ALICE stands for Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate. This training has gained popularity as active shootings have become more prominent.
On Oct. 2nd, WSUPD held their second ALICE training course of the semester. Anyone affiliated with Wright State is welcome to sign up for the course.
“We are trying to be the hardest of targets. It sounds bad, but in a weird way you have to be selfish in these times,” said Kurt Holden, certified ALICE instructor and sergeant with the Wright State University Police Department (WSUPD).
WSUPD Sergeant Stephen Powers encourages anyone involved on campus to take the course and gain awareness of how to react if put in an unsafe situation.
The course lasted approximately two hours and consisted of a PowerPoint presentation, visuals, videos and interactive lessons to put what was learned into practice. It gives the opportunity to practice acting appropriately in a dangerous situation.
“We weren’t planning on making our schools a shooting ground,” said Holden.
This training has been implemented in recent years in response to the usual lockdown procedure. Given the number of active shootings, different practices had to be put into place to promote the safety of those involved.
Holden explains that in a dangerous situation, the initial first reaction would be to lockdown. Once taking the interactive course, these practices will replace lockdown drills if the situation calls for it.
Every active shooter scenario is different; therefore, the lockdown procedure cannot be the only method of safety.
Out of stress, most people would fall back on a lockdown procedure due to not knowing any better; this is why WSUPD encourages everyone to take the ALICE course: to learn other options when involved in an active threat.
Powers was also in attendance for the training as the safety officer. This is to ensure that the practical portion remains safe.
The next training course is scheduled for Oct. 15.
