When Seconds Matter: Greg Pass on Active Assailant Preparedness 10 Years After San Bernardino

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Amazon Music | RSS

In this episode, host Rob Burton is joined by Greg Pass, a retired law enforcement lieutenant and nationally recognized expert in active assailant preparedness, organizational security, and high-risk incident response.

Marking ten years since the 2015 San Bernardino terrorist attack, Rob and Greg reflect on the critical lessons learned from that event and examine how the active assailant threat has evolved over the past decade. The conversation is grounded in real-world experience, survivor research, and current trends, including recent incidents that underscore how unpredictable and widespread these threats have become.

Greg shares insights from his career in law enforcement, his work interviewing survivors of mass attacks around the world, and his role supporting victims through the VTV Family Outreach Foundation. Together, they explore:

• What went wrong—and what went right—during the San Bernardino response
• How denial and confusion impact civilian reactions during attacks
• Changes in attacker behavior, including the rise in assailants fleeing scenes
• Gaps in preparedness for businesses, schools, and public agencies
• Why basic planning, training, and coordination matter more than expensive technology
• Practical steps organizations can take now to improve readiness, from tabletop exercises to simple building walkthroughs
• The importance of collaboration between businesses and first responders before a crisis occurs

This episode is a practical, no-nonsense discussion for business leaders, public agencies, educators, and anyone responsible for the safety of people and facilities. The takeaway is clear: preparedness does not mean paranoia—but failing to prepare is no longer an option.

Subscribe to the PreparedEx Newsletter.