SAN MARCOS, Texas — For the past fifteen years, the Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training Center at Texas State University has provided force-on-force scenario-based active shooter training to police across the country. ALERRT has the territory and tools necessary at their San Marcos facility, where they keep simulated weapons and have training classrooms and buildings.

"It's not you know a toy or anything like that, it looks and sounds and replicates a real life situation and real material that is used," said Randall Martinez, the logistics range specialist at ALERRT.

ALERRT aggregates official information to evaluate trends and tactics used. The combination of circumstances surrounding the deadly mass shooting in Las Vegas , such as the concert venue and elevated shooting, creates new challenges for law enforcement.

"There's always this, call it an arms race. The attacker is starting to do this and us responding to counter that and then them changing their techniques. There's always that interplay going on where people are looking to be able to hurt more people and we're trying to stay ahead of that," said Pete Blair, ALERRT's executive director.

Regardless of evolving techniques, Blair encourages anyone to aware of their surroundings and situations. Know the primary entrances and exits and act fast.

"This is going to be an ugly situation and it's not going to look perfect and it's not going to look pretty. But what's important is that you start doing something that you don't just freeze in place and make yourself an easy target," Blair said.

While mass shootings are relatively rare, the ALERRT Center has steps for people to follow in the event. First, avoid the attacker. Second, deny access to location. Third and last resort, defend.

For more information visit, alerrt.org.