
Developed by the ALERRT™ Center at Texas State University
Since 2002, the Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT)™ Program at Texas State University has been used to train law enforcement officers across the nation in how to rapidly respond to dangerous active threat situations. Over the years we’ve seen response times shorten and the capabilities of law enforcement increase. As a result of increased public awareness, many citizens have asked what individuals can do protect themselves and reduce the dangers faced during one of these events. Avoid | Deny | Defend™ has been developed as an easy to remember method for individuals to follow - as we’ve seen that hiding and hoping isn’t a very effective strategy.
Watch the Avoid | Deny | Defend video below on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0It68YxLQQ) for an overview of how to save your life in an active attack event. Always remember - What You Do Matters.

The ALERRT™ Center at Texas State University:
Since 2002, we have trained more than 130,000 law enforcement officers in 50 states, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the District of Columbia in the Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT) ™ standard for active shooter response, primarily through federal and state funding.
Law enforcement officers and agencies are frequently requested by schools, businesses, and community members for direction and presentations on what they should do if confronted with an active shooter event. The Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events (CRASE) course, designed and built on the Avoid Deny Defend™ strategy developed by ALERRT™ in 2004, provides strategies, guidance and a proven plan for surviving an active shooter event. Topics include the history and prevalence of active shooter events, the role of professional guardians, civilian response options, medical issues, and drills.
AVOID starts with your state of mind
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Pay attention to your surroundings.
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Have an exit plan.
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Move away from the source of the threat as quickly as possible.
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The more distance and barriers between you and the threat, the better.
DENY when getting away is difficult or maybe impossible
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Keep distance between you and the source.
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Create barriers to prevent or slow down a threat from getting to you.
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Turn the lights off.
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Remain out of sight and quiet by hiding behind large objects and silence your phone.
Be Prepared
DEFEND because you have the right to protect yourself
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If you cannot Avoid or Deny be prepared to defend yourself. •
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Be aggressive and committed to your actions.
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Do not fight fairly.
THIS IS ABOUT SURVIVAL.