Analyzing Active Threat Response Models: A Comparative Study

Founded in 2002 with principles strongly guided by the Christian faith, Strategos International comprises a team of over 500 contracted security specialists who provide reality-based training, consulting, and protection services across the globe for businesses, military, law enforcement, health care, schools, insurance companies, and churches.

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Its article, Analyzing Active Threat Response Models: A Comparative Study, summarizes various recommendations of how to act in the event of an active killer situation.

[ Read the SemperVerus article, A List of Active Killer Incidents at Houses of Worship and Religious Schools ]

Strategos describes its white paper as “an in-depth comparative analysis of active threat response models, focusing on the RUN, HIDE, FIGHT methodology, the A.L.I.C.E. response model, the A.D.D. (Avoid, Deny, Defend) approach, and the Strategos 3-OUT (Lock Out, Get Out, Take Out) Response Model. The objective analysis—grounded in research and real-world outcomes—evaluates each model’s effectiveness, flexibility, and applicability across varied situations. Key findings highlight differences in approach, training requirements, and situational responsiveness, underscoring the need for adaptable, comprehensive strategies to enhance safety and preparedness.”

[ Read the SemperVerus article, Chart: The Spectrum of Potential Threat Personas in Self-Defense and Church Security ]

The models examined are:

•  RUN, HIDE, FIGHT: A linear model emphasizing sequential actions starting with evacuation as the preferred option.
•  A.L.I.C.E.: Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate—proactive, information-driven strategies.
•  A.D.D. (Avoid, Deny, Defend): Avoid the attacker, deny access, defend as last resort.
•  Strategos 3-OUT: Principle-based, non-linear; Lock Out, Get Out, Take Out for dynamic, situational decision-making.

[ Read the SemperVerus article, Lessons in Situational Awareness from Columbo ]

Strategos recommends its own 3-OUT Response Model “as the most effective and versatile strategy due to its flexibility, non-linear structure, and validation through extensive training and real-world application.”

[ Read the SemperVerus article, Self-Defense and Church Security Lessons by John Correia Reviewing an Attempted Carjacking ]

Strategos’ 3-OUT model consists of:
LOCK OUT: Secure yourself by locking or barricading; especially effective when evacuation isn’t safe/feasible.
GET OUT: Evacuate quickly and safely if you have a clear, accessible route to minimize exposure.
TAKE OUT: As a last resort, actively counter/disrupt the attacker if you cannot safely Lock Out or Get Out.

Read the full article here.

[ Read the SemperVerus article, Tactical Training for Individuals and Church Security Teams to Thwart Active Violence Incidents ]

A fifth model not covered by Strategos in its white paper is MOVE! ESCAPE OR ATTACK, described in the Police1 article, Why ‘Move! Escape or Attack’ is Superior to ‘Run, Hide, Fight’ and it’s previous article, Why ‘Run, Hide, Fight’ is Flawed.

[ Read the SemperVerus article, Decision-Making Under Stress—19 Factors to Consider ]

And to simplify the decision-making process under extreme stress of an active violence incident, a sixth model, valued by SemperVerus, is reduced to MOVE / ATTACK, where “move” includes “getting off the X” (not freezing in place) as well as looking for ways to escape the threat while you’re moving, and, if necessary, looking for ways to “attack” the threat that includes defensive responses as well as aggressive offensive tactics.

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