Crime & Safety
Madison, WI Police Offer Free Active Shooter Training Nov 9
Madison, WI – Residents across Madison and Dane County have an opportunity to learn potentially lifesaving skills as the Madison Police Department promotes free civilian active shooter response traini
By Nolan Pierce · 2026-10-12T16:31:09.214Z
Madison, WI – Residents across Madison and Dane County have an opportunity to learn potentially lifesaving skills as the Madison Police Department promotes free civilian active shooter response training designed to help people prepare for dangerous situations.
According to the Madison Police Department, the Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events CRASE program teaches participants how to respond during the critical first moments of an active shooter incident, before law enforcement arrives.
The training focuses on three key strategies: Avoid, Deny and Defend. Participants learn how to recognize dangerous situations, escape when possible, prevent an attacker from gaining access to their location and respond defensively as a last resort.
Police emphasize that knowing how to react during an emergency can make a significant difference when seconds matter.
The department offers free training for individuals and organizations, including businesses, community groups and other interested participants.
For individuals, Madison police request that groups of fewer than 15 people attend scheduled training sessions at the department's Training Center. Participants must register in advance.
Organizations with 15 or more attendees can request a separate training session at their own location or business. These presentations typically last at least two hours, depending on group size.
The department's training webpage lists an individual session for Monday, November 9, 2026, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Additional offerings include Stop the Bleed training and a second CRASE course covering more advanced response strategies.
Residents can also explore emergency preparedness resources and sign up for Dane County emergency alerts through links provided by the department.
The training announcement is a preparedness initiative and does not indicate an ongoing active shooter emergency.
Residents interested in participating can find registration information through the City of Madison Police Department's official website.