DAWSON COUNTY, Ga. – Between 100 and 120 people filed into the Georgia Racing Hall  of Fame Monday evening to hear Area 6 Homeland Security coordinator Kevin Sheffield’s presentation on Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events (CRASE)

Capt. Marcus Sewell, who commands Criminal Investigations Division for the Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office, organize and promoted the event.

Those who attended came from as far away as Snellville in Gwinnett County.

Doss Wallace, 71, lives in Dawsonville and is a church deacon. “I wanted to increase my knowledge about what is going on,” he said. “I was notified by the head of our deacons this class was being taught. Because of recent incidents that have happened in churches across the country we thought it might not be a bad idea to stay up to date on everything and be willing to protect people.”

Dennis Cottongim, 62, of Cumming, said, “I want to get the official steps on what authorities will do in case of an active shooter,” he said. “It’s always in the news, all across the internet. Something happens constantly and I still have children in school and grandchildren coming up.”

Sheffield earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and master’s degree in emergency management from Jacksonville State University. He has 21 years’ law enforcement experience and has served as a firearms instructor in combat zone.

He encouraged the audience to change the way they think. “Try to think of things ahead of time,” he said. “Under stress the brain doesn’t function well. Get prepared. You’re going to make a better decision.

He stressed keeping calm by controlling breathing to reduce heart beats per minute. “That’s going to calm you down and help you make a better decision.”

He also encouraged mental scripting, or planning what you would do in different scenarios. But he acknowledged, “there is no cookie cutter way to do this. There is a way but not the way.”

He also discussed a three-step process that can be effective: Avoid, deny and defend. For example, if you’re in a public place such as a shopping mall and you hear a shot, avoid the area if possible. Leave and call 911.

If you’re in a class room, deny the shooter access to the room by blocking the doorway and staying away from doors and windows. Even a door that opens outward can be blocked by heavy objects that will at least slow the shooter down and give law enforcement time to get there.

When the first two steps fail, be prepared to defend yourself and others with whatever it takes. If someone is coming through the door, don’t stand across the room. Stand next to the door where you can attack him. Any object can be a weapon, a chair, a computer monitor.

“A fire extinguisher is my absolute favorite,” he said. “They are everywhere. You can buy them at Costco for $15 or $20, those little personal ones. Keep one next to your bed or in your office. When you spray someone with a fire extinguisher, he can’t see, can’t breathe. Its heavy enough you can go to beating him with it. Be determined, ‘I’m going home tonight. I’m going to fight dirty every time.”

Some critical takeaways: Be prepared, stay calm, deny a shooter access and be prepared to defend yourself at all costs.

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