WHY TRAIN FOR ACTIVE THREAT SURVIVAL?
At Active Threat Solutions by Defense in Depth (ATS), we are firm believers that companies and organizations have an obligation to prepare for a threat before it happens. Most likely, you and your employees don’t think that this type of thing could happen at your workplace or within your community.
Preparing for an active threat can:
- Educate and empower your employees
- Educate you on best practice post-incident communication with police, medics and the media
- Protect you, legally, in the event that there is an active threat event
WHY TRAIN WITH ACTIVE THREAT SOLUTIONS BY DEFENSE IN DEPTH?
“I have 20 years of experience in education. The team at ATS has far more than that in law enforcement and security. I could send a teacher or administrator, who is qualified to teach, for security training. But they aren't going to be as qualified to communicate it to our staff or answer the questions as well as Active Threat Solutions was able to do. Truly we are dealing with experts in the field of security and safety,"
- Arthur Moore, Principal at Saint Francis Central Catholic School
Some organizations settle on sending a few employees to a weekend seminar in the hopes of having a designated “security trainer” on staff. Should the well-being of your organization be placed in the hands of a weekend seminar or a team of highly-credentialed security experts with years of real-world experience?
Nick DeMedici speaking during ATS training.
If your company or organization doesn’t have an effective plan in place, our expert team, comprised of former law enforcement members, federal agents, military and Department of Defense instructors, can help. We specialize in:
- Risk Management
- Threat Analysis
- Emergency Response
- Active Threat Survival Training
Nick DeMedici speaking to a congregation at a house of worship.
Our team of instructors comes from a variety of professional and military backgrounds. They can offer several perspectives relevant to the security of your organization’s environment.
Nick DeMedici
Executive Director, former active shooter instructor, West Virginia State Police
Nick DeMedici
Executive Director, former active shooter instructor, West Virginia State Police
Nick DeMedici is a native of Morgantown, West Virginia. He began his law enforcement career in 2004 with the Monongalia County Sheriff’s Office. As a Deputy Sheriff, DeMedici worked in the patrol division before being assigned to the Detective’s Division in 2008. While with the Detective’s Division, DeMedici was involved in working violent crime and serious felony cases, including homicides. In addition to serving in the Detective’s Division, he was a member of the Sheriff’s Office Special Response Team where he received additional training on tactics utilized in high risk law enforcement situations. DeMedici left the Monongalia County Sheriff’s Office in 2013 for employment with the State Police as a State Trooper. With the State Police, DeMedici was one of ten State Troopers trained and designated to present active shooter training across the state. He was initially assigned to the Kingwood Detachment in Preston County. After serving in Preston County he was transferred to the Morgantown Detachment, which is where he finished out his last year as a law enforcement officer. DeMedici is the 2006 recipient of the West Virginia Chief of Police Association Carl E. Kocher Most Outstanding Officer Award as well as the 2014 West Virginia State Police Retired Members Association Outstanding Cadet Award. He is currently the General Manager and Director of Training for Defense In Depth.
DeMedici has trained approximately 4,000 individuals on the best practices to respond to and survive an active threat. His training has taken place throughout the country in environments ranging from churches, banks and manufacturing industries, including facilities in San Antonio, Texas and New York City, New York
Kimberly Ridenour, MBA, CPSM
Business Development Executive
Kimberly Ridenour, MBA, CPSM
Business Development Executive
Kimberly Ridenour is a savvy marketing, business development, and communications professional, with over 20 years of in-depth experience focusing on professional services for small local firms to international firms. She has functioned at all levels of a company’s marketing and business development efforts.
Kimberly is a Bruceton Mills, West Virginia native. She graduated from West Virginia University (WVU) with an undergraduate degree in Journalism. Kimberly later graduated from the University of Phoenix, Orlando campus, with a Master’s in Business Administration.
Kimberly is very active in the Society of Marketing Professional Services (SMPS) and currently sits on the Pittsburgh chapter’s board of directors. She has been chapter president of the Pittsburgh and Central Florida chapters.
At Active Threat Solutions, Kimberly will be directing its business development efforts, as well as implementing marketing strategies to help the company to continue its growth.
For fun, Kimberly likes to workout, to bake and loves of all things fashion. She is also an avid college football and basketball enthusiast.
Jared Edgreen
Former Trainer, United States Secret Service
Jared Edgreen
Former Trainer, United States Secret Service
Jared Edgreen is a Waynesburg, Pennsylvania, native who studied criminal justice at Waynesburg University. Upon graduating, he worked in federal law enforcement with the United States Secret Service.
Throughout his nine years with the Secret Service, he was promoted to Law Enforcement Instructor. Edgreen received training from the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) as well as the US Secret Service Training Center.
He furthered his instructor training by attending the Institute of Police Training and Management in Florida where he studied progressive instruction for adult learners regarding law enforcement. His instruction experience includes active shooter situations, tactics, defense tactics, covered/concealment, motorcade operations and advanced police motorcycle training courses.
