Active violence incidents in workplaces and public spaces across the United States have increased significantly over the last decade. From the tragedy at Virginia Tech to the heartbreak of Sandy Hook and beyond, these events remind us that no community is immune—including construction and industrial sites. When an active shooter enters a populated area with the intent to kill people, the situation can evolve rapidly, leaving everyone on site with mere seconds to respond. These shootings involve the use of firearms and are highly unpredictable, making it difficult for law enforcement to stop the shooting and ensure safety. In most cases, active shooters use firearms and display no pattern or method for the selection of their victims. Unlike hostage or barricaded subject situations, which often take longer and usually do not involve ongoing injury or loss of life, active shooter situations are characterized by immediate threats and ongoing harm.
Traditional emergency response plans focus on fire, severe weather, and medical events. However, many organizations still lack a clear plan for what to do when violence erupts. This gap leaves employees uncertain, leadership unprepared, and lives at unnecessary risk.
ABC Rocky Mountain stands as a trusted leader in Colorado’s construction safety and workforce development community. With a long-standing commitment to proactive risk management, the organization continues to expand its training offerings to address the threats that matter most.
AVERT Active Violence Emergency Response Training helps organizations move from hoping it never happens to being genuinely prepared to protect lives. Here’s what makes this training essential:
ABC Rocky Mountain, in partnership with Trivent Safety Consulting, is proud to host an upcoming AVERT Active Violence Emergency Response Training session designed specifically for Colorado’s construction and business community.
The Wheat Ridge location offers easy access for organizations along Colorado’s Front Range, making it convenient for teams from Denver, Boulder, Colorado Springs, and surrounding areas.
Visit abcrmc.org for online registration, detailed agenda information, and any pre-course online learning requirements. The website also provides access to training materials, guidelines, and emergency protocols related to active shooter preparedness. Seating will be limited to preserve hands-on practice time, so early enrollment is encouraged for safety managers, superintendents, foremen, HR leaders, and front-line workers alike.
AVERT is a nationally recognized Active Violence and Emergency Response program developed by medical and law enforcement professionals specifically for the public and workplace environments. Unlike tactical training designed for security personnel or officers, AVERT focuses on giving everyday employees the knowledge and confidence to respond when danger strikes.
The program addresses active shooter and active violence scenarios where individuals are actively attempting to seriously injure or harm others using a firearm, knives, vehicles, or other weapons. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security defines an active shooter as someone engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a confined and populated area—a definition that forms the foundation of AVERT’s curriculum.
AVERT teaches a simple, action-oriented framework that helps participants:
The curriculum is adapted specifically for non-law-enforcement participants, with language, scenarios, and drills designed for everyday workers, supervisors, and leaders. The program complements existing coordination with local law enforcement, university police, EMS, and emergency response procedures—it does not replace them.
National trends in active violence incidents have made preparedness essential across all sectors, including Colorado’s construction, industrial, and commercial workplaces. While many associate these tragedies with schools or public venues, the reality is that any location can become a target.
Construction jobsites, offices, warehouses, fabrication shops, and training centers share common vulnerabilities:
In an active shooter situation, law enforcement arrives as quickly as possible, but life-threatening injuries and critical decisions occur within the first 60 to 180 seconds. Research shows that participants trained in multi-option response approaches can respond up to three minutes faster than those using lockdown-only procedures—a difference that can mean life or death for victims.
AVERT gives employees the tools to:
This course is about preparation, empowerment, and responsible action—not fear-mongering. It represents another essential layer of modern workplace safety, alongside fall protection, electrical safety, and equipment operation training.
Participants in the March 3, 2026 AVERT session will gain practical, immediately applicable skills that can save lives. Here’s what the training covers:
AVERT develops the habit of staying aware of your surroundings at all times. Participants learn to:
The training teaches response options similar to the Run, Hide, Fight or Avoid, Deny, Defend models endorsed by public safety experts. Participants learn to choose the best option based on:
Understanding that different situations require different responses puts decision making power in the hands of those confronting the threat, rather than relying on a single lockdown approach.
Severe bleeding injuries often accompany violent incidents. When violence occurs, seconds count, and you can’t always wait for EMS to arrive. AVERT includes Stop the Bleed-style training covering:
Training scenarios mirror real-world settings such as multi-story office buildings, open construction sites, and warehouse floor layouts. This allows attendees to mentally rehearse responses for their own specific work locations.
AVERT uses a blended learning approach that respects busy schedules while delivering high-impact, skills-based education. The format aligns with adult learning best practices and maximizes hands-on practice time.
Pre-Session Online Coursework
Before attending the March 3, 2026 in-person session, participants complete online modules covering:
This preparation ensures classroom time focuses on practice rather than lecture.
In-Person Skills Lab
The four-hour session at Trivent Safety Consulting includes:
This format delivers comprehensive training without requiring multiple full days away from the jobsite—a critical consideration for the construction industry.
Active violence preparedness is most effective when embraced by leadership and integrated into company-wide safety culture. Training a few individuals is helpful; training entire teams transforms organizational readiness.
ABC Rocky Mountain encourages the following approach:
| Role | Why They Should Attend |
|---|---|
| Executives and owners | Set expectations, demonstrate commitment, authorize resources |
| Project managers | Coordinate site-specific planning, communicate with clients |
| Superintendents and foremen | Lead on-site response, support orderly evacuations |
| Safety directors | Integrate AVERT into existing programs, document training |
| HR professionals | Address employee concerns, support post-event recovery |
| Front-line workers | Execute response plans, assist others, apply medical skills |
When supervisors and leadership attend together, they can align on response expectations, communication protocols, and site-specific procedures. After the March 3 training, organizations should plan:
Having supervisors trained in AVERT strengthens on-site leadership during crises and helps coordinate effectively with arriving first responders.
