In the event targeted violence does occur, school personnel must be able to act quickly to mitigate the threat. The South Dakota School Safety Center can help schools prepare by providing free training, designed and built on the Avoid, Deny, Defend strategy. This discussion and exercise based training model utilizes concepts and principles designed by the Department of Homeland Security and Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT). The South Dakota School Safety Center will train school staff to recognize behaviors on the pathway to violence, with the goal of preventing a school attack, and to prepare a plan for response in case of an attack. The training will also provide strategies, guidance, and a proven plan for surviving an active shooter event.

To request free Active Shooter Preparedness training, contact the South Dakota School Safety Center at 605-773-3450, or email South Dakota School Safety Program Director Brett Garland at brett.garland@state.sd.us.