Ben Roberts
United States Army Bronze Star recipient and Audie Murphy Award Winner
Ben Roberts
United States Army Bronze Star recipient and Audie Murphy Award Winner
Ben Roberts has been involved in the executive protection industry for more than 20 years. Starting at the age of 17, he began supporting an Army Colonel, and by the end of his active duty military career, he supported four star generals, the Secretary of the Army and the Secretary of defense. While serving in the Army, Ben also served with the 82nd Airborne as a paratrooper and in the 101st Air Assault rappelling out of helicopters. He conducted high risk/high threat Personal Security Detail (PSD) work overseas where he led a 25 Soldier PSD team, earning a Bronze Star and receiving the prestigious Sergeant Audie Murphy Award.
Upon departing from active duty service, Ben supported the President of Novartis Pharmaceuticals and his family as a solo-practitioner executive protection agent. He was also in charge of creating and implementing a mailroom safety and security protocol and training program that was so successful that Novartis leadership issued him an award for excellence.
Ben’s most recent role was as the executive protection lead for an ultra high net worth family in the United States. He was charged with leading an executive protection team overseeing the cyber and physical security of multiple properties, ground transportation, as well as multiple air, and watercrafts. Ben successfully supported the family for several years before they left the area.
Other trainings and certifications include: Master pistol instructor, antiterrorism driving and surveillance, national rifle association (NRA) instructor, counter ambush tactics for law enforcement, trigger instruction, breaching training, combat medical training, CPR, first aid and AED.
Nathan Emeigh
Former security specialist for the Department of Defense
Nathan Emeigh
Former security specialist for the Department of Defense
Nathan Emeigh has trained more than 300 individuals directly and many more through various group presentations and trainings. He earned his master’s degree in law, is a private pilot and has federal level executive protection experience.
Nathan has also worked as a security specialist for the Department of Defense. His other specialties include: Counterterrorism, surveillance, community outreach, program development, hazardous material/chem bio, instructor-led training, emergency response and case management.
Kelly Rigsby
Former Special Agent, Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS)
Kelly Rigsby
Former Special Agent, Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS)
Kelly Rigsby is a former Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) investigator and accomplished law enforcement and national security professional with extensive training in the United States and overseas.
His expertise includes program management, emergency operations, workplace safety and physical security. He has both operational and program experience in criminal and national investigations, maritime crime and security as well as international organized crime.
Kelly has comprehensive international active threat experience. He was a Middle East and Africa specialist with ten years of postings and deployments in the Middle East, Africa and South Africa. He has proven results in building domestic and international partnerships. Kelly is a certified crisis negotiator and squad leader with top secret security clearance.
More of his specialties include: Homeland security, All Source Intelligence Analysis, threat assessment, counterterrorism, emergency management, Title IX investigations, public safety, proprietary information protection and workplace violence prevention.
Frederick Tessari
Former Supervisory Deputy United States Marshal
Frederick Tessari
Former Supervisory Deputy United States Marshal
Frederick Tessari has an exceptional law enforcement background having served as a U.S. Marshal in Brooklyn, New York. Frederick has also trained federal officers at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, Georgia.
He has provided safety to top leaders, U.S. Supreme Court Justices, judges and civilians and has experience ensuring the security of equipment, information and personnel from fraud, physical assault, government espionage, terrorism, robbery and active threats.
Other specialties include: Crisis management, investigative research, security management, emergency management, surveillance, active shooter response, corporate security, community outreach, military operations, physical security, force protection, executive protection, security operations and policy analysis.
- Point number one should be the most important takeaway from your offer
- The second point should not be as strong as the first
- With point three, we want to highlight an action users will be able to do after they download
- Point four is the last place to drive home your efforts... make it good!
Dennis Dougherty
Former Tac Team leader and police trainer, Upper Darby Police Department
Dennis Dougherty
Former Tac Team leader and police trainer, Upper Darby Police Department
Dennis Dougherty served as a safety consulting trainer for Med-Tex Services and also has notable active shooter experience. He is specially trained in workplace violence and de-escalation. Dennis also acted as a Tac Team leader. TAC teams fulfill a SWAT-type role and provide backup for Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU) field agents. As a former SWAT officer, he has invaluable law enforcement expertise. He is also ALICE certified.
ALICE is the leading training solution that increases an organization’s and individual’s odds of survival during a violent intruder event.
Other specialties of his include: Homeland security, EMS, crisis management, video surveillance, investigation, security management, field training, interrogation, hazardous materials, emergency management, life and public safety, firearms, corporate security, NIMS, first responder, physical security, fire safety, executive protection, disaster response, weapons of mass destruction, industrial safety and risk assessment.
