Active Shooter Response Plan: What Hawaii Organizations Get Wrong (and How to Fix It)

CrisisWire
Dec 31
2 min read

Active shooter response plan searches are spiking in Hawaii as schools, hospitals, and businesses prepare for 2026 drills and compliance audits. With isolated campuses and tourist-heavy venues, Hawaii organizations can't afford reactive plans—prevention and response must be integrated.

With over 40 years of experience—including LAPD service, U.S. Embassy Baghdad security, former Director of Campus Safety at Chaminade University of Honolulu, and current State of Hawaii Safety Specialist—I’ve conducted more than 2,400 assessments. Watch this short CrisisWire Services Overview Video to see how layered plans save lives.

Here’s what Hawaii gets wrong about active shooter response—and how to fix it:

1. Relying Only on "Run-Hide-Fight" Without Customization

The DHS model is solid, but generic plans fail island-specific needs like evacuation routes across multiple buildings. FBI analysis shows tailored protocols reduce response time by minutes. Build a Hawaii-ready plan with the Active Shooter Response Plan template.

2. Ignoring Behavioral Prevention Integration

Most plans focus on reaction, missing BTAM to stop threats early. U.S. Secret Service guidelines prove pre-incident intervention averts 91% of attacks. Combine prevention with the BTAM Starter Kit for Hawaii.

3. Poor Communication and Reunification

Plans often overlook parent notifications, media handling, and safe reunions—critical in Hawaii's spread-out communities. DHS resources stress multi-channel comms.

Streamline with the School Emergency Action Plan template.

4. Skipping Regular Drills and Debriefs

Annual drills alone aren't enough; debriefs reveal gaps. OSHA and ASIS standards require post-drill reviews for continuous improvement. Document every drill using the Incident Report Forms packet.

5. Neglecting Insider Threat Training

Many overlook staff/visitor insiders. Executive protection insights highlight insider risks in high-stakes environments. Address this with The Prepared Leader on Amazon for leadership-focused training.

Resources to Implement Today

Start with foundational tools: BTAM Starter Kit for Hawaii (digital bundle)
Response templates: Active Shooter Response Plan and School Emergency Action Plan
Expert reading: The Prepared Leader and Threat Assessment Handbook on Amazon

Ready to update your plan? Call 1-808-999-0544 or schedule a consultation.

Warren Pulley BTAM-Certified Threat Assessment Expert CrisisWire Threat Management Solutions Ewa Beach, Oahu • Serving All Hawaiian Islands

Phone: 1-808-999-0544

Email: crisiswire@proton.me

Schedule: calendly.com/crisiswire-proton Website: bit.ly/crisiswire

Important Note Content is authored by Warren Pulley, Hawaii’s only BTAM-certified threat assessment consultant with 40+ years of experience and over 2,400 assessments conducted. Information is aligned with U.S. Secret Service, DHS, OSHA, and Joint Commission guidelines and provided for educational purposes only. It does not constitute professional advice, and threat assessment requires individualized evaluation—consult a qualified CrisisWire expert for your specific needs. CrisisWire assumes no liability for reliance on this material.