Can law enforcement and other first-responders completely protect us from immediate harm all the time?   What does the term first responder imply?  It implies something has already occurred and they are responding to it. What do you do in the meantime; the time before the good guys with guns show up.

We can't simply avoid places where shooting incidents have occurred.  Sadly, we have seen incidents in schools, churches, nigh clubs, concerts etc.  It would be impossible for us to avoid all places where something might occur.  We must choose to live our lives without fear, but adapt to danger everywhere.

Your law enforcement and public safety agencies are completely united in our goal to protect you by getting to an emergency situation as fast as we possibly can.  But for the time before we arrive, we want to teach you a few simple steps you can use to save lives by protecting yourself and those around you.  Those steps are called AVOID-DENY-DEFEND and they are part of a larger plan called CRASE (Civilian Response to Active Shooter Event).  The idea is that we must all PLAN in advance so that we will be ready if we ever found ourselves in a tragic situation like an active shooter event.

The tips that follow are NOT meant to replace attending a full CRASE seminar.  Several local agencies host CRASE seminars throughout each year.  If you have never attended one we urge you to do so.

AVOID (starts with your state of mind)

• Pay attention to your surroundings
• Have an exit plan
• Move away from the source of the threat as quickly as possible
• The more distance and barriers between you and the threat, the better

DENY (when getting away is difficult or maybe even impossible)

• Keep distance between you and the source
• Create barriers to prevent or slow down a threat from getting to you
• Turn the lights off
• Remain out of sight and quiet by hiding behind large objects and silencing your phone

DEFEND (because you have the right to protect yourself)

• If you cannot AVOID or DENY be prepared to DEFEND yourself
• Be aggressive and committed to your actions
• Do not fight fairly.  This is about SURVIVAL
• Target the EYES, BREATHING and WEAPON of the attacker

CALL 911 when you are in a safe area.  Inform the 911 operator that there is an active shooter situation.

When law enforcement arrives, show your hands and follow their commands.

Here are some short video clips from a recent CRASE seminar.  Depending on your internet speed and computer they may take a minute or two to load and play.  Please take a few minutes and watch each one.  The information included is CRUCIAL in how you handle yourself in the time between the START of an event and the time when the first good man or woman with a gun arrives to confront the attacker.

OODA Cycle video clip:OODA Cycle

BE The Change video clip:Be The Change

Three Stages of Disaster Response video clip:Three Stages...

Improvised Weapons video clip:Improvised Weapons

If you have a residence or business inside the Marietta City Limits and have specific questions about safety or preparedness drills please contact our Public Information Officer Chuck McPhilamy via email.  Make sure to include your specific questions so we can get you connected to the best person to respond: cmcphilamy@mariettaga.gov

The time between the start of an event and the time the police stop the attacker is critical!  The choices you make in that critical time window can save lives and prevent injuries.  We URGE you to take time to prepare yourself just in case.  Choose to live your life without fear.  Become more aware of your surroundings and ready to take action if necessary.