Spokane-area law enforcement veterans Tim Walters and Gary Gasseling have formed a professional training company here called Training to Survive that will assist clients in how to prevent, respond to, and recover from workplace violence.

"There is a gap between what people need to know about preventing and reacting to violence in the workplace and what they are actually being taught," asserts Walters. "It's our desire to educate people on simple things they can do to minimize the impact of a violent occurrence. We've had years of experience in the field seeing these things firsthand. It is our responsibility to share that knowledge with everyone we can."

Sarah Hart, marketing director for Training to Survive, says the company is Web based, rather than having offices here, and will contract with veteran law-enforcement specialists to provide training at clients' locations.

A company brochure says Training to Survive's services will include the development and review of clients' policies related to workplace violence, and single-day and multiday training courses involving potential "active shooter" incidents. The company also will offer onsite analysis of clients' facilities and provide feedback to help them identify and reduce safety concerns and points of vulnerability, the brochure says.

Walters has more than 33 years of law enforcement experience, including 26 years with the Washington State Patrol in various assignments, and currently serves as police chief and public safety director for Eastern Washington University, in Cheney.

Gasseling is a 34-year law enforcement veteran who began his career as a police officer at Washington State University, spent 27 years with the WSP in various roles, and currently is EWU's deputy police chief. He has been involved in the development of training programs for the state patrol and military.

Hart says she, Walters, Gasseling, and business director Stephanie Shaw are partners in the venture, which has no full-time employees. The company's website address is www.t2survive.com.