In-person civilian Active Attack classes offered

The Purcellville Police Department will be once again hosting in-person classes for civilians as part of the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice’s Active Attack Program. The program provides free training for Virginia citizens and first responders to enable them to work together when an active attack occurs.

In April, the Purcellville Police hosted three virtual classes. It will offer two in-person classes on Friday, Aug. 5, and one morning class on Saturday, Aug. 6.

The Civilian Response and Casualty Care course is a four-hour class providing strategies, guidance, and a plan for recognizing, responding to, and surviving an active attack event. The class is being offered at three different times:on Friday, Aug. 5, from 8 a.m. to 12 noon and again from 1 to 5 p.m., as well as on Saturday, Aug. 6, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., with participants only needing to register for one preferred time slot. 

The class combines the civilian response with the Stop the Bleed Campaign, which empowers civilians to provide life-saving medical aid before first responders ever arrive.  Topics include the history and prevalence of active attack events, civilian response options, and medical issues. 

Attending the April online class is not a prerequisite for attending the in-person class in August.  If one did previously attend an online course, participants are still encouraged to attend in person since this class allows for hands-on, practical-based scenario training and will expand the foundation of knowledge taught during the virtual session.

The course is designed and built on the Avoid, Deny, Defend/Run, Hide, Fight strategy developed by Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training in 2004.  All Town of Purcellville and Loudoun County residents, local businesses, and community members are encouraged to attend, including school employees, students who are 16 years or older, faith-based communities, and civic organizations.

Local first responders including law enforcement, Fire/EMS, dispatchers are also invited to attend. Classes will be held at the Purcellville Town Hall in the Council Chambers Room located at 221 S. Nursery Ave, Purcellville.

For additional information on the class, visit the DCJS website at https://www.dcjs.virginia.gov/training-events/civilian-response-and-casualty-care-crcc.

The CRCC class is offered free of charge, and participants must register themselves individually for one course using the following links:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf8yZNs3Llnysb8_Lzn_pERoRAMs4hvdYNsaM7ZDZJp3NYhBg/viewform

Friday, Aug. 5-Afternoon session at 1 p.m.-5 p.m.:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdtn4Z2xn3rasuFCp47Tih9Z29oEK18EWCTO2Z5gjrg8yOWtA/viewform

Saturday, Aug. 6- Session at 9 a.m.-1 p.m.:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScXAqnR6O3Zbb9yf82VZkQArNqPcbwYOlqLE5rOw-y93ny_Xg/viewform

“While this is a training I wish we did not have to provide, in light of recent events around our country, taking the time to attend one of these classes could potentially save your life or the lives of others if you ever find yourself in an active shooter or attack situation.

“While we all hope this will never happen to us, unfortunately, active attacks happen in many different locations, including government buildings, grocery stores, colleges, retail stores, police and fire stations, and school—all locations that we have in town, or we all visit no matter where we live. I hope that no one among us ever has to witness such an event, but if one ever does occur in your presence, I want you to be prepared for how to act to protect yourself and, if able, others, too. I encourage you to take a few hours out of your summer to help empower yourself with potentially lifesaving information,” said Purcellville Chief Cynthia McAlister.

For additional information on the class, visit the DCJS website at https://www.dcjs.virginia.gov/training-events/civilian-response-and-casualty-care-crcc.