February 19, 2018
East Texas Baptist University held an Active Shooter Training with the Marshall Police Department (MPD) on Tuesday, February 7 for the staff of Student Affairs and University Security. The Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events (CRASE) course, developed by ALERRT in 2004, provides strategies, guidance, and a proven plan for surviving an active shooter event.
"I've been with the Marshall Police Department for nearly 17 years and our department recognizes that training our community on how to deal with a potential active shooter incident is a critical piece of our mission," Lieutenant Leonard Ames shared. "The men and women of the Marshall Police Department are grateful for the opportunity to partner with East Texas Baptist University to provide their faculty, staff, and students information about the Avoid, Deny, Defend (ADD) Strategy."
The Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT) Center at Texas State University was created in 2002 as a partnership between Texas State University, the San Marcos Texas Police Department, and the Hays County Texas Sheriff's Office to address the need for active shooter training for first responders. In 2013, ALERRT at Texas State was named the National Standard in Active Shooter Response Training by the FBI.
"While we pray for God's protection and prevention of an active shooter situation at ETBU, it is our responsibility to remain vigilant in preparation. The University is grateful for the partnership with the Marshall Police Department in securing campus safety," ETBU Vice President for Enrollment and Administrative Affairs Kevin Caffey said. "MPD has proven to be proactive through their leadership and service. We appreciate Captain John Best and Lieutenant Ames for visiting campus to conduct the active shooter training."
The University also hosted an active shooter training for all students, faculty, and staff during the chapel service in February led by Lieutenant Ames. In addition to working full-time at the Marshall Police Department, Lieutenant Ames is a certified ALERRT instructor, part-time MPD-ETBU campus police officer, and junior Criminal Justice major at East Texas Baptist.
"The safety of the ETBU campus community is our first priority and the trainings were another step to provide protection," ETBU Director of Security, Compliance, and Accountability Larry Northcutt commented. "Lt. Ames and the Marshall police force have always been faithful to ETBU and we know that they share our concerns and support our mission. We are thankful to have them as reliable allies."
The Public Servant Scholarship, an additional aspect of the partnership between East Texas Baptist and the city of Marshall, provides reduced cost tuition at the University to all full-time Marshall Fire Department and Marshall Police Department employees. Covering one-half of undergraduate tuition and one-third of graduate tuition, the opportunity allows for an affordable and accessible Christ-centered education. The city and the University work together to create an informed and prepared community for all residents.