Your Civilian Active Shooter Preparedness Checklist

An active shooter event is often over in minutes, long before law enforcement can arrive. That hard reality means the people already on the scene—employees, students, and you—are the true first responders. Your actions in those first few seconds are the most critical factor in survival. Waiting for help simply isn’t a strategy. This is where civilian active shooter preparedness becomes so important. A simple, memorable plan from effective crase training helps you move from shock to decisive action. This guide will break down the proven Avoid, Deny, Defend framework and show you how to prepare yourself, your family, and your workplace.

Key Takeaways

• Know the Avoid, Deny, Defend Strategy: This is your flexible plan for survival. Your first and best option is to Avoid the danger by escaping. If you can’t, Deny the attacker access by locking and barricading a door. As an absolute last resort, commit to Defending yourself to create a chance to escape.
• Preparation Replaces Fear with Confidence: Your response in a crisis is determined by the work you do beforehand. Practice situational awareness daily by noting exits, create simple emergency plans for places you frequent, and use training to build the mental strength to act decisively under pressure.
• You Are the First Responder: Active threats are often over before help arrives, making your actions the most critical factor in survival. CRASE training gives you a simple, proven plan designed for civilians, empowering you to make life-saving decisions in those first crucial moments.

What is CRASE Training and Why Is It Essential?

Thinking about an active shooter event is unsettling, but having a plan can replace fear with confidence. That’s exactly what CRASE Training is designed to do. CRASE stands for Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events, and it gives you a straightforward, actionable plan for survival. It’s not about turning you into a first responder; it’s about giving you the mental tools to make the best possible decisions in an unimaginable situation.

Developed by the Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT) Center, the course is built on the proven Avoid, Deny, Defend (ADD) strategy. This framework is easy to remember and provides clear guidance on how to react based on your specific circumstances. Whether you’re at work, school, or a public venue, CRASE training prepares you to assess the situation and take decisive steps to protect yourself and others. It empowers you to become an active participant in your own safety, providing a sense of control when it matters most. The goal is simple: to increase survivability by teaching civilians how to respond proactively until law enforcement arrives.

What Defines an Active Shooter Event?

An active shooter event is a situation where one or more individuals are actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a populated area. What makes these events so uniquely dangerous is their speed and unpredictability. They are dynamic, evolving quickly, and are often over in a matter of minutes.

According to law enforcement data, these events happen very quickly and are frequently over before police can even get to the scene. This is a critical point to understand. It means the people who are already there—employees, students, shoppers, and you—are the true first responders. The actions taken in the first few seconds and minutes of an incident have the most significant impact on the outcome.

Beyond Shooters: Other Types of Attacks in Public Spaces

While active shooter training is a critical focus, it’s important to remember that threats in public spaces can take many forms. An attacker might use a vehicle, an explosive device, or an edged weapon. The good news is that the core principles of preparedness—situational awareness and having a plan—apply no matter the weapon. The goal is to build a mindset that helps you recognize and react to danger in any form. This starts with simply being aware of your surroundings and trusting your instincts. If something feels off, it probably is. That’s the idea behind the national “If You See Something, Say Something®” campaign: report suspicious activity to local authorities. Your awareness is the first line of defense.

How Civilian Preparedness Can Save Lives

Since active shooter events unfold so rapidly, waiting for help to arrive is not a survival strategy. The reality is that your safety is in your hands during those initial, critical moments. This is where civilian preparedness becomes the single most important factor in survival. You are the one who can make immediate decisions to create distance, secure a room, or, as a last resort, defend yourself.

Experts agree that civilians must be prepared to take immediate action to save their own lives. Without a plan, it’s natural to freeze or panic. CRASE training provides that plan, giving you a clear set of options to draw from under extreme stress. It shifts your mindset from being a passive victim to an active survivor, empowering you with the knowledge and confidence to act decisively.

Understanding the Critical Time Gap

The single most important reason for civilian training is the response gap. According to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, active shooter situations are often over within 10 to 15 minutes, a timeframe that is almost always shorter than the police response time. This isn’t a criticism of law enforcement; it’s simply a fact of time and distance. The first few minutes are the most dangerous, and the people already on site are the only ones who can act. Your actions in those first few seconds are the most critical factor in survival. Training gives you a plan to fill that gap, turning moments of potential panic into decisive, life-saving action. It ensures you aren’t just waiting, but are actively working to keep yourself and others safe.

