By AMANDA KIMBLE
TheFlashToday.com
ERATH COUNTY (February 16, 2016) – The Aurora, Colo., premiere of “The Dark Knight Rises,” July 2012. Sandy Hook Elementary, December 2012. Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords injured, January 2011. Thirteen killed, dozens injured at Fort Hood, November 2009. Columbine High School, April 1999. These are just a few of the unexpected, unforgettable mass shootings making headlines over the last two decades.
While Erath County isn’t readily known as a hotspot for domestic terrorism, and it’s not likely that citizens’ daily outings are filled with fears of such, the headline-making cases prove anything could happen, anywhere. With that in mind, Tarleton State University Police Department is working to arm citizens with skills that will help them better respond to “active shooter” situations.
The department is offering free Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events (CRASE) courses for group and individuals, including the general public.
“Hopefully we will never see one of these situations in Erath County,” said Sgt. Clell Murray, who leads local CRASE training. “But, it’s better to be prepared and not need the training than not have the knowledge when you need it most.”
Five CRASE classes have been held for various departments at Tarleton State University, and Murray estimates about 250 individuals have completed the two-hour course.
Initially, the university police department planned to offer the training to professors and Tarleton State staffers, but the university’s chief of police, R. Matt Welch, decided to expand the program.
“It’s now a part of the community service the department provides,” Murray said, adding that the course is available for groups such as schools, businesses, government offices, civic organizations, and nonprofits.
“I’ve held a night class for employees of Stephenville Medical Surgical Clinic, and we are planning to hold a day class at that location,” Murray said, adding a local church has also requested the course for interested members.
The instruction is provided at no cost, as Murray said his training was provided by government funding. He said he is proud to share the life-saving techniques, which include the “Avoid, Deny, Defend” strategy developed by Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT) Center at Texas State University.
“I have been ALERRT trained for several years,” Murray said, adding that the program is known as the “national standard”
According to alerrt.org, more than 80,000 law enforcement officers across the nation have been trained in ALERRT operations and tactics to respond to active shooter situations.
While odds are most CRASE participants will never put the knowledge gained into action, Murray said the plan will be in their minds, allowing them to automatically react to an active shooter.
Two-hour CRASE course includes some video instruction and a question and answer session.
Murray said he plans to host sessions twice a month for the general public, and the next open session will be held 6-8 p.m. Thursday in Room 176 of the Tarleton’s Business Building.
Businesses or organizations that would like to arrange for private instruction may contact Murray by email at email cmurray@tarleton.edu or by calling (254) 968-9265 and leaving voicemail. Arrangements can also be made by calling Tarleton Police Department at 968-9002.
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