Obey “ALICE” rules in active shooter situation

When two police experts conducted an active shooter survival program Saturday in Tamaqua, they referred to a set of rules using the acronym “ALICE.”

The program was held at Trinity United Church of Christ in Tamaqua, with about 75 people attending.

Rich Weaver, retired chief of police in Tamaqua, said he and his brother Ty utilized information from the Website www.ready.gov, which is provided by the Office of Homeland Security.

The acronym ALICE stands for alert, lockdown, inform, counter and evacuate.

They said alert is your first notification of danger.

Lockdown means to barricade the room. Also, prepare to evacuate and counter if needed.

Inform is to communicate the violent intruder’s location and direction in real time.

Counter is to create noise, movement, distance and distraction with the intent of reducing the shooter’s ability to shoot accurately. Counter is not fighting, they said.

Evacuate is to remove yourself from the danger zone when it’s safe to do so.