Improving Coordination with Law Enforcement

When you have a plan, you contribute to a more predictable and safer environment for everyone, including the officers who are on their way. The International Association of Chiefs of Police notes that when law enforcement knows how civilians have been trained, it helps them anticipate behaviors and plan their response more effectively. A trained group of people is more likely to be evacuating, hiding, or barricading in a structured way, which reduces chaos and makes it easier for officers to identify and neutralize the threat. Your preparedness helps them do their job faster and with greater precision. It creates a seamless handoff from civilian action to law enforcement resolution, ultimately saving more lives.

Avoid, Deny, Defend: Your Action Plan for Survival

When faced with an active threat, having a simple, clear plan can make all the difference. The “Avoid, Deny, Defend” strategy, a cornerstone of CRASE training, provides exactly that. It’s not a rigid checklist but a flexible framework designed to help you make life-saving decisions under pressure. The goal is to give you a sequence of options—starting with the safest—to increase your chances of survival. Understanding these three core actions empowers you to move from a state of fear to one of decisive action.

Avoid: How to Create Distance and Find Safety

The first and most important response is to get away from the danger. Your top priority is to put as much distance as possible between you and the threat. This strategy starts long before an incident occurs. As Dartmouth security resources advise, “Avoiding the threat starts with your state of mind. Pay attention to your surroundings. Have an exit plan; if the aggressor is inside your building, get out.” Always know at least two exits wherever you are. If you hear something that sounds like trouble, trust your instincts and move away immediately. Don’t wait for confirmation. Leave your belongings behind and help others escape if you can, but get yourself to safety first.

Deny: How to Secure Your Space and Slow the Threat

When escaping isn’t a safe option, your next move is to prevent the threat from getting to you. The goal of the “Deny” phase is to create a secure barrier that slows the aggressor down and keeps you hidden. This means finding a room, locking the door, and barricading it with whatever is available—desks, chairs, or filing cabinets. As one safety guide puts it, you should “Create barriers to prevent or slow down a threat from getting to you.” Once the room is secure, turn off the lights, silence your cell phone, and stay quiet and out of sight. Every second you buy is another second for law enforcement to arrive.

Defend: When and How to Take Action

Defending yourself is an absolute last resort, used only when you are in immediate danger and cannot avoid or deny. If you are confronted by the aggressor, your survival depends on your commitment to action. This is not about fighting; it’s about disrupting the attacker’s ability to aim and injure. As security experts at Washington and Lee University state, “If you cannot avoid or deny, be aggressive. Attack weak spots and be committed to your actions.” Use anything around you as an improvised weapon—a fire extinguisher, a chair, a heavy book. Act with others if you can. The goal is to create chaos and an opportunity to escape.

Learning Life-Saving Skills to Help Until Responders Arrive

Once you are safe, the next critical phase begins: caring for the injured. In the minutes before professional responders arrive, you have the power to make a life-or-death difference. Emergency services can be overwhelmed in a crisis, and the person most likely to save a life is often the one standing right next to them. This is why government agencies like Ready.gov emphasize that you are the help until help arrives. Moving beyond your own survival to helping others is the next step in a complete preparedness plan. Knowing how to control severe bleeding and provide basic first aid are skills that can turn a bystander into a lifesaver.

These skills are not complex, but they are essential. Uncontrolled bleeding is a leading cause of preventable death from trauma, and the actions taken in the first few minutes are the most critical. By equipping yourself with basic medical training, you can bridge the gap between the time of injury and the arrival of professional help. This knowledge transforms you from a passive witness into a capable, immediate responder, ready to act decisively when every second counts. It’s about having the confidence and the competence to step in and provide care, ensuring that those who are injured have the best possible chance of survival.

The Importance of First Aid and Bleeding Control

In the aftermath of an attack, the most urgent medical need is often stopping severe bleeding. A person can bleed to death in less than five minutes, which is often faster than paramedics can safely enter the scene. This is why learning bleeding control techniques is so vital. Basic first aid training gives you a framework for assessing injuries and providing immediate care, but specific skills to manage trauma are what truly save lives in these situations. When you learn first aid, you gain the ability to recognize life-threatening bleeding and take simple, effective steps to control it, which can dramatically increase a person’s chance of survival.

