For Immediate Release

Friday, Feb. 3, 2017

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

East Bridgewater Police Conduct Active Shooter Training for Town Personnel

EAST BRIDGEWATER — Chief Scott Allen is pleased to announce that Sgt. Michael McLaughlin presented the Citizen Response to Active Shooter Events (CRASE) training to personnel from the Town Council on Aging and East Bridgewater Public Library yesterday.

On Thursday, Feb. 2 at 9 a.m., Sgt. McLaughlin provided the training to the Council On Aging staff at the Community Center (355 Plymouth St.) and later trained library staff members at the East Bridgewater Public Library (32 Union St.)

The CRASE training was developed by the Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT) Center at Texas State University. The 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. Sgt. McLaughlin received training on how to teach the CRASE program at the New York Tactical Officers Association conference in Verona, NY.

Topics covered include the history and prevalence of active shooter events, the role of professional guardians, civilian response options, medical issues and drills. Most importantly, Sgt. McLaughlin walked town personnel through what to do if they are ever in an active shooter situation. Additionally, the training delves into how humans respond to stress and what to do to overcome the physiological responses most people innately feel when confronted with this high-level situation.

“As a department, our mission is to keep the East Bridgewater community safe, and this includes preparing town leaders for any emergency situation,” Chief Allen said. “I commend Sgt. McLaughlin for obtaining this training certificate and using his knowledge to better equip townspeople on how to keep themselves and others safe should an active shooter ever occur in their workplace.”

Sgt. McLaughlin plans to provide this instruction to two local businesses in the coming months, and East Bridgewater Police encourage others to take advantage of CRASE training. To learn more about CRASE training and how to schedule a session, contact Sgt. McLaughlin at 508-378-7223.

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