What really changes after active shooter response training?

In this episode, Mary Dexter, Facilities Manager at National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA), shares her “before and after” perspective following Defend Systems training.

Mary explains why she felt compelled to bring the training to her leadership team, and what shifted across her organization once employees experienced it. From facility walkthroughs to rapid response medical training, she discusses the practical value of preparation and why this training is about empowerment, not fear.

If you’re a business leader, facilities manager, or everyday civilian wondering whether this training is worth the time, this episode offers a firsthand look at what it actually feels like to go through it, and why Mary says there’s no reason not to equip people with knowledge that could save a life.

Notes:

3:20 — Why this episode exists: hearing from an everyday civilian about empowerment, not fear

4:16 — Why Mary advocated to bring active shooter response training to NASBA

7:20 — Who initiates security training and why it’s now viewed like disaster preparedness

12:50 — Mary’s view on the time commitment

15:10 — Considering the risk of employees regularly exposed to public environments

16:39 — You never know the final trigger in a person in crisis

18:00 — Three confirmed life-saves from rapid response medical training

19:15 — No one wants to face this, but it’s necessary

20:14 — Why Mary calls the training empowering, not fear-based

26:00 — Emotional investment without causing trauma

31:14 — Why laws and codes haven’t caught up

32:59 — Encouraging listeners to contact elected representatives

34:49 — No reason not to empower people with life-saving knowledge

37:19 — Perishable skills and training your primitive brain

38:38 — Addressing prior trauma and offering pre-conversations with employees

41:42 — Those who trained may have to care for those who didn’t

43:10 — A skillset that lasts a lifetime