Absolutely. Every organization is different, and there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to safety training. We start by learning about your workplace, your team, and the situations you’re most concerned about, such as interactions with the public, internal conflicts, or emergency response. From there, we’ll recommend the training options that make the most sense for your environment, including verbal de-escalation, active shooter prevention and survival, or a combination of both. Our goal is to help you feel confident, prepared, and supported every step of the way.
Split Second Strategies offers training that addresses both everyday workplace challenges and high-risk emergencies. Our services include:
Verbal De-escalation Training – Practical skills for everyday situations, including interactions with the public, managing difficult conversations, employee discipline, and terminations.
Active Shooter Prevention Seminar (Deep Dive) – A focused, prevention-based session ideal for leadership, managers, and decision-makers, centered on recognizing warning signs, planning ahead, and reducing risk.
Active Shooter Prevention & Survival Training – Comprehensive training for all employees, covering realistic response options if violence occurs, using a clear, modern framework.
Last-Resort Assailant Disarming Training – Defensive techniques taught only as a last resort to save your life or the lives of others, when escape is not possible, emphasizing awareness, commitment, and survival.
Building Walk-Throughs & Workstation Visits – On-site evaluations to help organizations identify safety considerations and response options specific to their space.
Trainings can be taken individually or combined to create a layered, customized approach.
Yes, absolutely. Many organizations choose to begin with verbal de-escalation training because it addresses everyday situations employees encounter most often. Active shooter prevention and survival training can be added later as a next step, once teams are comfortable and ready. Trainings are designed to stand alone or build on each other, allowing you to take a gradual, thoughtful approach to preparedness.
All of our trainings can be taken as standalone classes, with a few intentional prerequisites to ensure safety and consistency. Verbal de-escalation and the active shooter prevention seminar may be taken at any time and in any order. Active Shooter Prevention & Survival training is required before participating in the Last-Resort Assailant Disarming class, as it provides the necessary foundation for decision-making and response. Building walk-throughs and workstation visits are offered in conjunction with Active Shooter Prevention & Survival training to ensure recommendations align with trained response options.
This is a common concern, and we’re very intentional about how our training is delivered. Split Second Strategies follows the No Notoriety Protocol, meaning we do not show graphic footage, replay real attack videos, or focus on the names or identities of past assailants. We also do not run full-speed drills or high-stress simulations. Instead, the training is options-based, helping participants learn how to think clearly, assess their surroundings, and make informed decisions under pressure. The focus is on preparedness and confidence, not shock value. Most participants leave feeling more capable, not overwhelmed.
Yes. Verbal de-escalation training applies not only to interactions with the public, but also to internal workplace situations. We teach practical techniques for managing emotionally charged conversations, including employee discipline, performance issues, terminations, and conflicts between coworkers. The focus is on recognizing escalation cues early, maintaining control of the interaction, and reducing the risk of a situation turning unsafe.
Split Second Strategies is built on the belief that prevention matters just as much as response. Our training emphasizes recognizing warning signs, planning ahead, and addressing risk early. At the same time, we prepare people to respond if violence occurs. We use an options based approach rather than rigid scripts, helping participants think clearly and make informed decisions in real time. We also follow the No Notoriety Protocol. We avoid graphic footage, real incident videos, and naming assailants so the focus remains on preparedness rather than fear. The result is practical, empowering training that prioritizes prevention and last resort response to save your life or the lives of others.
Yes, in most cases, refresher training is beneficial. Threats, best practices, and workplace environments change over time, and repetition helps reinforce decision-making under stress. Many participants find that taking training again increases confidence, clarifies response options, and fills in gaps from earlier courses that focused only on response. Repeat training also supports consistent messaging, preparedness planning, and shared responsibility across the organization.
All training is led by Julie Sanford, Founder and Lead Instructor of Split Second Strategies. Julie brings more than two decades of experience in law enforcement and private security management. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and is a Certified Security Assessment Specialist through the American Crime Prevention Institute.
Julie’s training style is practical, calm, and grounded in real world experience, with a strong focus on prevention, decision making, and personal responsibility.
For larger trainings, Julie may be supported by other retired law enforcement professionals to assist with facilitation, while she remains the lead instructor.
Yes. Individuals who legally carry a firearm are welcome to take our training. Many lawful carriers recognize that there are situations where they may be required to leave their firearm at home or secured in a vehicle, and may still find themselves present during an active shooter incident. This training focuses on awareness, prevention, and survival options that apply regardless of whether someone is armed at the time. It should be noted that Split Second Strategies does not provide training on how to engage an active shooter with a firearm.
