Running amok

     "Awareness is key," reminds Rugala. "You can bet after Sully Sullenberger landed that US Airways jet in the Hudson River, people [began to pay] better attention to where the exit rows are. Whereas before people got complacent, now everyone's listening."

     The same goes for active shooter control. It's a global challenge, but the rewards of global collaboration to counteract active shooters and Amok-runs are immense. It's necessary that law enforcement coordinate changing tactics in order to better function and to keep people alive.

     "It sounds simple", says Niebergall, "but many simple things are not accomplished because many people want to run before they can walk."

     With the help of Meyer and Team One, Niebergall hopes to provide officers with a good base, so operations continue to gain strength in the future. He says training is the easy part; much harder — and the main point of any Amok or active shooter training — is reaching the officer's mind and heart; because "they are the only people who can give a commitment after training," says Niebergall.

     "They are the only ones who realize that nothing is behind them and they are the last station between life and death. In former times they were forced to stay out and do nothing and wait for SWAT.

     "This paradigm has changed."