Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events (CRASE) Train the Trainer Course

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. Participants in this four‑hour Train-the-Trainer course will receive a manual and Power Point presentation suitable for use in their own presentations.

• 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.
• 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.
• What is the CRASE course?
  The 4hr course certifies Local and State LE as instructors. The certification allows those officers to go out into their communities and deliver strategies for surviving Active Shooter Events. ALERRT uses the Avoid Deny Defend concept. The presentations officers provide are provide at no cost to the participants.
• How does an agency bring the CRASE course to their city?
  Go to the ALERRT website and fill out a hosting request.
• How much does it cost to attend the course?
  In most cases there is no cost for the officers who attend the training or to the agency hosting the class, as this course is funded through several state and federal entities.
• How does someone outside of LE, such as schools and businesses get the training?
  Contact your state or local LE agency for available certified ALERRT CRASE instructors, or contact ALERRT via email for possible instructors.

Important Information Reguarding the Use of ALERRT's AVOID, DENY, DEFEND Material and Presentations

Individuals Are Not Authorized To Sell, Charge or Otherwise Profit from instructing or presenting the Avoid Deny Defend® protocol to the community.

Successfully completing the Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT)® Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events (CRASE) Train the Trainer course does not allow participants to certify other law enforcement professions or individual as CRASE instructors. CRASE participants and others who learn the Avoid-Deny-Defend® protocol are authorized to deliver this information through their agencies or in a volunteer capacity, and are not allowed or authorized to sell, charge or otherwise profit from instructing or presenting the ALERRT® CRASE course material and/or Avoid Deny Defend®. This training was developed and delivered through federal and state grant funds, and cannot be used for profit or income by end users. ALERRT® and Avoid Deny Defend® are registered trademarks owned by Texas State University and the Texas State University System. The content of all ALERRT courses are copyright protected and are the intellectual property of ALERRT at Texas State University. Any for-profit or commercial use of vital information without express written permission of the ALERRT Center at Texas State University is punishable under intellectual property laws and the US Criminal Code provisions.