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Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events (CRASE)

What is Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events Training?

The Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training organization (ALERRT) made up of representatives from the Texas State University, the San Marcos Police Department, and the Hays County Sheriff’s Office came into existence as a direct result of the Columbine High School tragedy in 1999. This incident demonstrated a need for increased training for first responders and civilians alike in active shooter response. Since its inception in 2002, the ALERRT organization has become a national leader in civilian response to active shooter events (CRASE) training. In 2013 the FBI adopted their model and began providing “train the trainer” courses nationwide for law enforcement personnel. The program is designed around the simple acronym ADD which stands for AVOID, DENY, and DEFEND.

In 2008 representatives from the Columbia Police Department became subject matter experts in this program and have since been offering this valuable training to civilians city-wide. CPD personnel reinforce the ADD acronym through offering several unique blocks of instruction. These stand-alone training blocks can be taught independent of each other or as a collective whole depending on the needs and interest of those requesting the training.

Who can request training?

This training is available to any business, house of worship, school, or other venue located within the City of Columbia. If interested in applying, please contact Captain E. M. Marsh at (803)545-3540 or [email protected]  for more details on how we can meet your training needs.

Is there a cost for this training?

No! This training is offered as a public service to our community and as such this training is completely free. Given the demand for this training, we will make every effort to accommodate as many requests as possible realizing we may not be able to meet all requests.

What training blocks are available?

We offer several training blocks designed to reinforce the ADD acronym to include:

  • Power Point Lecture (pre-requisite to the other blocks)
  • Hands-on First-Aid
  • Scenario Based Training
  • Safety Assessment Walk-through of your Facility

These training blocks are designed as stand-alone blocks that can be taught independent of each other or as a collective whole depending on the needs of the requesting entity. Note however that the lecture block is a pre-requisite to the other blocks (with the exception of the safety walk-through) as it provides a much needed foundation. Each block is approximately one hour in length with the full course taking four to five hours to complete. If scheduling is an issue, we can arrange to present blocks on multiple dates. We are limited only by staff availability and your schedule.

Where does the training occur?

Believing learning is maximized when civilians train in areas they are most familiar, we strongly encourage that the training takes place at your facility. If this is not practical, an alternate venue can be used depending on availability including the Columbia Police Department’s Training Center.

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