emergency preparedness isn’t just a box to check – it’s a mindset/culture shift across the organization. The foundation of proactive preparedness starts with recognizing potential vulnerabilities and creating clear, actionable protocols to address them. 

This means equipping staff with the knowledge and the tools they need to respond effectively in high-pressure situations, fostering open communication, and regularly reviewing and updating safety plans to ensure they align with evolving risks.

Mobile-first emergency preparedness tools are especially integral in this context, as these platforms empower staff to access critical information and resources in real time. The volatile and panic-inducing nature of active shooter scenarios requires tools that can facilitate instant, discrete communication amongst staff members, immediate access to evacuation routes and safety resources, and location tracking and incident mapping to provide real-time updates on the situation’s dynamics. 

By investing in modern preparedness tools and cultivating a culture where safety is prioritized, organizations empower their teams to take decisive action before a situation escalates, saving precious seconds when every moment counts.

2. Equip Your Staff with Comprehensive Training

Knowledge is power, especially in high-stakes situations. Providing your team with comprehensive training on emergency response protocols is one of the most critical components of preparedness. And if you have more than 10 employees, OSHA requires that you have a written Emergency Action Plan (EAP). 

While OSHA doesn’t currently require active shooter protocols in EAPs, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and OSHA both recommend including workplace violence and active shooter response procedures as part of an overall emergency preparedness strategy.

This training should include clear, step-by-step guidance for responding to threats of violence, ensuring staff members know exactly what to do in moments of crisis. And don’t forget – training doesn’t have to be (nor should it be) overwhelming or complicated. Emergency preparedness tools are not only designed to make it easy for staff to learn, retain, and execute protocols, they also exist to keep teams accountable by logging training progress and documenting/analyzing scenario response.

3. Implement Technology that Simplifies De-escalation

De-escalation is a vital skill in active shooter scenarios, as it can prevent violence from escalating further. Technology now plays a key role in this area, offering embedded protocols that provide clear instructions (as well as detailed audio guides, if needed) for effectively managing and de-escalating dangerous situations. These tools not only protect guests and employees but also reinforce a critical sense of calm and control during emergencies.

4. Conduct Regular Drills and Simulations

Preparation + practice make for true preparedness. Regular drills and simulations ensure that safety protocols are not just theoretical but ingrained in the daily operations of a property, and allow properties to identify gaps in their plans and make necessary adjustments.

Mobile emergency preparedness solutions are designed to make it easy for staff to learn by incorporating training modules and simulation scenarios. This allows staff to practice their responses in a controlled environment so they can stay familiar with emergency procedures and increase their efficacy in responding to real-life scenarios. 

5. Prioritize Post-Incident Wellness Resources

Violent events are extremely traumatic, and can leave lasting emotional and psychological scars on all those involved. Providing mental health and wellness resources is a crucial yet often overlooked component of emergency preparedness.

Organizations that prioritize recovery and post-incident care not only support their teams’ well-being but also strengthen trust and loyalty with guests and employees alike. This commitment to recovery demonstrates that safety extends beyond the immediate crisis, encompassing the long-term health of everyone involved.

A Responsibility the Hospitality Industry Can’t Ignore

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it time and time again: no awards are given for hesitation when it comes to emergency preparedness. As active shooter incidents continue to pose a growing threat, the need for proactive safety measures and modern preparedness technology in the hospitality industry has never been greater. 

Building a proactive safety culture that prioritizes prevention, equips staff with training and tools, and supports recovery is no longer optional. It’s a moral imperative and a business necessity. 

No perfect response is currently available, but you should begin taking steps to avoid violent situations and minimize the risk to your property.
About the Author

Vanessa G. Osbourne is the Founder and CEO of Smart Emergency Solutions LLC, where she leads the development of innovative safety technologies for the hospitality industry. A recognized problem-solving expert, Vanessa previously served as Senior Manager of Technology Enterprise Data Architecture at Shell, where her safety protocols helped prevent chemical incidents and resulted in a daily operational value savings of $3M.

With 15+ years of leadership experience at global organizations including Baker Hughes and Hewlett-Packard, Vanessa brings exceptional technical expertise to hospitality safety challenges. Her contributions have earned multiple recognitions, including the Failure Analysis-Problem Solver Achievement Award, a top Lean Practitioner, and the Black Engineer Excellence Award.

Vanessa holds an engineering degree from Oakland University, a master’s from Dallas Theological Seminary, and certifications as an AWS Solutions Architect and Six Sigma Lean Professional. She serves on the board of the Lanterns for Light Foundation and actively mentors women in the technology sector.

Her flagship innovation, Smart Hotel Manager, transforms hotel emergency preparedness through purpose-built technology developed in collaboration with industry leaders.