Taking a “Stop the Bleed” Course

The “Stop the Bleed” initiative is a national campaign designed to teach civilians exactly what to do for bleeding injuries before professional help arrives. A Stop the Bleed course teaches you three primary techniques: how to apply direct pressure to a wound, how to pack a wound to control bleeding, and how to correctly apply a tourniquet. These are straightforward skills that anyone can master, regardless of their background. As the International Association of Chiefs of Police notes, organizations should offer this type of training to their people. It empowers everyone in your community or workplace to become an immediate responder, ready to save a life.

Your Civilian Active Shooter Preparedness Checklist

The best time to think about your response to a crisis is long before one ever occurs. When you’re under extreme stress, your ability to think clearly and make complex decisions diminishes. That’s why preparation is so powerful—it builds the mental and physical muscle memory you need to act decisively when it matters most. By turning safety into a set of habits and plans, you give yourself a critical advantage in any emergency situation. This proactive mindset shifts you from a potential victim to a prepared individual.

Preparing for an active shooter event isn’t about living in fear; it’s about taking control of your own safety. It involves three key pillars: developing a keen awareness of your surroundings, creating a simple and effective emergency plan, and building the mental fortitude to stay calm under pressure. These aren’t complicated skills, but they do require practice. By integrating them into your daily life, you can create a strong foundation for a confident and effective response, no matter where you are—at the office, the grocery store, or a community event. This section will walk you through how to build these essential skills.

Recognizing and Reporting Potential Threats

While knowing how to react during an attack is crucial, preventing one from happening is the ultimate goal. You can play a vital role in community safety by learning to recognize and report potential threats. This isn’t about being paranoid; it’s about being present and aware. Often, individuals who plan acts of violence exhibit warning signs beforehand. As civilians, we are often the first to notice these subtle shifts in behavior. The Department of Homeland Security’s campaign, “If you see something, say something®,” is more than just a slogan—it’s a call to action. Trusting your instincts and reporting concerning behavior to the appropriate authorities, whether it’s HR, building security, or local law enforcement, is a proactive step that can save lives.

Understanding Warning Signs of Potential Violence

Recognizing warning signs is the first step toward prevention. These indicators are not always obvious, but they often form a pattern of escalating behavior over time. Pay attention to things like increased aggression, expressions of violent thoughts, or direct threats to harm oneself or others. According to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), it’s important to spot and report suspicious behavior to help prevent conflicts before they start. This could include someone trying to access a restricted area, expressing extreme paranoia, or suddenly acquiring weapons. The goal is not to profile individuals but to identify behaviors that are out of the ordinary and concerning. By understanding what to look for, you empower yourself to act on your intuition and alert someone who can intervene.

Are You Practicing Situational Awareness?

Situational awareness is simply the practice of being present and observant in your environment. It’s about paying attention to what’s happening around you and recognizing anything that seems out of the ordinary. This isn’t about being paranoid; it’s about being prepared. You can practice this skill every day by making a habit of noting the exits whenever you enter a building, observing the general mood of a crowd, or simply trusting your gut when a situation feels off. Regularly practicing situational awareness helps you identify potential dangers early, giving you more time to react and move to safety. It’s the first and most crucial step in the “Avoid, Deny, Defend” strategy because it allows you to avoid a threat before you’re ever directly involved.

How to Create Your Personal Emergency Plan

In a crisis, you won’t have time to figure out your next move. That’s why having a simple, pre-determined plan is essential. Your personal emergency plan should be straightforward and easy to remember. For any place you frequent—your office, your child’s school, or your favorite coffee shop—know the layout. Identify at least two exits and visualize your path to get there. Talk with your family or colleagues about a designated meeting place in case you get separated. At work, familiarize yourself with your organization’s official emergency action plan and participate actively in drills. A well-rehearsed plan for emergencies removes the guesswork, allowing you to act quickly and purposefully to get yourself and others to safety.

Building Mental Resilience for a Crisis

Your mindset is your most powerful tool in an emergency. The intense fear and stress of a crisis can cause people to freeze, but training helps build the mental resilience to overcome that instinct. Programs like CRASE are designed to do more than just teach you a set of actions; they help you stay calm under pressure so you can think clearly and make life-saving decisions. By simulating high-stress scenarios in a controlled environment, you learn to manage your body’s natural fear response. This mental conditioning is what allows you to recall your plan, assess your options, and act with confidence. Investing in hands-on safety courses is one of the best ways to prepare your mind for the unexpected.

