Corrie Meyer, candidate for State Senate Seat 29 (left) and Christine Paulie, Carmel Clerk Treasurer and candidate for Hamilton County Council (right) pose with HCFRW mascot Ellie the Elephant at Wednesday night’s active shooter response training event. (Photos provided)
From 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday evening, the Hamilton County Federated Republican Women (HCFRW) invited the community to learn about active shooter situation. Thieneman Construction, 17219 Foundation Pkwy., Westfield, played host to the event.
Sergeant Bill Clifford of the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department taught CRASE: Citizen Response to Active Shooter Events. Those in attendance learned the ADD (Avoid, Deny and Defend) strategy in preparing for emergency situations. Clifford called it, “a topic I feel every citizen should be aware of.” He also noted it was, “a great turnout on a cold January night.”
Pearson
According to HCFRW President Emily Pearson, approximately 50 people were in attendance.
As one of his duties, Clifford helps train his fellow officers and, at event’s like the one this week, members of the community on how to respond to the threat of an active shooter. Using a series of visual displays and hands-on demonstrations, Clifford explained the current “Avoid, Deny and Defend” strategy for personal survival in active shooter situations.
“It was very informative,” Pearson told The Reporter. “It’s something you hope you never need to know, but at some point, you might need this training.”
According to Pearson, one of the most important things taught was to have a plan of action in the event you are even in these situations.
“Be aware of your circumstance your surroundings,” Pearson said. “Be able to defend yourself if needed.” The examples she pointed out for defense included turning out the lights and locking or securing the door in some way.
Moe
HCFRW member Denise Moe told The Reporter she learned a great deal during Sgt. Clifford’s presentation.
“He played a video recording of Columbine High School,” Moe said. “Listening to the tragedy helped us understand because we could hear the fear and panic in someone’s voice.”
Moe told The Reporter she thought the presentation was important because, “Mass shootings have been on a steep rise in the last several years.”
Another example of an active shooter situation Moe spoke about was the recent outdoor shooting in Las Vegas. “People thought it was firecrackers and dismissed it for several minutes,” Moe said. “No one wants to think the worst, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. If you hear a popping noise or the hairs on the back of your neck stand up, trust your instincts; trust that something is wrong and immediately flee to the first exit.”
Sergeant Bill Clifford of the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department talks to a crowd of nearly 50 people about the “Avoid, Deny and Defend” strategy for dealing with active shooter situations. (Photo provided)
While situational awareness is perhaps the best survival technique, sometimes events spiral out of control and situations arise where life-or-death decisions must be quickly made and put into action.
“Of course, the first thing he talked about is to avoid – run away,” Moe said. “Another thing he talked about was to defend. You have the right to defend yourself. You can use anything: throw anything at the shooter, use a hammer, use a fire extinguisher. Your family wants you to come home to them at night. While law enforcement is doing everything they can, you have the right to defend yourself and be proactive in a situation.”
According to Moe, one important thing she learned was about what to do when the authorities arrive. “When the authorities come, they just know that they are coming to an active shooting situation,” Moe said. “They don’t know who the bad guy is. He [Sgt. Clifford] told us when the authorities come, you should put your hands up and do everything they tell you to do because they do not know who the bad person is and they have to protect themselves.”
In addition to providing the community with valuable training for situations no one wants to face, HCFRW also used the event as an opportunity to raise awareness and collect donations for their Right Now campaign to help Hamilton County families in need.
“One of the great things about the Republican women’s club is that every month for our meeting we bring donations for our Right Now campaign,” Moe told The Reporter. “Sometimes we don’t like to think about it, but there are, I believe, nine to 15 percent of children in our own county that are on free and reduced lunch. These are children whose parents qualify for food assistance. But that only covers food. It doesn’t cover toilet paper, paper towels, sanitary products, deodorant, toothbrushes, laundry detergent or other necessary household items.”
According to HCFRW President Emily Pearson, several hundred dollars’ worth of donations were collected for the Right Now campaign at Wednesday’s event. (Photo provided)
Moe said HCFRW and the Right Now campaign has changed the way she thinks about shopping.
“When I go to the store now, if I see soap is on sale, I’ll stock up for my family and then I’ll stock up a couple more items for another family in need,” Moe said. “It feels so good to be in a political organization where every single meeting we are doing at least a little bit. After a year that really adds up.”
Both Pearson and Moe told The Reporter they were grateful to Thieneman Construction for giving them space and equipment for the event.
“They hosted us free of charge and provided tables, chairs and A/V equipment with a screen,” Moe said. “We really appreciated their hospitality. It’s nice when businesses and corporations open up their facilities after hours for community groups.”
