Texas State University awarded $9.8M for active shooter response training

Texas State University’s Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training Center received a $9.8 million grant from the U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin, announced Oct. 13.

The Community Oriented Policing Services grant from the justice department comes under its Preparing for Active Shooter Situations program. The ALERRT Center at Texas State is a partnership between the university, the Hays County Sheriff’s Office and the San Marcos Police Department.

It was created in 2002 for training and research into active shooter response training, according to the university.

“This money will allow us to train approximately 17,000 first responders from across the country to more effectively serve their communities,” said Pete Blair, executive director of the ALERRT Center, in a press release.

The grant will support a scenario-based training program to improve rapid response to active shooter events, according to the release. Funding will also go toward training first responders to also be instructors.

“ALERRT has saved many lives through its valuable training. I am pleased that these funds will ensure more of our first responders are prepared to respond to the inevitable next active shooter event,” Doggett said.