In the aftermath of the death of Alamogordo Police Officer Anthony Ferguson on July 16, 2023, and other recent active shooter incidents, several law enforcement officers, counselors, social workers and attorneys collaborated with nationally recognized subject matter experts to develop a first-of-its-kind fully comprehensive three-day training program to teach police, mental health professionals, prosecutorial attorneys and education-based clinical teams to recognize, assess, and prevent active shooter violence and other forms of planned violence. This project is housed in a non-partisan 501(c)(3) called Prevent the Aftermath, Inc. (PTA).
PTA’s philosophy is rooted in procedural guidance and recommendations from former Vermont Lt. Governor Molly Gray, former Vermont U.S. Attorney Christina Nolan, and New Mexico 12th Judicial Judge Angie K. Schneider. The concept builds and expounds upon existing crisis response community networks to employ all available social service resources to manage and deter individuals who have made plans or stated the intent to commit violence. This approach to active shooter training is entirely different from the vast majority of existing courses which primarily focus on response to critical incidents rather than working proactively to avoid them entirely.
Course topics include myths on mental health and active shooters, the psychology of maladaptive behavior, active shooter tactics, advanced interviewing techniques, and community education initiatives. PTA’s curriculum is based in part on evidence-based research and reports from the Federal Bureau of Investigations, the U.S. Secret Service, and the Department of Homeland Security Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. The program also incorporates investigative strategies from the Kansas Bureau of Investigations, and U.S. military installation force collaboration protection policies. Another aspect of Prevent the Aftermath’s charter is to provide grants for mental health organizations and police departments, with a focus on small, mid-sized and rural communities.
As a nonprofit, Prevent the Aftermath is in crucial need of startup donations to cover operational and training program costs, and microgrants. Our goal is at least $250,000. PTA has started a GoFundMe campaign, and also accepts donations (tax deductible) on our website at preventtheaftermath.org where people can also learn more about our cause. PTA is also looking for partnerships and sponsorships with businesses, organizations, philanthropist and celebrities who can help advocate for national standardized processes requiring police to collaborate with stakeholders to proactively address potential active shooter violence and other types of planned violence. Contact us at pta@preventtheaftermath.org.
PTA would like to take this opportunity to thank Kyocera, Sony Music, Verizon and Chicago Garda Pipes and Drums, each of whom have supported PTA’s efforts from the beginning and are dedicated community safety partners. Prevent the Aftermath is also grateful for the encouragement, guidance and alliance from the following Subject Matter Experts:
- Mark A. Anderson, Anderson Investigative Associates, Senior Special Agent DOJ OIG (ret.)
- Jeanette Borunda, LCSW, and CIT Clinical Director, Alamogordo Police Department
- Dr. Margie Crow, Assistant Professor and Leadership Consultant
- Michael J. Foote, Colonel, U.S. Army
- Dustin Johnson, Esq., Fmr McDonald County Assistant Attorney, MO
- Jason Laferriere, Retired Special Agent, HIS
- Dr. Janja Lalich, Professor Emerita of Sociology and International Authority on Cults and Coercion
- Dr. Sandra Mann, Teacher, Assistant Principal, Principal, and Administrator, Chicago Public Schools (ret.)
- Tony Mattivi, Director, Kansas Bureau of Investigations
- David Olson, Technologist
- Alex Popof, Technologist
- Dr. Thomas Powell, VT Forensic Assessments and Consulting, Fmr Director, Dept. of Corrections (VT)
- Dr. Dara Rampersad, Forensic Psychologist
- Colton Seale, FBI Special Agent (ret.)
- Katherine Schweit, FBI Special Agent (ret.)
- Tyler Siefkes, Dispatch Communications Professional Specializing in Leadership and Coaching Concepts
- Dr. Andrew Solomon, Psychologist, Writer and Lecturer
- Curt Steel, Law Enforcement Professional Specializing in Leadership and Coaching Concepts
- Kim Stewart, Sheriff, Dona Ana County, NM
- William Paskow, Chief of Police, Fort Riley Army Installation
- Barry Wilkerson, Riley County (KS) Attorney
