A New Year
John Curnutt, Assistant Director
For decades, I’ve ended the classes I have taught with “The world is not conspiring to make our jobs or lives any easier. Thank you for what you do. Push yourself to be better. Push those around you, who will listen, to be better as well. Lift each other up and get each other through this thing called life.” (Many of you just started to cite the rest of the opening lyrics of Prince’s “Let’s Go Crazy!” didn’t you?)
Last year, a record number of officers were shot in the line of duty (346), along with a record number of line-of-duty-deaths from various causes (512). 141 firefighters died on-duty. Dozens of EMTs and Paramedics died in the line of duty. The only numbers more alarming than line of duty deaths are how many first responders took their own lives.
As we navigate through 2022, let us renew our commitment to promote mental, physical, and organizational health, to the best of our ability. Yes, this section is called “The Tactical Corner”, however if our foundation isn’t solid, it is foolish to believe anything can be built upon it that will perform as desired or withstand the cumulative effect our jobs have on us.
The ALERRT Center enters 2022 hitting on more cylinders than ever before. We have created an eLearning Division, expanded our staff, and we possess more training kits than ever before. The past two years of challenges have changed the landscape in which we conduct training. We offer smaller sized courses to accommodate training delivery due to COVID restrictions, staffing shortages, and to more rural areas around the nation. We are expanding online training and interactions we have with everyone. We are nearing completion of an online registration/reporting feature that will dramatically reduce the paperwork and increase the responsiveness upon completion of a course. We are travelling more to meet with strategic partners and engage in dialogue at various conferences and panel discussions around the country. We are working to increase our social media presence to provide better overall communication and awareness of all ALERRT has to offer. We have some of the greatest, most passionate instructors out there to facilitate information exchange and a quality training experience.
There are a great number of people in this country who appreciate and support first responders. May we remember that and continue to perform in a manner worthy of maintaining that appreciation and support. Our mission is still a righteous one. Thank you for what you do.
