Preparedness is what closes the gap between an incident occurring and help arriving. The minutes before first responders reach a scene are the most critical — and civilians who know what to do save lives.
In an active incident, law enforcement and medical response takes time. During those critical first minutes, the actions taken by civilians in those first minutes determine outcomes. Preparedness is not about training civilians to be first responders — it is about giving them the knowledge to make better decisions, reduce panic, and provide critical care until professionals arrive.
The foundational civilian response framework for active threat situations, developed by ALERRT at Texas State University. Avoid when there is a clear escape route. Deny when escape is not possible — lock, barricade, silence devices. Defend only as a last resort when your life is in immediate danger. Shield USA teaches this framework in context so civilians can adapt it to their specific environment rather than following a rigid script.
Understanding what a lockdown means, how to execute it properly, and what to do if you are caught outside a secured room. Many people who have participated in lockdown drills have never been taught the reasoning behind each step. Shield USA closes that gap with context-driven instruction that makes the protocol intuitive rather than mechanical.
Uncontrolled hemorrhage is the leading cause of preventable death in traumatic injury events. Knowing how to apply a tourniquet, pack a wound, and apply direct pressure correctly can keep a victim alive until EMS arrives. These are teachable skills — and every adult in a school building should have them.
During an active incident, communication errors are common. Knowing what information to give a 911 dispatcher, how to relay your location clearly, and how to communicate with others in your immediate environment without drawing attention are skills that directly impact response outcomes.
CRASE (Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events) is a training program developed by ALERRT (Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training) at Texas State University and supported by the FBI. While originally developed with law enforcement context, the civilian-facing components of CRASE are directly applicable to school staff, parents, and community members. Shield USA references and incorporates CRASE principles into its preparedness instruction.
The CRASE framework teaches civilians to respond to an active shooter event using an Avoid, Deny, Defend structure — a practical, memorable framework for making fast decisions under extreme stress.
Remove yourself and others from the area of danger. Know your exits. Move away from the sound of gunfire. Do not wait for official confirmation before acting.
If you cannot escape, deny the attacker access. Lock and barricade doors, turn off lights, move away from the door, and silence all devices. Make entry as difficult as possible.
As a last resort, commit to defending yourself and others using any available means. This is an active decision — not passive — and requires aggression, coordination, and commitment.
CRASE certification courses are available for civilians through ALERRT-certified instructors. Shield USA strongly encourages school staff and community members to seek out a certified course in their area.
alerrt.org — Find a CRASE Course →Stop the Bleed is a national awareness campaign and training initiative launched following the Sandy Hook Advisory Commission's recommendation that civilians be trained in basic hemorrhage control. It is endorsed by the American College of Surgeons, the Department of Homeland Security, and the White House.
A Stop the Bleed course teaches three core skills in under two hours: applying direct pressure, wound packing, and tourniquet application. These three skills address the vast majority of survivable traumatic hemorrhage scenarios. Certification courses are available nationwide — many at no cost — and are appropriate for most civilians with no prior medical training required.
Stop the Bleed certification is one of the highest-value preparedness investments a school staff member, parent, or community member can make. Courses are typically 60 to 90 minutes and available in most cities. Shield USA recommends every adult in a school building complete a certification course.