Police

Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events (CRASE) Trainings

YOU hold the power to make a difference in your safety and the safety of others in those crucial first 3 minutes. Learning the principles of what to do in an active shooter incident can significantly increase your chance of survival. These principles are:

Avoid
Deny
Defend

Also referred to as “Run, Hide, Fight”.

Officers present strategies developed by Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT) and active shooter case studies that highlight strategies used by survivors and the ultimate outcomes of their choices.

This training is available in two formats (see below for descriptions.) A minimum of 2 hours is needed to carry out this training, but more time may be necessary depending on group size.

Both training formats are FREE.

Attending As An Individual

If your group size is less than 15, we request that participants attend training provided at the Madison Police Department (MPD) Training Center.  MPD personnel provide this training as a collateral assignment; as a result, the number of trainings we can provide is limited.  You can sign-up for this training through EventBrite. Upcoming dates are listed below.

  • November 5, 2025: 8:00 a.m. - 10 a.m.

Bring Training To Your Group

If your group size is more than 15, we can lead the presentation at your organization or business. In addition to the minimum attendance requirement, your facility must have the necessary audio-visual equipment to display a slide deck presentation.

Group sign-up

  • 3 minutes Median police response time to an active shooter
  • 57% Percentage of active shooter calls that are over before police even arrive
  • 46% Percentage of active shooter incidents that occur at a place of business

Additional Training and Resources

Stop The Bleed

Bleeding injuries can happen anywhere, not just in an active shooter event.  This 2-hour class will prepare you to recognize life-threatening bleeding and act quickly to control it.  This course is offered online through StopTheBleed.org , and is available in a hands-on format at the Madison Police Department Training Center on the following dates list below.  You can sign-up for this training through EventBrite.

  • November 5, 2025: 10:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

CRASE Part 2

In this follow-up to the CRASE classroom training, students will dive deeper into the topics of defending against a shooter and providing basic first aid to traumatic wounds. This class builds on the information provided in CRASE Part 1 about disarming a shooter by giving students the opportunity to practice this skill with trained instructors.  Next, students will practice self-defense techniques and discuss team tactics for defense.  Finally, instructors will address basic gunshot trauma care and provide students with the opportunity to practice applying tourniquets and packing wounds. This training is conducted in a low-stress manner; although the training involves some very light physical activity students should not feel intimidated about attending.

Anyone who attended the Part 1 classroom presentation is eligible to attend this training.  To reserve your spot, please e-mail crase@cityofmadison.com.

  • Next Class:  November 19, 2025 – 6:00pm-8:30pm

Sign-Up for Emergency Alerts from Dane County Emergency Management

You can sign-up to receive free local emergency notifications by text, email, or both. Signing-up will enable county and local officials to alert you about potentially life-threatening and public safety emergencies in your community. Signing up for this service will allow local authorities to alert you about emergencies like:

  • Armed person/active shooter
  • Hazardous materials incidents
  • Gas leaks
  • Missing persons

ALERRT

The Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events (CRASE) curriculum was developed by Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT) in 2004, and is now a national standard.  Visit the ALERRT website for more information about CRASE and their other training opportunities:  ALERRT

Active Shooter Statistics

Learn more about the data used to develop the CRASE curriculum here:  Active Shooter Statistics

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