What to Do During an Active Shooter Event

When an emergency happens, the chaos and fear can be overwhelming. But having a clear, simple plan can cut through the noise and guide your actions. In an active shooter situation, your response in the first few seconds is critical. The goal isn’t to be a hero; it’s to survive. The strategy used by law enforcement and safety experts is designed to give you a framework for making life-saving decisions under extreme pressure. It all comes down to three core actions: Avoid, Deny, and Defend. This isn’t a rigid set of rules you must follow in order, but rather a series of options you can choose from depending on what’s happening around you. Knowing when to run, when to hide, and when to fight back can make all the difference. This approach empowers you to take control in a situation that feels uncontrollable, giving you the best possible chance of staying safe. Thinking through these scenarios now helps build the mental muscle you’ll need if the unthinkable ever happens.

What Are Your Immediate Survival Priorities?

Your number one job is to stay alive. The most effective way to do that is to follow the Avoid, Deny, Defend model. This isn’t a checklist you have to follow in order, but a set of options to choose from based on your specific situation.

• Avoid: If you can get out, do it. This is your best option. Leave your belongings behind and create as much distance as possible between you and the threat. Have an escape route in mind, and once you are clear of the immediate danger, don’t stop until you are in a truly safe location.
• Deny: If you can’t escape, your goal is to deny the attacker access to you. Get into a room, lock and barricade the door with heavy furniture, turn off the lights, and silence your phone. Stay low, quiet, and out of sight.
• Defend: This is your last resort, used only when your life is in imminent danger. If you must confront the attacker, be aggressive and commit to your actions. Use improvised weapons—a fire extinguisher, a chair, a pair of scissors—and work with others to incapacitate the threat.

How to Alert Authorities and Communicate Effectively

Once you are in a safe place—and only when it is safe to do so—call 911. The information you provide is crucial for the responding officers. Be prepared to tell the dispatcher:

• The exact location of the event, including the building name, floor, and room number.
• The number of shooters you saw or heard.
• A physical description of the person or people involved.
• The number and type of weapons they have.
• The number of potential victims at the location.

When law enforcement arrives, their first priority is to neutralize the threat, not to help the injured. They may be yelling commands and might not stop to assist you. Do exactly as they say, keep your hands visible and empty, and stay out of their way.

How to Help Others Without Risking Your Own Safety

It’s natural to want to help people in a crisis, but you can’t help anyone if you become a victim yourself. Your safety comes first. If you are escaping, encourage others to leave with you, but don’t let their hesitation slow you down. If you are hiding in a room with others, work as a team to barricade the door and stay quiet. You can provide emotional support, but avoid actions that could put the group at risk. Remember that the Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events (CRASE) training emphasizes that what you do matters. By making smart, survival-focused decisions, you increase the chances that everyone gets home safely.

Ensure You Are Safe Before Aiding the Wounded

In the immediate aftermath of an attack, your instinct may be to rush to help the injured, but your first responsibility is to ensure your own safety. Official guidance from Ready.gov is clear: “Make sure you are safe first.” You cannot help anyone if you become injured yourself. Once law enforcement has secured the scene and you are certain the threat has passed, you can then focus on providing aid. If possible, help move the injured to a more secure location before administering care. This is where having practical skills becomes invaluable. Knowing how to control bleeding or perform basic first aid can make a life-or-death difference in the minutes before professional responders can take over. Taking a Stop the Bleed course prepares you to be an effective helper when it’s safe to act.

After the Event: Steps for Recovery

The physical danger may be over in minutes, but the emotional and psychological impact of an active shooter event can last a lifetime. The experience leaves a mark not only on those who were present but on their families, colleagues, and the entire community. Recovery is a process, and it looks different for everyone. It’s important to understand that the journey back to a sense of normalcy takes time and intentional effort. Acknowledging the trauma and taking proactive steps to care for your mental well-being is just as critical as any physical first aid you might have rendered at the scene.

Moving forward involves more than just returning to your daily routine; it requires creating space to process what happened and seeking support when you need it. The path to healing often involves connecting with others, understanding your own emotional responses, and knowing where to turn for professional guidance. Just as you had a plan for the crisis itself, having a plan for your recovery can provide structure and hope in the days, weeks, and months that follow. This next phase is about rebuilding your sense of safety and resilience, one step at a time.

