Which of the following is an example of a human-instigated critical incident?

• A. Hurricanes, Tornadoes, Floods and Wildfires
• B. Earthquakes
• C. Severe Weather Alerts
• D. Active Shooter Events, Hazardous Material Spills, or Bomb Threats

Answer: (D)

Human-instigated critical incidents are events caused by people’s actions rather than by natural forces. In a correctional setting, active shooter events, hazardous material spills, or bomb threats fit this because they arise from deliberate or negligent human actions and require immediate, coordinated responses to protect staff and inmates. Natural disasters like hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, and wildfires come from weather or environmental processes, not human actions. Earthquakes are another natural event, and severe weather alerts are warnings about potential conditions rather than incidents triggered by people. So the scenario that lists active shooter events, hazardous material spills, or bomb threats best represents a human-instigated critical incident.