TSTC police encourage CRASE training to keep campuses safe

(WACO, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s police department is leading a campaign to educate TSTC students, faculty and staff about safety during crisis events.

The department is working toward a goal of having all faculty and staff on all 10 TSTC campuses reach 100% completion of their Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events, or CRASE, training.

“It is a presentation that offers the ability for the officers to …  talk about these different types of lifesaving techniques and different types of tactics that our (campus) community can use or do whenever they are confronted with an active assailant-type situation,” Sgt. Michael Salinas of the TSTC police department said.

Salinas said the ultimate goal of the training is to save lives and that by even one person receiving the training, he hopes it will protect others as well.

“Every time I go out there and do this training, it is always with the intent or goal that every bit of information I put out there is going to be a lifesaving tool for this individual that’s hearing it,” he said. “One of the main benefits about it is that once they receive this education, this training, even having discussions with their supervisors, they then become the conduits of safety in the event that an active attack takes place and they’re in a room of 30 others that don’t know what to do.”

Salinas said a key point from the presentation that he hopes people walk away with is the acronym ADD, or “avoid, deny, defend.” He said he likes to extend that to “avoid with a purpose, deny with a purpose, and defend with a purpose.” 

By teaching that acronym, Salinas hopes to remind people that they have options should a crisis situation occur.

Marcus Balch, provost of TSTC’s North Texas campus, encourages participation in this training and remarked on the importance of it.

“I think it is a critical training,” he said. “For me, it’s not only about safety and awareness on campus, but it can also be applied to your daily life.”

Barton Day, provost of TSTC’s Marshall campus, echoed the statement.

“Being even a little bit prepared for a horrible situation is far better than not at all,” he said. “I could not more strongly recommend this type of training, whether it’s the first time or your 10th. Be familiar, and have a plan.”

For more information on TSTC, go to tstc.edu.