Coping with Trauma and Seeking Professional Help

It is completely normal to experience a wide range of intense emotions after a traumatic event. Feelings of fear, anxiety, grief, and anger are not signs of weakness; they are human responses to an inhuman situation. These reactions can surface immediately or appear weeks later. It’s crucial to allow yourself to feel them without judgment. One of the most important steps you can take is to seek professional help to navigate these complex emotions. A therapist or counselor trained in trauma can provide you with tools and strategies to process what you’ve been through in a healthy way. Talking about your experience in a safe and supportive environment is a powerful part of healing and helps prevent long-term issues like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

CRASE Training: Separating Fact from Fiction

When it comes to active shooter events, what you see in movies and what actually saves lives are two very different things. Misinformation can spread quickly, and relying on instinct alone in a crisis isn’t enough. The goal of CRASE training is to replace fear and uncertainty with a clear, actionable plan based on real-world data. It’s about understanding the dynamics of these events so you can make smarter, faster decisions when every second counts.

Let’s clear up some of the most common—and dangerous—myths about how to respond. Understanding what works, what doesn’t, and what you can realistically expect from yourself and others is the foundation of true preparedness. This isn’t about creating fear; it’s about building confidence so you can take control in a situation where you might feel powerless. By separating fact from fiction, you give yourself the best possible chance of staying safe.

Let’s Debunk Some Common and Dangerous Myths

One of the most dangerous myths is that the best strategy is to hide quietly and wait for help. While finding a secure location is critical, simply hiding and hoping is not a plan. In reality, taking proactive measures to deny an attacker access to your space can dramatically increase your odds of survival. Another common misconception is that playing dead is a viable option. Unfortunately, data from past events shows that attackers often target people who are already down. Instead of remaining passive, you should be prepared to take action to protect yourself as a last resort. These aren’t easy truths, but knowing them is the first step toward building an effective response.

Understanding What Training Can (and Can’t) Accomplish

CRASE training won’t turn you into a superhero, and it’s not designed to. What it can do is give you a solid framework for survival. The CRASE course provides a proven plan and practical strategies that you can recall and use even under extreme stress. It empowers you with knowledge, so you’re not starting from scratch in a crisis. It’s also important to know that CRASE is often delivered as a “Train-the-Trainer” program. This means it’s designed to create a ripple effect, allowing certified instructors to bring these life-saving skills back to their own communities, workplaces, and schools. Training can’t eliminate risk, but it can give you the confidence to respond effectively.

Why Realistic Expectations Are Crucial for Survival

A hard reality of active attacks is that they are often over in minutes and may conclude before police arrive. This is why your personal response is so critical. You are your own first responder. The most important expectation to set for yourself is that you can make a difference. Your survival isn’t a matter of luck; it’s a matter of preparation. By practicing situational awareness and having a mental plan, you are already ahead of the curve. The core message of CRASE is simple but powerful: What You Do Matters. Your decisions and actions can directly influence the outcome for you and those around you.

What Makes CRASE Different from Other Safety Programs?

When you’re looking for safety training, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the options. Many programs exist, but they aren’t all built on the same foundation. The Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events (CRASE) course stands out because it was developed with a clear purpose: to give everyday people a straightforward, proven plan for survival. It moves beyond abstract advice and provides concrete actions grounded in reality. Unlike generalized safety talks, CRASE is a specialized program designed to address the specific dynamics of an active shooter event with strategies that are easy to remember and apply under pressure. It’s not about turning you into a first responder; it’s about giving you the tools to become your own immediate responder.

It’s Based on Real-World Data

The strategies taught in CRASE training aren’t based on theory or guesswork. The entire course is built upon the Avoid, Deny, Defend (ADD) strategy, which was developed by the Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT) Center after analyzing data from actual active shooter events. This evidence-based approach ensures that the guidance you receive is practical, effective, and relevant to the situations you might face. By learning from past events, the ADD framework provides a clear, sequential plan that prioritizes your survival. This connection to real-world data gives you confidence that you’re learning tactics that have been proven to save lives, not just ideas that sound good in a classroom.

