Law enforcement officers and agencies are frequently requested by schools, businesses, and community members for direction and presentations on what they should do if confronted with an active shooter event. The Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events (CRASE) course, designed and built on the Avoid, Deny, Defend (ADD) strategy developed by ALERRT in 2004, provides strategies, guidance, and a proven plan for surviving an active shooter event. Topics include the history and prevalence of active shooter events, civilian response options, medical issues, and considerations for conducting drills.
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What is the difference between "Avoid Deny Defend" and "Run Hide Fight?"
Many schools and businesses prefer the terminology of Avoid Deny Defend, because it is more in line with their human resources department and educational standards. They believe that "Avoid" is a more palatable word than "Run," because "Run" disenfranchises those who are unable to physically run. "Deny," as in denying access to your location, is a stronger word than "Hide." And while "Fight" is an action that is forbidden on most school campuses, "Defend" is a last resort safeguard, a right and an opportunity to guard against life threatening action. Ultimately, whichever plan you use, we encourage you to have a plan - and be aware of your surroundings, be safe and know that What You Do Matters.
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What about hiding under desks?
Whether you live or die while playing dead is a matter of chance. In many events, the shooters shoot people who are down in order to make sure that they are dead. We never advise it as a primary strategy. This video is Kristina Anderson describing what happened to her at Virginia Tech. What she doesn't say is that she was shot 2 more times when the shooter came back in the room. There might be a time where playing dead for a second can work - Like Natalie Hammond at Sandy Hook - she got shot, went down and played dead as the shooter walked by and then dragged herself into a room to barricade up. There is a case study in Chapter 8 of our book, Active Shooter Events Response, about Virginia Tech which shows that the rooms that played dead had much higher fatality rates.
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Who can attend a CRASE class?
Anyone.
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How much does it cost to attend the course?
The course is FREE