ABC Rocky Mountain is committed to building a world-class, safety-driven merit shop construction community across Colorado. The organization’s existing safety programs already address fall protection, electrical hazards, equipment operation, and OSHA compliance. AVERT adds critical preparedness for low-frequency but high-consequence violent events.
Many universities offer introductory and in-depth training sessions on active shooter preparedness for students and staff. Behavioral interventions and safety awareness are emphasized in active shooter training programs to help students and staff recognize potential threats and reduce the risk of an attack.
Offering AVERT training reflects a proactive, due-diligence approach that supports:
Integrating active violence training into existing safety programs demonstrates to employees, clients, and stakeholders that leadership takes comprehensive safety seriously. This goes beyond checking boxes—it reflects a genuine investment in the people who build Colorado.
Companies should view AVERT as a recurring component of their annual safety training calendar, especially for:
AVERT is designed for a broad cross-section of personnel, not just security professionals or those with prior tactical experience. The course meets participants where they are and builds confidence through practical, accessible instruction.
Recommended Attendees:
Organizations benefit most when they send cross-functional groups. Decision-makers, communicators, and responders all need a shared understanding of how to act in a crisis. When everyone speaks the same language and understands the plan, coordination during an emergency becomes dramatically more effective.
Texas State University has developed and implemented effective active shooter response protocols and training programs for both students and faculty, setting a standard for campus safety and emergency preparedness.
Contractors should also consider inviting key clients or facility partners when appropriate. Multi-employer worksites—common in construction—require aligned expectations. Using the March 3 training as an opportunity to build that alignment strengthens relationships and enhances overall site safety.
Registration for the March 3, 2026 AVERT Active Violence Emergency Response Training is available now through abcrmc.org.
Pricing:
ABC Rocky Mountain members benefit from preferred training rates throughout the year, along with access to broader safety training, workforce development programs, and industry advocacy. Organizations not yet members should explore membership opportunities to maximize their training investments.
Before You Attend:
Due to the hands-on nature of the course and limited seating, early registration is strongly recommended. Don’t wait until spots fill up—act now to secure your team’s participation.
AVERT Active Shooter and Active Violence Training through ABC Rocky Mountain and Trivent Safety Consulting helps organizations prepare for the unthinkable with practical, life-saving skills. The course transforms uncertainty into confidence, equipping participants to assess situations, make rapid decisions, and take action when it matters most.
In most cases, active violence incidents unfold faster than emergency response can arrive. Waiting passively for first responders is not enough. Trained employees equipped with response options and bleeding control skills can make the difference between life and death for themselves and their coworkers.
If you find yourself involved in an active shooter situation, try to remain calm and call 9-1-1 or University Police as soon as possible. Once you have reached a safe location, you will likely be held in that area by law enforcement until the situation is under control.
The decision to attend the March 3, 2026 training delivers long-term benefits:
Take action now. Register at abcrmc.org and integrate AVERT into your ongoing safety and emergency planning efforts. Because when seconds count, preparation is what separates those who respond from those who don’t. Stay safe.
AVERT is designed for organizations of all sizes, including small contractors with fewer than 20 employees and single-location offices. The content scales to any environment, from a small office building to a large campus spread across multiple structures. Smaller firms often benefit even more from this training because they typically lack dedicated security service staff or full-time safety professionals. Sending at least one decision-maker and one front-line employee to the March 3, 2026 session builds internal capability that can then be shared across the team through toolbox talks and informal training.
AVERT does not involve firearms training, weapons use, or martial arts instruction. The program focuses on avoidance, escape, finding a secure hiding place, barricading, and improvised defense only as a last resort when no other options exist. Medical response through Stop the Bleed techniques rounds out the curriculum. The goal is to provide practical response options for ordinary people under realistic workplace conditions, without requiring prior tactical experience. The environment is professional, safety-focused, and appropriate for all comfort levels. Participants should expect to move, practice decisions under simulated stress, and learn life-saving medical skills—not to handle weapons.
Scenarios are realistic enough to build stress-management skills but are carefully controlled by instructors to remain respectful and professional. Participants are briefed on what to expect before each drill and can step out briefly if they feel overwhelmed. Instructors are available to debrief and talk through concerns after exercises. The emphasis throughout is on building confidence and preparedness rather than on graphic content or shock value. Unlike some approaches that have caused controversy—such as drills using airsoft pellets or rubber bullets that have injured participants—AVERT maintains strict safety standards and never uses ammunition of any type. This approach aligns with guidelines that prohibit practices likely to cause physical harm or psychological trauma.
Many organizations use AVERT as a catalyst to review and update their written emergency action plans, including active shooter and active threat annexes. Attendees are encouraged to bring questions about their current plans to the session. Concepts learned on March 3, 2026 can be integrated into evacuation maps, communication protocols, and jobsite orientation materials. For organizations needing assistance tailoring plans for specific facilities or multi-employer jobsites, follow-up support is available through ABC Rocky Mountain or Trivent Safety Consulting. This integration approach reflects the broader principle that training should lead to documented procedures and regular practice—not just a one-time event.
Participants can expect a certificate of completion or similar documentation from the AVERT program, which companies can keep on file for training and compliance records. Organizations should log AVERT completion in their internal safety training databases or HR systems to document due diligence. This documentation supports internal audits, client prequalification requirements, and broader safety program metrics. For companies working on projects with specific security verification requirements or those subject to client safety assessments, having documented active violence training demonstrates a comprehensive approach to workplace protection.
