Help Protect Wisconsin from Active Threats

A group of current and retired law enforcement officers, who have a similar passion for first responder training, have recently formed the Wisconsin Active Threat Training Association (WATTA), which is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization (NPO). Our mission statement is “To provide high-quality, accessible active threat prevention and response training to Wisconsin first responders and civilians. This training will focus on programs and policies to deter, detect, and prevent attacks from ever occurring and those tactics, techniques, procedures, and general best practices for both individual and agency active threat response.”

Active threat (aka, active shooter, active attack) incidents continue to increase in the United States. According to data provided by the FBI, from 2000-2019, the United States averaged approximately 17 active attacks per year. In the most recent 4-year period (2020-2023), that average has jumped to approximately 50 per year. During the entire period of 2000-2023, Wisconsin has had 14 active threat incidents that met the definition utilized by the FBI report. Our state experienced its most recent tragedy on December 16th when three people lost their lives during an active shooter incident at the Abundant Life Christian School in Madison. Unfortunately, it is only a matter of when and where another attack occurs in Wisconsin.

Our group’s mission began back in 2016 when we founded the Wisconsin Active Threat Integrated Response Conference (ATIRC). Through the hard work, passion, and dedication of our conference committee members, we have grown the ATIRC from just an idea on a piece of paper into the largest first responder conference in the state. In 2025, the ATIRC drew approximately 700 attendees: law enforcement, FIRE/EMS, dispatch, emergency management, school/campus safety and security, and hospital personnel. We will continue to run the ATIRC under the WATTA umbrella, but we are now looking to take the next step.

Your financial support will allow us to do more than just sustain the ATIRC; it will help us expand our offerings to include year-round education and training efforts across Wisconsin: affordable or even free programs to both first responders and civilians throughout the year. It will also ensure that the ATIRC continues to serve as the premier active threat training event in Wisconsin, covering costs for the venue and speakers, while keeping registration fees affordable for attendees and their agencies.

With your support, we can continue to grow WATTA into a driving force for both active threat prevention and response education and training statewide. We are seeking contributions which will directly fund our ability to deliver life-saving training directly to those who need it most.

Thank you for the opportunity and for considering our request.