There is no minimum age requirement to attend our training. However, we generally recommend that participants be at least 18 years old. Individuals under the age of 18 are welcome to attend when accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, to ensure the training is appropriate and supportive for their age and maturity level. Participation in the Last-Resort Assailant Disarming training is limited to individuals who are 19 years of age or older.
Split Second Strategies works with schools and youth focused organizations primarily through training for faculty and staff. These sessions focus on prevention, awareness, and response planning appropriate for educational and youth serving environments. We do not provide active shooter response training directly to students or youth participants within a school or youth organization setting.
Training for faculty or staff may still take place while children are present, provided the training is conducted in a separate, dedicated space and youth are not participating in the session.
Middle and high school students who wish to attend more in depth training are encouraged to participate in one of our open enrollment classes, when available. These sessions allow students to attend with a parent or legal guardian in a family or individual setting outside of the school or youth organization environment.
Training length and format vary by course, but all sessions are designed to be practical, respectful, and engaging, with a strong focus on prevention, awareness, and decision making.
Verbal De-escalation Training
This session is instructor led and discussion based, with a conversational and practical tone. Content focuses on everyday workplace situations and includes real world examples, with questions encouraged throughout. The training is approximately one and a half hours. If an organization chooses to add role playing and scenario based practice at the end of the session, the training may be extended to two hours.
Active Shooter Prevention Seminar (Deep Dive)
This one hour seminar is primarily lecture based and delivered through a structured presentation. Participants are encouraged to ask questions throughout, with time reserved for discussion at the end. The emphasis is on recognizing warning signs, planning ahead, and prevention strategies relevant to the organization.
Active Shooter Prevention and Survival Training
This two hour session is instructor led and presentation based, with a short break between the prevention and survival portions. Questions are welcome throughout, with a dedicated question and answer segment at the end. Participants may stand, move around, or adjust as needed for comfort. The tone is conversational and practical, with real world examples and experience based discussion. Participants leave with a physical copy of the Survival Steps and clear next step recommendations.
Last-Resort Assailant Disarming Training
This is a hands on class and participants should expect to be standing for most of the session. Training is taught only as a last resort to save your life or the life of someone else, when escape or avoidance is not possible. Participants learn how to disarm an assailant armed with a long gun or a handgun in several different scenarios, and are taught how to recognize appropriate opportunities to do so. This class is limited to 15 participants and lasts approximately one hour.
Building Walk-Throughs and Workstation Visits
These services are scheduled on an as needed basis and tailored to the size, layout, and function of the space. Walk throughs focus on identifying response options, safety considerations, and opportunities for improvement specific to the environment. When appropriate, recommendations may be made for aftermarket products that organizations can purchase to enhance safety within a particular workspace. Timing and pricing depend on the size and complexity of the organization and are quoted separately.
Most trainings are flexible in size and can accommodate a wide range of group numbers. In general, classes are not capped at a specific number of participants, as long as the space allows everyone to participate comfortably and safely. We work with each organization to ensure the room size, layout, and format support effective learning.
Last-Resort Assailant Disarming training is limited to 15 participants per session to maintain safety, proper instruction, and individual attention.
Building walk-throughs and workstation visits are quoted individually. These services depend on the size of the facility and the number of areas or workstations reviewed within a given timeframe.
Yes. Training is typically conducted on site at your location. Split Second Strategies is based in the Omaha metro area and serves organizations throughout the Midwest. Travel outside of the Omaha metro area may include a travel fee, which is quoted in advance based on location and logistics.
For requests outside the Midwest, travel may still be available. Additional travel time and expenses will be discussed and quoted prior to scheduling to ensure transparency and planning.
To conduct training on site, we ask that organizations provide a room large enough to comfortably accommodate all participants. Seating should be available for everyone, with chairs required and tables preferred but not necessary. An audio and visual setup is also needed for presentation-based portions of the training. We are happy to work with your team in advance to ensure the space supports a smooth and effective session.
Yes, Split Second Strategies does offer open enrollment classes for individuals and families. These sessions are offered periodically and allow participants to attend training outside of a workplace or organizational setting.
At this time, upcoming open enrollment opportunities can be requested by completing the contact form on our website.
Additional information, including dates, locations, and registration details, will be provided as classes become available.
Online scheduling and direct registration through the website will be added in the future.
