Knowing what to do in the first moments of an active threat can make a difference, and the Sachse Police Department is offering residents an opportunity to learn how to respond.

The department will host a free Civilian Response to an Active Shooter Event, or CRASE, training at 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, at the Sachse Public Safety Building, 3815-D Sachse Road.

The community training is built around the Avoid, Deny, Defend model, which teaches civilians options for responding when confronted with an active shooter or similar threat.

The course is open to residents, business owners, employees and anyone interested in becoming better prepared. There is no cost to attend and registration is not required.

CRASE was developed by the Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training Center, or ALERRT, at Texas State University. The program was designed in response to requests from schools, businesses and communities seeking guidance on how civilians should respond during active shooter events.

ALERRT developed the Avoid, Deny, Defend strategy in 2004. The model encourages people to first avoid the danger and move to a safe location when possible. If escape is not possible, the next option is to deny an attacker access to their location. Defending oneself is considered a last resort when faced with a life-threatening situation.

The concepts are similar to the more widely recognized Run, Hide, Fight model, but ALERRT uses different terminology intentionally.

According to ALERRT, “Avoid” recognizes that not everyone may be physically able to run, while “Deny” emphasizes taking steps to prevent an attacker from gaining access rather than simply hiding. “Defend” describes taking action to protect oneself as a last resort.

The organization emphasizes that regardless of the terminology used, the goal is for civilians to have a plan, remain aware of their surroundings and understand that their actions during an emergency matter.

CRASE training also provides information about the history and prevalence of active shooter events, civilian response options and medical considerations. Law enforcement officers who complete ALERRT’s instructor training can then provide the information to schools, businesses and members of their communities.

The Sachse class is part of that community outreach and gives participants an opportunity to learn the response principles directly from local law enforcement before they are ever faced with an emergency.

The free training begins at 9 a.m. Oct. 3 at the Sachse Public Safety Building, 3815-D Sachse Road. No advance registration is required.

For additional information about CRASE and the Avoid, Deny, Defend model, visit alerrt.org.

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