Which of the following is NOT a stage in the Five Stages of an Active Shooter Incident?

The Five Stages of an Active Shooter Incident framework typically identifies distinct phases that an active shooter event progresses through. Understanding these stages can help in preparedness and response planning.

The preparation stage refers to the time when the potential attacker is developing their plan, acquiring weapons, and considering targets. This is a crucial phase as it underscores the importance of early detection and intervention measures that can potentially disrupt the attack before it occurs.

The fantasy stage is where the perpetrator may fantasize about committing the act. This reflects their internal thought process and the potential signals that can be missed if not monitored closely. Recognizing this stage can also aid in preventive measures through awareness and intervention.

The implementation stage involves the actual execution of the attack, where the shooter carries out their plan. Understanding what occurs during this phase is vital for law enforcement and emergency responders in optimizing their response strategies during such critical incidents.

In contrast, the evaluation stage is not recognized as an official part of this framework. While evaluating the situation and responding accordingly is important for law enforcement, it does not form a distinct phase of the active shooter incident itself. Instead, evaluation is generally integrated into response and post-incident analysis, which may follow the implementation stage. This distinction clarifies why the evaluation stage is not