BERLIN – The Worcester County Sheriff’s Office is now offering citizens, businesses, churches and public organizations a chance to participate in active shooter training seminars.
Beginning this month, the Worcester County Sheriff’s office will offer Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events (CRASE) training, free of charge, to the public.
The training sessions – built around the “Avoid, Deny, Defend” strategy developed by Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training in 2004 – are designed to increase a person’s chances of survival in an active shooter event or other critical incident.
“The ultimate goal of this class is to save lives,” Sheriff Matt Crisafulli said. “To meet that goal, this class is specifically designed to teach participants how to think differently should the unthinkable situation occur.”
He added, “Through real-world examples, videos and hypothetical situations, participants will receive hands-on training in how to respond to an intruder, to identify where exits are located, and what to do if the exits are blocked.”
Chief Deputy Mark Titanski said the training opportunity is in response to a growing number of active assailant threats throughout the country.
“Sheriff Crisafulli feels it is incumbent upon himself and the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office to help train citizens how to react and survive an incident until law enforcement arrives on the scene,” he said.
Titanski noted this will be the first time the sheriff’s office has offered CRASE training.
“Instructors from the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office will be available to local businesses, groups and churches to give onsite training free of charge, based upon availability and attendance,” he said. “The sheriff’s office will also announce large training groups open to the public as they become available.”
Titanski said the training provides strategies, guidance and a proven plan for surviving an active shooter event. Topics include the history and prevalence of active shooter events, civilian response options, medical issues and considerations for conducting drills.
“The Worcester County Sheriff’s Office is committed to providing this service to the community,” he said. “We will respond to groups as they request this training and we look forward to teaching several large classes, open to the general public, as often as needed.”
For additional information, or to schedule a course, contact Chief Deputy Mark Titanski at 410-632-1111 or email [email protected].
