CRASE program to help locals be prepared for shooting situations
Local law enforcement is hoping to keep the public safe no matter the situation, even if it involves someone coming into an office with a firearm and starting to shoot.
That’s why Jonathan Blackmon and Rachel Haddix have worked with the various organizations at One Door Polk to help with training for a new program to help educate the public on how to respond to an active shooter event.
This Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events program, or CRASE, is headed by Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training, or ALERRT along with Texas State University.
The program is designed to help larger organizations and facilities find the right preplanned response in how to deal with someone coming into their building or buildings with firearms intent on hurting people.
Blackmon said One Door Polk held the first training session in Polk County for the program since so many different offices were held in one office.
“Between 2000 and 2014, research shows there’s been 179 active shooter events in the United States,” he said. “That’s not including this year or last year. And a majority of those events are taking place in low-profile public places, such as businesses, stores, restaurants, movie theaters and elsewhere.”
Rhonda Heuer at One Door Polk invited the Sheriff’s Office to come in and conduct the session after the facility opened.
“What really got their attention was the event that happened recently in Bartow County at their social services offices,” he said.
The half-day course conducted by Blackmon and Haddix, who are certified CRASE trainers, went over what people are supposed to do if shooting ever starts inside of their offices.
The advice they give is a three-part plan, remembered simply as A.D.D. Avoid, deny and defend.
Meaning that people should first avoid the attacker and run from the area, deny them entry into any areas that people might be hiding by locking doors and barricading other entryways, and then lastly defending yourself from the attacker if weapons can be readily available in a hiding spot.
The training program is open to other businesses, local organiza- tions or government agencies who are willing to participate. Call Blackmon at the Polk County Sheriff’s Office at 770-749-2910 for more information.
He said there is no charge for having himself or Haddix come out and conduct a training session.