Robert Marsili
Special Agent, Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General
Robert Marsili
Special Agent, Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General
Robert has an extensive law enforcement background with expertise in active shooter response and physical security. He is passionate about teaching individuals how to protect themselves and the people they care about in the event of an active threat.
Robert graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a master’s degree in public policy and management. He was a special agent for the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General and served as special agent for the Greater Pittsburgh Area for 30 years. He also was an adjunct professor at the University of Phoenix and the Community College of Beaver County.
His specialties include: Homeland security, crime prevention, investigation, counterterrorism, interrogation, emergency management, surveillance, public safety and firearms handling.
Mike Sedam
Law Enforcement Commander
Mike Sedam
Commander – California Highway Patrol
Mike Sedam is a dynamic speaker and consultant that brings a fresh perspective to leadership, communication, safety, and risk management. He has presented to government agencies, militaries from multiple countries, and complex industries including aviation, gas and petroleum, and power generation.
Mike is the commander of a large state public safety aviation program. In addition, Mike is also a Senior Advisor for Government Integration for a drone-focused technology company, serves as an Accreditation Commissioner, leads a multi-agency coordination group, and co-chaired a Federal Aviation Administration rule-making committee. Mike’s weekly podcast, The Crucial Talks Podcast, provides valuable information on human behavior and has been downloaded thousands of times by people across the world including the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and China.
Mike’s broad education provides one of the greatest benefits to his clients. Mike has earned two master’s degrees, one in Security Studies from the Naval Postgraduate School and the other in Public Administration from California State University. This has allowed Mike to develop a high level of expertise in human behavior and organizational behavior. Mike looks through the lens of Appreciative Inquiry and the Social Identity Approach at sociology, psychology, biology, and organizational behavior to provide value to individuals and organizations.
Gary W. Smith
Former Sergeant Miramar Police (Fla), Lieutenant Florida Attorney General’s Office
Gary W. Smith
Former Sergeant Miramar Police (Fla), Lieutenant Florida Attorney General’s Office
Gary has been an Active Shooter Instructor for over 15 years he has presented hundreds of hours and practical and tactical training to first responders and for the past 10 years has been
presenting to the public and business communities.
Gary’s career spanned 25 years with the Miramar Police Department, Gary served in the patrol division, Youth Division Detective and Special Weapons & Tactical Team Sergeant.(Team Leader) Smith’s specialization was with SWAT, he has received hundreds of hours in specialized training in SWAT related courses.
After retiring from the Miramar Police Department, Smith supervised the Southwest Florida Investigations office as a Lieutenant for the Florida Attorney General’s office, He then went on to work as the High Liability Coordinator at the Palm Beach State College Law Enforcement Academy where he instructed and supervised the High Liability courses to police and Correction recruits and to seasoned officers.
Gary earned a B.S. Degree in Criminal justice from St John’s University and is a certified Anti-Terrorism Specialist
Other specialties include, certified instructor in, SWAT & Advanced SWAT, Active Shooter, Weapons of Mass Destruction, Firearms, Defensive Tactics, Pursuit Driving, Executive Protection, Simmunitions, Pepperball, Taser, Less Lethal Munitions, Explosives Handler, NIM’s
and certified Anti-Terrorism Specialist.
Gary is currently employed as a Physical Security Consultant with PNC Bank.
Having a professional consultant provide an outside opinion regarding your facility’s internal and external security (risk management), as well as the identification process (threat analysis) your security personnel and staff utilize, can benefit you in the long-term.
For example, your security professionals and staff walk the building thousands of times a day; they’re used to the building they see. It’s only natural to overlook areas. Doing a walkthrough with a third-party point of view will give you a bird’s eye view of your security features and their effectiveness. Not only will our team offer verbal recommendations, but we can also provide a written report documenting your building’s weak spots and possible options for improvement.
Talking through your physical security and can also provide you with great insight, such as:
- Can a stranger access the building from the street?
- How far could this stranger get into the building before being noticed?
- What does your physical security look like such as door locks, keywords, guards, etc?
Not only will a risk management assessment and threat analysis help you outline security updates, but it could help prepare your employees for what they should do in the event of an active threat situation.
“Due to some changes in the climate here, we knew that we needed to take some action to at least have an assessment done, and have something in place for our employees to know what to do in the case of an emergency.
I’m well aware that workplace violence has increased dramatically in the last decade. It is just a sound business practice that all of your employees be trained on what to do should a threatening situation arise. I think it boosts morale and it provides a more calm, secure and confident working environment.
I wanted to make sure that the training was provided by someone that’s credible. I would not want to do this training with somebody that was not credentialed and an expert in their field. I felt like Active Threat Solutions by Defense in Depth was just the “no brainer” when it came to whom we would choose to help us with something like this.”
- C’Anna Brown, Business Manager at West Virginia Radio Corporation
If you are ready to do more than just “check the box” for your company/organization and your people, contact us.
NickDeMedici, right, and Jared Edgreen, left, speak during ATS corporate training.
