The Gainesville Police Department is hosting the nationally recognized CRASE (Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events) training program this week.
This event is open to the public and free of charge. A GPD press release states that while there is no known active threat to the community, the police department is aware of the continued want and need for preparedness training for the public in light of recent attacks.
Built around the AVOID-DENY-DEFEND model, the CRASE message is designed to "educate, empower, and provide attendees with a reaction plan for an active shooter event." The hope is that through "situational awareness and mental scripting," participants will leave with a sense of preparedness, not fear. The goal is to provide a decisive action plan that will assist law enforcement response and limit the number of potential victims accessible to the shooter.
The program will be held Thursday from 6:00-8:30 at the Gainesville Justice Center. To RSVP: Visit http://www.gainesville.org/police-department/crase/
CRASE was developed by the ALERRT Center at Texas State University. Their trainers qualified the Gainesville Instructors who will teach the local CRASE program. Visit www.avoiddenydefend.org and www.ALERT.org to learn more about the research-based active shooter programs developed at Texas State and taught around the US.
Organizers say participant discretion is advised because the presentation includes some videos and audio recordings from actual events that even while edited, may be difficult for some people to watch or hear.
