Active Assailant Preparedness Training will be offered by Rotary and Windham Police

Incidents of active assailants attacking innocent people are hitting the news with disturbing frequency. How prepared is your business for such a catastrophic event?

With the intention to better inform and prepare for such a circumstance, The Sebago Lake Rotary Club is working in conjunction with The Windham Police Department to offer a two-hour Active Assailant Preparedness Training on Thursday, October 3 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The lunch time event will be held at the Windham Veterans Center, 35 Veterans Memorial Drive.

All participants will receive this certificate

The Active Assailant Preparedness Training Program is designed to plan and make an individual ready for the unthinkable. 

Participants will be taught the Citizen Response to Active Assailant Training utilizing the Avoid Deny Defend Tactic^TM. Officer Matt Cyr will lead the workshop and is certified through the ALERRT^TM Center at Texas State University. Those in attendance will learn the psychology behind what motives an active assailant as well as the range of emotions and physiological steps a victim goes through in these types of situations. Each individual will receive a certificate of completion for the training.

According to www.avoiddenydefend.org website “The campaign is designed to provide all civilians with knowledge that will empower and instill confidence to survive an active shooter attack whether at work, church, the movie theater or anywhere else they may be.  It is not intended to frighten, but to empower and strengthen the ability to survive. Avoid  Deny  Defend™  is designed as an awareness tool that will empower and instill confidence to civilians of all ages and abilities,  helping them understand that ‘What You Do Matters™’ in an active shooter event.”

“The Sebago Lake Rotary Club is best known for our local fund-raising efforts; however, we are committed to providing many other valuable resources to our community,” stated Rotary member, Tricia Zwirner. “We recognize that it’s our responsibility to begin some very tough conversations and create an open dialogue with our local citizens. The threat of an active shooter has become a reality in our society, so we are offering this valuable training to prepare community members with the skills and knowledge necessary to empower them to take action and save lives. It’s not where we want to be but it’s where we have to be.” 

“It’s important to provide practical training for situations that are unexpected and potentially tragic,” began Rotary member Mark Morrison. “The training will help prepare participants to avoid possible damage in pubic places and minimize worst case scenarios.”

Anyone who is interested in participating in this training is welcomed to join in, however seating is limited. Deadline to register is on Wednesday, September 25th. Although the training is free, there is a $10 lunch charge that must be ordered when registering. To register for the event, email at margebarker173@gmail.com. Payment for the lunch will be accepted at the door.

A special thanks to the sponsors of the event. They include Tricia Zwirner of State Farm, First Light Home Care, Gorham Savings Bank and the Town of Windham. <