What is the immediate course of action for a Security Forces member upon discovering an active shooter situation?

Engaging the threat is considered the immediate course of action because, in an active shooter situation, every second counts, and the priority is to minimize harm to potential victims. The premise behind this response is to neutralize the shooter as quickly as possible to prevent further injury and loss of life. This proactive approach is supported by various law enforcement and security training protocols, which emphasize that effective intervention can significantly alter the outcome of such incidents.

While other responses involve critical actions like evacuation or calling for backup, in an active shooter scenario, taking immediate action against the threat is paramount. Those approaches could lead to potential delays in addressing the immediate danger, which may allow the shooter to continue their attack. Therefore, the focus on directly engaging the threat when safely possible aligns with best practices for security forces responding to such critical incidents.