In the wake of the tragic Columbine High School shooting in April 1999, a police officer named Mike Thompson had an epiphany. He sat grappling with the grim reality captured on video, realizing that despite extensive training, law enforcement officers would not reach the scene in time to save lives. Thompson, who served in the local police department, was particularly affected because his wife was the principal at the elementary school their children attended.
“When I asked my wife how she was trained to respond to an emergency like an active shooter, her answer was to ‘hide and wait for help,’” Thompson recounted. That moment ignited a passion within him to create a proactive approach to safety in schools.
Recognizing that it typically takes law enforcement about five to six minutes to respond to these situations, Thompson pondered how children could be equipped to make critical decisions that might save their lives. He reached out to fellow officers and began researching existing programs that could aid students and teachers in protecting themselves. However, he found that no such training existed, leading to the creation of ALICE.
ALICE, which stands for Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, and Evacuate, became the first program in the U.S. to offer an option-based response to an active shooter entering a building. Initially dubbed “LICE,” it was quickly renamed after Thompson’s wife humorously pointed out that a lice program would not be well received in schools. In early 2001, Thompson and his team made their first presentation.
The ALICE program empowers students with multiple options tailored to their situations. The steps outlined are not sequential; rather, they emphasize the importance of using whatever means necessary to ensure personal safety.
- Alert: Recognizing potential threats through sensory awareness or official announcements.
- Lockdown: Although often viewed as a traditional measure, lockdown remains an important option depending on the circumstances.
- Inform: Keeping individuals updated through real-time communications, including cameras and PA systems.
- Counter: Engaging in distraction tactics, like throwing objects, to divert a shooter’s focus—this is not about causing harm, but about creating a diversion.
- Evacuate: Moving away from danger, as being a moving target significantly decreases the chances of being hit.
Initially met with skepticism, ALICE faced challenges in gaining acceptance due to its deviation from traditional lockdown practices. Thompson explained, “Lockdowns make sense when the threat is outside. Once a shooter is inside, they assume control.” However, the tragic Amish school shooting in 2006 and the Virginia Tech incident in 2007 catalyzed a shift in perception, leading to a surge of interest in ALICE training among law enforcement and schools.
Now, ALICE has reached over 3,400 school districts across the U.S., and more than 4,000 police departments have adopted the program. One such district is the Willow Creek School District in Pennsylvania, where Principal Sarah Wells emphasized that ALICE training is a valuable life skill applicable beyond school. “Our students feel empowered and ready to act in emergencies,” she noted.
A sixth-grader from Willow Creek, Emily Johnson, expressed her newfound confidence: “ALICE training makes me feel strong, and I know what to do if there’s danger at school.” Thompson finds these testimonials to be the most rewarding aspect of his work.
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In summary, ALICE Training offers a proactive approach to school safety, empowering students to make decisions that can save their lives in the event of an active shooter. With growing acceptance and implementation, the program has the potential to significantly enhance the safety and preparedness of students across the nation.