Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events (CRASE)

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™ 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, the role of professional guardians, civilian response options, medical issues, and drills.

AVOID starts with your state of mind

  • Pay attention to your surroundings.
  • Have an exit plan.
  • Move away from the source of the threat as quickly as possible.
  • The more distance and barriers between you and the threat, the better.

DENY when getting away is difficult or maybe impossible

  • Keep distance between you and the source.
  • Create barriers to prevent or slow down a threat from getting to you.
  • Turn the lights off.
  • Remain out of sight and quiet by hiding behind large objects and silence your phone.

DEFEND because you have the right to protect yourself

  • If you cannot Avoid or Deny be prepared to defend yourself.
  • Be aggressive and committed to your actions.
  • Do not fight fairly.
  • THIS IS ABOUT SURVIVAL