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NEWS RELEASE                                                                       Contact:  Chief Cynthia McAlister

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                              cmcalister@purcellvilleva.gov, 540-338-7422

PURCELLVILLE POLICE HOST IN-PERSON CIVILIAN ACTIVE ATTACK CLASSES

PURCELLVILLE, Va., July 21, 2022 — The Purcellville Police Department is pleased to announce we are once again hosting in-person classes for civilians as part of the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice’s (DCJS) Active Attack Program. The program provides free training for Virginia citizens and first responders to enable them to work together when an active attack occurs. In April, the Purcellville Police hosted three virtual classes, but we are fortunate to offer two in-person classes on Friday, August 5^th and one morning class on Saturday, August 6^th. The Civilian Response and Casualty Care (CRCC) course is a four hour class providing strategies, guidance, and a plan for recognizing, responding to and surviving an active attack event. The class is being offered at three different times; on Friday, August 5^th from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon and again at 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., as well as on Saturday, August 6^th from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., with participants only needing to register for one preferred time slot.  

This class combines the civilian response with the Stop the Bleed Campaign, which empowers civilians to provide life-saving medical aid before first responders ever arrive.  Topics include the history and prevalence of active attack events, civilian response options, and medical issues. Attending the April online class is NOT a prerequisite for attending the in-person class in August.  If one did previously attend an online course, we still encourage participants to attend in-person, since this class allows for hands-on practical based scenario training, and will expand the foundation of knowledge taught during the virtual session. 

The course is designed and built on the Avoid, Deny, Defend/Run, Hide, Fight strategy developed by Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT) in 2004.  All Town of Purcellville and Loudoun County residents, local businesses and community members are encouraged to attend, including school employees, students who are 16 years or older, faith-based communities, and civic organizations. Local first responders including law enforcement, Fire/EMS, dispatchers are also invited to attend. Classes will be held at the Purcellville Town Hall, in the Council Chambers Room, located at 221 S. Nursery Ave, Purcellville, Virginia.

For additional information on the class, please visit the DCJS website at https://www.dcjs.virginia.gov/training-events/civilian-response-and-casualty-care-crcc.

The CRCC class is offered free of charge, and participants must register themselves individually for one course using the following links:

Friday, August 5^th-Morning session at 8am-12pm:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf8yZNs3Llnysb8_Lzn_pERoRAMs4hvdYNsaM7ZDZJp3NYhBg/viewform

Friday, August 5^th Afternoon session at 1pm-5pm:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdtn4Z2xn3rasuFCp47Tih9Z29oEK18EWCTO2Z5gjrg8yOWtA/viewform

Saturday, August 6^th- Session at 9am-1pm:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScXAqnR6O3Zbb9yf82VZkQArNqPcbwYOlqLE5rOw-y93ny_Xg/viewform

“While this is a training I wish we did not have to provide, in light of recent events around our country, taking the time to attend one of these classes could potentially save your life, or the lives of others if you ever find yourself in an active shooter or attack situation. While we all hope this will never happen to us, unfortunately active attacks happen in many different locations, including government buildings, grocery stores, colleges, retail stores, police and fire stations, and schools; all locations that we have in town, or we all visit no matter where we live. I hope that no one among us ever has to witness such an event, but if one ever does occur in your presence, I want you to be prepared for how to act to protect yourself and if able, others too. I encourage you to take a few hours out of your summer to help empower yourself with potentially lifesaving information,” stated Chief Cynthia McAlister. 

The Town of Purcellville, Virginia

“Purcellville-your small Town, where history and progress intersect and people prosper,” is an award-winning town of approximately 10,000 residents located in Loudoun County, approximately 50 miles west of Washington, DC. Having received the 2021 Virginia Municipal League Innovation Award for Environmental Sustainability and in years past, the prestigious Siemens Sustainability Award for Small Communities, Purcellville continues to be honored for innovation and green initiatives.  The Town most recently received the Tree City USA Award for the 14^th consecutive year. The Town was reaffirmed as a AAA rated community by S&P Global Ratings, the highest credit rating possible, and was ranked “Safest City” in Virginia in 2020. Once a stop along the W&OD rail line, which has been converted to a multi-use trail from Alexandria, VA to Purcellville, the Town has maintained its historic old-town feel through the restoration and maintenance of its many downtown structures, reflecting the Victorian architecture popular during the early 1900s. Today, Purcellville is the economic hub of western Loudoun County and a popular weekend destination for antiquing, equestrian activities, farmer’s markets, wineries, breweries, distilleries and restaurants. More info at www.purcellvilleva.gov.

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