It Emphasizes Interactive, Hands-On Learning

CRASE training is designed to be an active experience, not a passive lecture. The program emphasizes interactive, hands-on learning to help you build muscle memory and true confidence. You’ll participate in discussions and scenarios that help you think through your options and practice your responses in a safe, controlled environment. This approach helps solidify the concepts of Avoid, Deny, and Defend, making them second nature. When you’ve physically walked through the steps of securing a room or identifying escape routes, you’re far more likely to recall those actions under the extreme stress of a real emergency. The goal is to equip you with a plan you can execute, not just information you can recite.

This Training is Designed for Civilians, Not First Responders

Many safety programs are created with law enforcement or security professionals in mind, but CRASE is different. It was specifically tailored for civilians—the people working in offices, attending classes, shopping at the mall, or volunteering at community centers. The course avoids complex jargon and tactics that require specialized gear or training. Instead, it focuses on simple, effective actions that anyone can take to improve their chances of survival until help arrives. It empowers you with the knowledge to make critical decisions about your own safety, whether you’re a teacher, an HR manager, a student, or a parent. This focus makes the training accessible, relatable, and immediately applicable to your daily life.

Who Needs CRASE Training?

The short answer is that everyone does. An active threat can occur anywhere, at any time, turning a normal day at the office, school, or grocery store into a crisis. CRASE training isn’t just for first responders; it’s designed specifically for civilians. It provides a straightforward framework that anyone can use to make life-saving decisions under pressure. Whether you’re a business owner, a teacher, or a parent, understanding these principles is a critical step toward personal and collective safety.

How to Protect Your Employees and Workplace

As an employer, your team’s safety is your top priority. Creating a secure environment goes beyond access badges and security cameras; it involves equipping your people with the knowledge to protect themselves. CRASE training gives your employees a clear, unified plan to prepare for and react to an active shooter event. This isn’t about creating fear—it’s about building confidence. When people know what to do, they can manage stress and respond more effectively. Providing onsite group training ensures everyone receives the same critical information, helping to build a true culture of safety and preparedness in your organization.

Keeping Students and Staff Safe in Schools

Schools are centers of learning and community, and keeping them safe is a profound responsibility. CRASE training is designed to empower educators, administrators, and staff with the skills to protect their students during an emergency. The program covers essential topics, from understanding stress responses to implementing effective tactics like the “Avoid, Deny, Defend” strategy. By providing a simple and memorable framework, it helps ensure a coordinated response when every second counts. This training gives school communities a practical plan that moves beyond drills, preparing them to act decisively in a crisis.

How to Prepare Your Community and Family

Safety preparedness starts long before you ever face a threat. Because an emergency can happen in any public space—a movie theater, a shopping mall, a place of worship—knowing how to react is a vital life skill. CRASE training gives you and your loved ones a shared plan and language for staying safe. It teaches situational awareness and provides a clear set of actions to take if you’re ever caught in a crisis. Taking a CPR, AED & First Aid course is a great first step, and adding CRASE training builds on that foundation, empowering you to protect yourself and those around you.

Where Can You Find CRASE Training?

Finding credible, effective safety training can feel overwhelming, but the path to getting CRASE certified is more straightforward than you might think. The program is managed by the Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT) Center, which is the national standard for active shooter response training. This means you can be confident you’re getting information that is vetted, current, and directly applicable to real-world situations. Whether you’re looking for training for yourself or want to bring it to your entire organization, there are clear steps you can take to get started.

How to Find a Certified Provider

The best way to ensure you’re receiving authentic CRASE training is to go straight to the source. The ALERRT Center maintains the standards for the program and certifies law enforcement officers to teach the curriculum to the public. This ensures that the person leading your course has a deep understanding of emergency response tactics and can deliver the material effectively. We recommend starting your search by reaching out to your local or state law enforcement agencies, as many have officers who are certified CRASE instructors. They can often provide information on upcoming community sessions or schedule a dedicated training for your group.

Leveraging Free Government Preparedness Resources

You don’t have to build your safety plan from scratch. Federal agencies have invested heavily in creating free, high-quality resources to help the public prepare for emergencies. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), for example, offers comprehensive guides and toolkits specifically for Active Shooter Preparedness. Similarly, Ready.gov provides straightforward, actionable advice for a wide range of threats, including attacks in public spaces. These resources are designed to complement formal training by giving you checklists, videos, and planning templates you can use at home or work. They reinforce core survival principles, ensuring you have access to consistent, expert-backed information whenever you need it.

