(ROUND ROCK, TEXAS)– Today, Rep. John R. Carter (R-TX-31) hosted a tour and briefings at the Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT) facility at Texas State University in San Marcos. Invitees included City and County officials, Police and Fire Department Chiefs, and EMS representatives from Bell and Williamson Counties. During the events, leaders witnessed a number of different drills and exercises used by first responders during an active shooter incident. They also participated in a Congressional Achievement Award Ceremony, where Rep. Carter recognized ALERRT and Texas State University for their commitment to this groundbreaking, life-saving training.

“The ALERRT program at Texas State is the nation’s premiere active shooter response training program. I am proud to have been involved in assisting this elite program for the past 10 years. I look forward to many more successes from ALERRT in the coming years,” said Carter Rep Carter. “The threat of active shooters is increasingly real as we have seen in Dallas, Orlando, and San Bernardino. Sadly, many first responders believe it is not if, but when, extremists will again terrorize our nation. The POLICE Act that I authored and was signed into law this past year will help ensure our first responders are prepared for this situation through existing Department of Justice grants. I am pleased that the U.S. Congress and the President have come together to help keep our communities safe by supporting this important expansion of opportunities through the DOJ grants.”

Dr. Pete Blair, executive director of the ALERRT Center at Texas State University said, "The POLICE Act fills a critical gap in funding for active shooter response training.  It provides funding to allow local law enforcement to maximize their ability to save lives when the next attack occurs.”

Earlier this year, Rep. Carter introduced legislation to add active shooter training to the criteria used to apply for Community Oriented Policing Service (COPS) grants. His bill, the POLICE Act, was passed by Congress this summer and signed into law by the President. The POLICE Act will expand active shooter training to law enforcement departments who may otherwise would not have had the budgets to send our protectors to this important training.

Rep. Carter represents Texas District 31, which includes Fort Hood, the largest active duty armored military installation in the free world. He serves as Chairman of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Appropriations, co-chairman of the House Army Caucus, is on the Subcommittee for Commerce, Justice and Science and the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee.

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