What to Know About Wareham PD’s ‘ALERRT’ Mass Casualty Training Program

Active shooter situations and mass casualty events are nothing short of devastating.

It is reassuring to know that local law enforcement is doing everything possible to prepare for the worst.

The Wareham Police Department has taken a proactive approach to training and tactics around active shooter and mass casualty events.

Here’s how Wareham PD, Wareham Fire Department and Onset Fire Department have kept themselves educated and prepared in the case of danger.

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What Is Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training?

Over the past several months, a team of Wareham Police officers and firefighters from both Wareham and Onset have hosted a multi-agency active shooter training program called Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (A.L.E.R.R.T).

Created in 2002 at Texas State University, A.L.E.R.R.T addressed the need for active shooter response training for first responders. In 2013, it was named the National Standard in Active Shooter Response Training by the FBI, and since then, A.L.E.R.R.T has delivered training across the nation with more than $136 million in federal and state funding.

According to Texas State University, more than 303,928 state, local, and tribal first responders have received A.L.E.R.R.T training to date, all at no cost to first responders or agencies.

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A.L.E.R.R.T in Massachusetts

The Municipal Police Training Committee of Massachusetts (MPTC) has adopted this curriculum and it will be implemented in upcoming recruit academy classes across the Commonwealth.

“Police, Fire, and EMS agencies including major cities and universities from across Massachusetts have attended this training hosted by the Town of Wareham,” Sgt. Bryan Whalen said. “The training has included civilian role players from Wareham District Court and Water Wizz water park, all of whom will attend our Civilian Response Active Shooter Event course.

It's all about staying prepared and keeping communities safe during crises. Knowledge is power and local law enforcement continues to prove that continued education is a top priority.