Rabun County Sheriff’s Office provides training on how to survive active shootings

CLAYTON — In spite of recent occurrences, both locally and nationally involving active shooters, the Rabun County Sheriff’s Office is hosting a training class to teach strategies and defensive techniques to the public in case anyone should find themselves in the line of fire.

Rabun County Sheriff Chad Nichols poses the question, “Would you know what to do if a gunman threatened your workplace, your church, your school, or a shopping center or mall?”

As of late, the most recent incident which posed an immediate threat to the local public was a high-speed car chase that turned violent and ended with a fatal gunshot by an officer from the Clayton Police Department.

Violence is not always the desired outcome, but there is a difference between that and self-defense according to Nichols.

The course being offered has been deemed the Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events (CRASE) and is designed and built on the Avoid, Deny, Defend strategy developed by the Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT).

The course provides strategies, guidance, and a proven plan for surviving an active shooter event. The program provides guidance through concepts that align with many current corporate and private sector procedures such as avoiding dangerous situations.

The training is designed to provide all civilians with the knowledge that will empower and instill confidence to survive an active shooter attack whether at work, church, the movie theater or anywhere else they may be. The CRASE program is designed as an awareness tool that will strengthen the ability to survive and instill confidence to civilians of all ages and abilities, helping them understand that what you do matters in an active shooter event.

Topics include the history and prevalence of active shooter events, the role of professional guardians, civilian response options, and demonstrations and examples of things to do in case of an active shooter event.

The training is open to all members of the community, as well as law enforcement, fire, EMS, public health, local government, healthcare, military, and other interested parties. There is no charge to attend the training.

Date/Time: Thursday, March 22, 6 – 8 p.m. and Saturday, March 24, 9 – 11 a.m.
Location: Rabun County High School – Fine Arts Building