The Protocol & Playbook
In 2020-2021, we interviewed mayors, first responders, and other experts who responded to mass shootings in Orlando, Dayton, El Paso, Pittsburgh, Parkland, and San Bernardino. Based on their experiences, combined with federal resources, we created the Mass Shooting Protocol & Playbook to help local leaders prepare for, and respond to, a mass shooting.
Case Briefs
Case Brief: Dayton Oregon District Shooting (Ohio)
Case Brief: El Paso Walmart Shooting (Texas)
Case Brief: Orlando Pulse Nightclub Shooting (Florida)
Case Brief: Parkland School Shooting (Florida)
Case Brief: Pittsburgh Tree of Life Shooting (Pennsylvania)
Case Brief: San Bernardino Terrorist Attack (California)
Mass Shooting Protocol
The Protocol highlights the key decisions a leader needs to make immediately following a mass shooting. It contains a checklist and links to the Playbook for access to detailed information. To download the Protocol, click here.
Mass Shooting Playbook
The Playbook is a comprehensive resource that covers a leader’s primary responsibilities. It is divided into the three phases of a mass shooting: preparedness, response, and recovery.
To read the Playbook online, click here. Note: the Playbook can be downloaded into a Kindle app for future reference.
Printing: the Playbook is a 200-page file. This link can be used to print on demand.
To purchase a professionally printed Playbook (three-hole-punched) at cost, click here.
Links to the individual Playbook chapters and appendices are below:
Chapter 1: Communications
Strategies for engaging with the press, social media management, and developing trauma-informed messaging
Chapter 2: Emergency Management
Operationalizing the emergency response to a mass shooting through municipal preparedness plans and systems
Chapter 3: Victim and Family Assistance
Key considerations for providing services to victims and their families
Chapter 4: Collaborating with Law Enforcement
Best practices for effective engagement with law enforcement agencies
Chapter 5: Donations & Volunteer Management
Best practices for establishing the victims’ fund and managing volunteers
Chapter 6: School Shootings
Issues and resources specific to school shootings, including school security considerations and student mental health and wellness
Chapter 7: Community Partnerships
Strategies for engaging local and national partners in the preparation, response, and recovery phases (especially important for victims’ services)
Chapter 8: Legal Considerations
Issues that should be reviewed by the city’s attorneys to reduce potential liability
Chapter 9: Commemorations
Guidance for commemorating the victims, planning permanent memorials, and preserving artifacts
Chapter 10: Mental Health
Information and resources related to trauma recovery and community resilience
Afterword: A Note About Community Gun Violence
Appendix A: Training and Preparedness Recommendations
Appendix B: Managing VIP Visits
Appendix C: Funding Opportunities
Appendix D: To Prevent Mass Killings, Prevent Suicides
Appendix E: Additional Resources from the National Mass Violence Victimization Resource Center