Some conversations stick with you.
This one did.
When I sat down with Brink Fidler and Tracey Mendenhall from Defend Systems, I didn’t walk away fearful—I walked away more aware, more grounded, and more hopeful.
Their work is heavy. They train teachers, churches, and communities to respond to active shooter situations. It’s the kind of training no one wants to need. But after hearing them talk, I understood why they do it—and why it matters so much.
“We Don’t Teach Fear. We Teach Clarity.”
Brink founded Defend Systems after years in law enforcement, when he saw how unprepared most people were in crisis. He started small—helping a preschool develop a plan after the Sandy Hook tragedy—and that moment shaped the rest of his career.
He told me, “I never meant to build a company. I just wanted people to know what to do.”
Today, Defend Systems trains schools, churches, and organizations across the country. But their approach is different. They don’t use shock tactics. They don’t try to scare people into paying attention.
As Tracey, a former Metro Nashville officer and SWAT medic, explained:
“Our goal is never to traumatize someone. It’s to empower them.”
Teachers often come into these sessions with fear. They leave feeling capable. Equipped. Confident that they could protect the children in their care.
The “Why” Behind the Training
One of the things that stood out to me most was how much Defend Systems focuses on why.
Teachers, Tracey said, don’t just want a checklist—they want context.
Why do certain actions matter?
Why should they move a certain way, or stay put, or take charge?
“When people understand the why, they remember it under stress,” Brink said. “We teach them what to do, but we also give them the data behind it.”
And that data tells a sobering story:
- Most active shooter events last less than 10 minutes.
- Law enforcement may not arrive in time to stop the first wave of harm.
- The people already inside—teachers, staff, or church members—are the true first responders.
But here’s the hope: with the right training, lives can be saved.
What Empowerment Looks Like
Defend Systems teaches practical, simple skills anyone can learn:
- How to find multiple exits in every space you enter.
- How to make quick, calm decisions under pressure.
- How to use a tourniquet to stop bleeding and save a life.
And yes, they teach teachers how to apply those skills in classrooms—with kids as young as preschoolers.
As a mom, I can’t tell you how much I appreciate that balance of realism and compassion. They don’t minimize the fear. They transform it into purpose.
Tracey said it best:
“Our teachers don’t have to feel helpless. They love those kids—and they deserve the tools to keep them safe.”
Changing the Conversation
When tragedy strikes, the news focuses on the “why” behind the attacker. But Brink and Tracey want to change the conversation.
“What if,” Brink asked, “instead of debating, we started preparing?”
They compare it to fire drills—something we all grew up with. We haven’t lost a child to a school fire in over 70 years because we trained for it. We practiced. We planned.
It’s time to do the same for safety training. Not from fear—but from care.
Ask the Hard Questions
Tracey left us with a powerful reminder:
“As parents, we have to ask hard questions. If something feels off, say something. If your child’s school isn’t offering this kind of training, ask why not. And if funding is the issue, start the fundraiser yourself.”
Preparedness doesn’t have to be complicated. It just has to start with awareness—and a willingness to act.
Doing Good Work
I left this conversation both heavy-hearted and hopeful. Heavy because the need is real. Hopeful because there are people like Brink and Tracey doing something about it—leading with compassion, truth, and courage.
They said it simply:
“We hate that our work is needed. But we love that it’s helping.”
That’s what good work looks like.
To learn more about Defend Systems and the training they provide, visit defendsystems.com.