Violent Incident Response Training (VIRT)

Violent incidents in society, while rare, can seem like they are becoming more mainstream around the nation and the world. It is unfortunate we have to discuss a subject of this nature, however, Iowa State University and the Iowa State University Police Department believes your safety is the most important responsibility with which we are charged.

Realizing that someone can’t be with you around the clock for protection, we offer training and education on various topics to help ensure your safety. Violent Incident Response Training (VIRT) is one of the classes currently being offered.

In promoting an options-based response, we empower our community to use a flexible set of principles that may be adapted to any violent encounter: Avoid, Deny, Defend. Preparation is key for any situation we face in life; the more prepared we are, the better we perform.

Purpose of Training

The goal of this training is to begin your mental preparation of recognizing, assessing, and responding to threats against you. Avoid, Deny, Defend is being taught around the country to law enforcement, college campuses, K-12 schools, private businesses, and other social organizations who realize they need education on this topic.

Society has trained us to react to fires, earthquakes, tornadoes, floods and other types of disasters. This program is no different. By studying what has worked in past violent incidents around the world, it has been found that certain techniques work and others don’t.

This training is not designed to scare you into thinking there is a violent situation lurking around every corner; it is designed to provide you with options should you be in a violent situation.

Scheduling

VIRT is offered for free at the request of a department or group on campus. For scheduling and additional information, please contact 515-294-4428 or email isupdoutreach@iastate.edu.