Host Jeremy C. Park interviews Brink Fidler, Founder and President of Defend Systems, who discusses his background in law enforcement and highlights his company’s work in active violence mitigation training and security consulting. Based in Middle Tennessee, Defend Systems is a life safety and security consulting firm specializing in active shooter response training and physical security consulting. During the interview, Brink shares insights from his two decades in narcotics work and explains how his experience informs Defend Systems’ approach to enhancing security and safety in schools, corporations, churches, and other organizations. He outlines the company’s services, including training based on the DEFEND acronym (Deter, Evade, Fortify, Evaluate, Notify, Defend), and emphasized the importance of educating people on safety measures. Brink also highlights his work with the Tennessee General Assembly to pass school safety legislation and shares practical tips for individuals to enhance their safety, such as identifying multiple exit routes. The conversation concludes with information on how to learn more about Defend Systems’ services and connect with Brink through various platforms, including their website, https://www.defendsystems.com.
Summary
Security Expert’s Law Enforcement Background – Brink Fidler, Founder and President of Defend Systems, discusses his background in law enforcement, particularly in narcotics work, and how it led him to transition into a security consultant role. He emphasizes the importance of understanding how to defeat security systems, drawing parallels between the goals of law enforcement during raids and those of active shooters. Brink also mentions how his experience in electronic surveillance and his desire to protect his child’s preschool after the Sandy Hook shooting motivated him to delve into active violence prevention strategies.
Defense Systems Safety Services Overview – Brink discusses the various services provided by Defend Systems, focusing on active violence mitigation training for schools, corporations, and other organizations. Brink explains that they also offer security consulting, independent product testing, security vulnerability assessments, and assistance with emergency operations plans. Additionally, Defend Systems provides law enforcement and armed response training to enhance safety and response effectiveness in different settings.
Tennessee School Safety Initiatives – Brink discusses his work with the Tennessee General Assembly, highlighting past legislative achievements in school safety, including lockable classroom doors, a fire alarm bill, and an enhanced armed guard bill. He expresses a desire for Tennessee to lead in school safety initiatives and emphasizes the importance of careful regulation to prevent misuse of firearms. Brink also describes his training program, which provides a detailed analysis of school and event safety incidents, making complex topics educational.
Security Education and DEFEND Framework – Brink discusses the importance of learning from historical data to improve security measures and emphasizes the need to engage and educate people effectively without overwhelming them. He introduces the DEFEND acronym, which stands for Deter, Evade, Fortify, Evaluate, Notify, and Defend, explaining each component in detail. Brink highlights the importance of emotional investment in training and the need for a clear, evidence-based approach to security, advocating for options-based training to empower individuals to make informed decisions during emergencies.
Emergency Exit Strategy Planning – Brink discusses safety strategies, emphasizing the importance of identifying multiple exit routes to enhance survival instincts during emergencies. He shares insights from real-life scenarios to illustrate how people naturally gravitate towards familiar exits and the benefits of having alternative routes planned. Brink also highlights the significance of pre-planning by reviewing maps and locating exits beforehand, which can prevent panic and facilitate quicker decision-making in high-stress situations. He encourages listeners to visit the website, social media platforms, and the podcast “Tips, Tactics, and Tools for a Safer Tomorrow” to learn more about Defend Systems and workshops, and to connect with him for speaking engagements and training opportunities.
Visit https://www.defendsystems.com to learn more about Defend Systems and to connect with Brink Fidler.