Yes. Training can be tailored to reflect the specific industry, work environment, and layout of your organization. When appropriate, examples and discussion points are adjusted to align with how your team works and the spaces they occupy. For organizations that request it, customization may also include walkthroughs or workstation visits to help connect training concepts to real world conditions.
Yes. Split Second Strategies does offer building walk-throughs and site assessments. As a Certified Security Assessment Specialist, Julie Sanford can conduct a formal security assessment of a facility as a standalone service for a separate fee. This type of assessment may be completed before or after any training, and it does not require training to be scheduled in order to be performed.
Workstation visits and walkthroughs are conducted differently. These are designed to follow the Active Shooter Prevention and Survival training and are completed alongside the employees who work in those spaces. This approach ensures recommendations are practical, realistic, and aligned with how the space is actually used during daily operations.
Yes. Participants who complete the Active Shooter Prevention and Survival training receive a certificate of completion. Participants in this course also leave with a physical copy of the Survival Steps, which can be displayed in a workspace or kept at a workstation for quick reference and continued practice.
Yes, training can support insurance underwriting considerations. Some insurance carriers now require organizations to provide active shooter or workplace violence training in order to obtain coverage or renew an existing policy. Demonstrating that employees have received training may help satisfy these underwriting requirements.
At this time, there is no consistent industry standard indicating that active shooter training results in a direct reduction of insurance premiums. Requirements and considerations vary by carrier, and organizations are encouraged to consult their insurance provider for specific policy details.
Training can support an organization’s duty of care by demonstrating a proactive approach to employee safety and preparedness. Active shooter incidents are now widely considered foreseeable risks, particularly in public facing and workplace environments. Providing training shows that an employer has taken reasonable steps to address that risk through prevention, awareness, and response education.
While no training can eliminate risk or prevent every incident, documented training may help demonstrate good faith efforts to prepare employees for foreseeable threats. In the event of an incident that results in legal scrutiny or a civil claim, having provided appropriate training may support an organization’s position that reasonable measures were taken to protect employees and patrons.
Organizations should consult legal counsel to understand how training fits within their broader risk management and compliance strategy.
Split Second Strategies was founded with the goal of making high quality safety training accessible and affordable for organizations of all sizes.
Training costs are customized based on the specific needs of each organization rather than using a one size fits all pricing model.
Pricing is influenced by several factors, including the number of participants, the industry or work environment, location, and the type and number of trainings requested.
Organizations that schedule multiple trainings may qualify for bundled pricing, with discounts increasing as additional classes are added.
Package discounts are available up to a total of 20 percent, depending on the number of courses selected.
Each quote is tailored to ensure the training is relevant, effective, and appropriately scaled to the organization’s needs. We are always happy to discuss options and help identify an approach that fits both safety goals and budget considerations.
To reserve a training date, a deposit is required at the time of booking, with the remaining balance due on the date of training. To reserve a training date, a deposit is required at the time of booking, with the remaining balance due on the date of training.
For multi-day or extended trainings, payment timing for the remaining balance will be discussed and confirmed at the time of booking.
Deposits may be applied to a rescheduled date in accordance with our cancellation and rescheduling policy.
Yes. Split Second Strategies offers bundled pricing for organizations that schedule multiple trainings. Discounts increase as additional classes are added, allowing organizations to build a layered training approach while managing costs.
Package discounts are available up to a total of 20 percent, depending on the number of courses selected. All pricing is customized based on the organization’s needs, including industry, location, number of participants, and scope of training.
Please see the next question on our Affiliate and Referral program!
Yes. Split Second Strategies offers a referral program as a way to thank organizations and individuals who help connect us with new clients.
The referring party may receive 5% of the referred invoice total as a credit toward future training. Alternatively, that same amount may be donated on their behalf to a nonprofit organization of their choice.
When a nonprofit organization refers Split Second Strategies to one of its partner organizations, the nonprofit will receive 10% of the referred invoice total as a donation to support its mission.
Referral credits and donations are applied after the referred training is completed and invoiced.
We understand that schedules can change, and we aim to be as flexible as possible while also respecting the time and preparation required for training.
Cancellations or rescheduling requests made seven or more days prior to the scheduled training date may be rescheduled without penalty. Requests made three to six days prior to the scheduled date may be subject to a rescheduling fee. Cancellations or rescheduling requests made less than 72 hours before the scheduled training may be charged the full training fee.
In many cases, rescheduling is encouraged over cancellation whenever possible. Any applicable travel or nonrefundable expenses may be billed separately if incurred.
We understand that unexpected situations arise and will always do our best to work with clients when circumstances are unavoidable.
