Executive Summary
- Bridgewater Police will host active shooter training on March 6 at Arey Hall.
- The curriculum uses the “Avoid, Deny, Defend” strategy developed by ALERRT.
- Participants will receive training in “Stop the Bleed” medical interventions.
- The event is free, but pre-registration is required via the DCJS website.
BRIDGEWATER, Va. — The Bridgewater Police Department announced it will conduct a Civilian Response and Casualty Care (CRCC) training session on Friday, March 6, in collaboration with the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services. The event is designed to prepare residents and local organizations for potential active threat situations.
The four-hour session is scheduled to take place from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Arey Hall, located within the Bridgewater Community Center on Green Street. According to department officials, the initiative aims to educate local business owners, church congregations, and the general public on effective response protocols during active shooter incidents.
Instructors will utilize the “Avoid, Deny, Defend” strategy—often referred to as “Run, Hide, Fight”—which was developed in 2004 by the Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training center. The curriculum is designed to provide civilians with actionable strategies to enhance survivability when facing an immediate threat.
In addition to tactical response, the course incorporates medical training principles from the Stop the Bleed Coalition. Participants will learn fundamental life-saving interventions intended to stabilize victims before emergency medical services can secure the scene. While there is no cost to attend the event, authorities noted that pre-registration through the Department of Criminal Justice Services website is mandatory.
Public Safety Preparedness
The provision of this civilian training reflects a shifting paradigm in law enforcement strategy, emphasizing that immediate on-site response by bystanders can significantly mitigate casualties before police arrival. By integrating tactical avoidance with emergency medical care, agencies are acknowledging the critical time gap between the onset of violence and the deployment of first responders. This proactive approach seeks to build community resilience, equipping residents with the skills necessary to execute life-saving measures during critical incidents.
