TBI and Defend Systems Host Active Shooter Training in Knoxville

Community event focuses on awareness and response to active shooter threats

Apr. 15, 2026 at 2:21am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a single bullet casing against a pitch-black background, dramatically lit by a harsh camera flash to create a stark, gritty visual representation of the serious topic of active shooter preparedness.As active shooter events continue to rise, community-based training aims to equip the public with essential survival skills.Knoxville Today

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, in partnership with Defend Systems, hosted a community event in Knoxville focused on awareness of and response to active shooter threats. Hundreds of people attended the training, which provided insight on how to make facilities safer, increase preparedness, identify pre-shooting indicators, and more.

Why it matters

Active shooter events have been on the rise nationwide, and the training aimed to empower the public with knowledge and strategies to increase survivability in these high-pressure situations. The event highlighted the importance of community preparedness, as law enforcement may not always be able to respond quickly enough.

The details

The training session was led by Brink Fidler, president of Defend Systems, a Nashville-based consulting firm that specializes in active shooter preparedness. Fidler emphasized the need for a proactive approach, teaching attendees about 'evading' (running with purpose) and 'fortifying' (hiding effectively) in the event of an active shooter. The event also featured insights from Jason Wilkerson of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, who discussed how the dynamics of active shooter situations have evolved and the need for continuous training and awareness.

  • The training event took place on Tuesday, April 15, 2026 in Knoxville, Tennessee.

The players

Brink Fidler

President of Defend Systems, the Nashville-based consulting firm that co-hosted the active shooter training event.

Jason Wilkerson

Law enforcement officer with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation who assisted with the training division and has decades of experience in law enforcement.

Tennessee Bureau of Investigation

The state law enforcement agency that partnered with Defend Systems to host the community event focused on active shooter awareness and response.

Defend Systems

A Nashville-based consulting firm that specializes in active shooter preparedness and training, and co-hosted the event with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.

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What they’re saying

“These events are on the rise. The more knowledge the general public has about how to respond during these events, the better off we're all gonna be.”

— Brink Fidler, President, Defend Systems

“People have to take some responsibility for their own safety until we can get there, until law enforcement response can be mounted. Everybody understands that they have to take their own security into their own hands.”

— Jason Wilkerson, Law Enforcement Officer, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation

What’s next

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and Defend Systems plan to continue hosting active shooter preparedness training events in communities across the state to further educate the public on response strategies.

The takeaway

This training highlights the growing need for comprehensive active shooter preparedness in communities, as these events become more frequent nationwide. By empowering the public with knowledge and practical skills, the organizers aim to increase survivability and community resilience in the face of these high-stakes, high-pressure situations.