Show Notes
Episode 203. The First 30 Seconds: Ed Monk on the Time & Math of Stopping Active Shooters
In this powerful conversation from the NRA Annual Meeting in Houston, Alex Ooley sits down with Ed Monk, author of First 30 Seconds and founder of Last Resort Firearms Training, for a no-nonsense discussion on active shooter response.
Ed breaks down the cold, unforgiving reality of “time and math” in active shooter events: the average attacker shoots a new victim every 3–5 seconds in the critical first minute. That means the difference between single-digit casualties and double-digit tragedies is often decided in the first 30 seconds.
Drawing from decades of military experience, years of research into past attacks, and real-world hero stories, Ed explains why the standard “Run, Hide, Fight” model gets it backwards — and why the correct order for those who are able must be Fight, Flee, Barricade.
He dismantles common myths about hardening buildings, metal detectors, school resource officers, and waiting for police, while showing what actually works: having willing, present, and capable people ready to stop the threat immediately.
Whether you’re a school administrator, church leader, business owner, or armed citizen, this episode delivers uncomfortable but life-saving truths about turning the odds in favor of the victims instead of the attacker.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Active Shooter Training and Background
05:10 The Military and Educational Perspective on Violence
11:22 Transitioning from Research to Public Speaking
12:30 The First 30 Seconds: Overview of the Book
17:18 Understanding the Time and Math Problem in Active Shooter Situations
27:39 Heroes in Action: Real-Life Examples of Courage
32:04 The Math of Violence: Understanding Active Shooter Dynamics
35:37 Planning for the Worst: Accepting Reality in Active Shooter Scenarios
41:14 Rethinking Response: Fight, Flee, or Barricade?
48:50 Empowering Educators: The Role of Teachers in Crisis Management
Resources
Last Resort Firearms Training –
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057584853533
Book Website – https://first30-seconds.com
Episode 134 of Forge of Freedom
https://forgeoffreedom.com/episode-134-active-shooter-response-with-ed-monk/
Email – Edmonk@aol.com
Keywords
Active Shooter, Response Time, Firearms Training, School Safety, Violence Prevention, First 30 Seconds, Emergency Preparedness, Law Enforcement, Security Strategies
Transcript
2026-04-18 Episode 203. The First 30 Seconds_ Ed Monk on the Time & Math of Stopping Active Shooters
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