The “Whole Community” Approach to Safety

Modern emergency preparedness is built on the idea of a “Whole Community” approach. This philosophy recognizes that safety is a shared responsibility, not just the job of law enforcement and first responders. As the International Association of Chiefs of Police notes, civilians are the first people on the scene who can act, making civilian readiness a top priority. When individuals, businesses, schools, and community groups are all trained and prepared, the entire community becomes more resilient. This collaborative effort ensures that everyone understands their role and can work together effectively during a crisis, ultimately leading to better outcomes and saving more lives.

Online vs. In-Person: Which Training is Best?

Depending on your schedule and learning style, you can choose the format that works best for you. ALERRT offers a free, four-hour online Train-the-Trainer course that provides a fantastic overview of the CRASE principles. This is a great option if you need flexibility or want to familiarize yourself with the material at your own pace. However, nothing beats the value of in-person training. An on-site session allows for interactive Q&A, scenario-based discussions, and hands-on learning that helps solidify the concepts. For organizations, an in-person class led by a certified instructor can build team confidence and ensure everyone is on the same page. You can explore the different course formats to decide which is the right fit.

How to Schedule Training for Your Organization

If you’re a safety manager, school administrator, or community leader, bringing CRASE training to your group is a powerful step toward building a culture of preparedness. The most direct way to do this is to submit a hosting request through the ALERRT website. This process allows ALERRT to coordinate with certified instructors in your region to set up a training session specifically for your organization. You can also contact your local police or sheriff’s department to inquire about their community outreach programs, as many are eager to partner with local businesses and schools. Taking the initiative to organize a training not only equips your team with life-saving skills but also demonstrates a strong commitment to their safety and well-being.

Ready to Implement CRASE Training? Here’s How

Implementing a new safety program can feel like a huge undertaking, but it’s one of the most important steps you can take to protect your people. Bringing CRASE training to your organization is a straightforward process when you focus on three key areas: getting leadership on board, communicating the value to your team, and addressing any concerns head-on. This isn’t about creating fear; it’s about building confidence. By taking a thoughtful approach, you can roll out a program that empowers everyone with the practical skills to act in an emergency. Let’s walk through how to make it happen.

Start by Getting Leadership on Board

Before you can schedule a training session, you need support from the top. Leadership buy-in is about more than just approving a budget; it’s about making safety a core part of your organization’s identity. When leaders champion preparedness, it sends a powerful message that every person’s well-being is a priority. Frame the conversation around creating a true culture of safety, where everyone feels responsible and empowered. Explain that CRASE isn’t just a one-time class—it’s a foundational step in building a resilient team that is prepared to protect themselves and each other. This commitment from leadership sets the tone for the entire program and ensures its long-term success.

Engage Your Team with Effective Outreach

Once your leadership is on board, the next step is to get your community excited and informed. Effective outreach helps people understand why this training is so valuable. Many people want to know what they can do to stay safe but aren’t sure where to start. You can use internal newsletters, team meetings, or informational flyers to explain what CRASE training involves and how it helps. Focus on empowerment, not fear. The goal is to show that this training provides practical, life-saving skills. By clearly communicating the benefits, you can generate genuine interest and ensure people show up ready to learn.

How to Address Common Barriers to Participation

It’s completely normal for people to feel hesitant or anxious about active shooter training. Some may worry it will be frightening, while others might feel it’s not their responsibility. The CRASE curriculum is specifically designed to address these barriers. The training explains the history of active shooter events and the typical stress responses people have, which helps normalize their feelings. It then provides a clear, simple plan of action that helps overcome the reluctance to act. By equipping people with concrete skills and knowledge, you replace fear with confidence. Reassure your team that the goal is to empower them with options, so they feel prepared—not scared.

How to Apply CRASE Principles Every Day

CRASE training isn’t about living in fear; it’s about building confidence so you can act decisively in an emergency. The principles of “Avoid, Deny, Defend” aren’t just for a crisis—they are rooted in awareness and preparation, skills you can weave into your daily life. By making these concepts a regular part of your mindset, you can stay ready without feeling overwhelmed. It’s about turning abstract plans into automatic, life-saving instincts.

The goal is to practice these skills until they become second nature. Think of it like learning CPR or first aid—you hope you never need it, but you’re prepared and empowered if you do. Integrating these habits at work, in public, and at home creates a personal safety net that travels with you everywhere.

How to Stay Alert at Your Workplace

Your workplace is where you spend a significant amount of your time, making it a critical place to practice preparedness. Under OSHA’s “General Duty Clause,” employers are responsible for providing a safe environment, but personal readiness is just as important. Start by simply knowing your surroundings. Can you point to two exits from your desk right now? Do you know the official emergency plan?

Participate actively in any safety drills your company holds. Instead of just going through the motions, use it as a chance to mentally walk through the CRASE steps. Where would you go to avoid a threat? What rooms could you use to deny entry? Familiarizing yourself with these options ahead of time makes your response more instinctual. Our onsite safety training can help your entire team build a coordinated and effective plan.

Practicing Awareness in Public Spaces

Active shooter events are often over before law enforcement can arrive, which is why your actions matter so much. The core strategy for survival in these situations is always Avoid, Deny, Defend. When you’re out in public—at a grocery store, concert, or movie theater—make situational awareness a habit. As you walk in, take a second to identify exits, not just the one you entered through.

This isn’t about being paranoid; it’s about being present. Notice where you could create distance (Avoid) or find a secure room (Deny). Having this mental map gives you a head start. If you’re with family or friends, have a quick, calm conversation about a rally point if you get separated. A simple plan can make all the difference when seconds count.

How to Keep Your Preparedness Skills Sharp

CRASE training provides a proven plan to help you survive an active shooter event, but like any skill, it requires practice to stay sharp. You don’t need to run intense drills every day. Instead, practice simple mental rehearsals. When you’re in a new place, ask yourself, “What would I do here?” This simple exercise keeps your mind engaged and your response plan active.

Talk about your plan with your family. Make sure everyone knows the principles of Avoid, Deny, and Defend. It’s important to have a plan, be aware of your surroundings, and remember that in a crisis, what you do matters. Reinforcing these concepts through conversation and mental walkthroughs ensures that your skills remain ready, giving you and your loved ones the confidence to act effectively.

Related Articles

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• How to Implement Workplace Active Shooter Training

Frequently Asked Questions

Will this training be scary for my team? That’s a completely valid concern. The goal of CRASE training is actually the opposite of creating fear—it’s about building confidence. The course is designed to give you and your team a clear, simple plan. Knowing you have options and a strategy to follow helps replace the feeling of helplessness with a sense of empowerment. It’s about preparing your mind to act, which is one of the best ways to manage anxiety in a high-stress situation.

Is “Avoid, Deny, Defend” just another way of saying “Run, Hide, Fight”? While the core ideas are similar, “Avoid, Deny, Defend” provides a more descriptive and flexible framework. “Avoid” encourages you to create distance and escape, which is your best first option. “Deny” is a more proactive step than simply hiding; it’s about actively securing your space by locking doors and creating barricades to prevent an attacker from reaching you. “Defend” is the absolute last resort, emphasizing committed action to disrupt and incapacitate the threat so you can survive.

What if I can’t escape? Is hiding my only option? If you can’t get away, your goal is to deny the attacker access to you, which is much more active than just hiding. This means getting into a room, locking the door, and barricading it with anything you can find—desks, chairs, filing cabinets. The objective is to create a time-consuming barrier. Once the room is secure, you should silence your phone, turn off the lights, and stay out of sight. Every second you can delay an attacker is another second for law enforcement to arrive.

How can I practice these skills without feeling anxious all the time? The best way to keep these skills fresh is to integrate them into your life in a low-key, practical way. Think of it like noting the fire exits when you enter a building—it’s a quick, smart habit, not a source of worry. When you’re in a new place, take a moment to identify two exits. Mentally walk through your options. This simple practice of situational awareness keeps your mind prepared without causing distress, turning your safety plan into a natural instinct rather than a constant concern.

My organization is small. Is this type of training still necessary for us? Absolutely. An emergency can happen anywhere, regardless of the size of your company or group. The principles of CRASE training are universal because they focus on individual survival skills. Providing this training ensures that every person on your team has a personal plan for staying safe, which makes the entire group more resilient. Preparedness isn’t about the size of your building; it’s about the mindset of your people.