046 - Breakdown of the Antioch High School Shooting
Tips, Tactics, and Tools Podcast
Release Date: 02/13/2025
052 - Jeff Mathes - Know Their Stories: Voices from March 27, 2023
Tips, Tactics, and Tools Podcast
In this episode, we sit down with Sergeant Jeff Mathes of the Metro Nashville Police Department—one of the first officers on the scene at The Covenant School on March 27, 2023. Jeff walks us through the sights, sounds, and split-second decisions of that day. He speaks candidly about what it means to be a leader in a crisis—and healing through accepting that there was nothing he could have changed about his actions that day to save more lives. Jeff opens up about returning home that day to his family and the moment he heard a clip of the fire alarm on the radio the next morning that...
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051 - Teacher - Know Their Stories: Voices from March 27, 2023
Tips, Tactics, and Tools Podcast
On March 27, 2023, our guest was a teacher at The Covenant School in Nashville—a place she had poured her heart into. In this episode, our guest recounts the moments before, during, and after the tragedy that unfolded. She walks us through her second-by-second decision making process as she decides the best way to help the others in the building and also get herself out safely. She fled into the woods with children, thanking God that the spring leaves had started to arrive and provided concealment as they ran from the school. She shares how prior active shooter response training...
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050 - Rachel Sanderson - Know Their Stories: Voices from March 27, 2023
Tips, Tactics, and Tools Podcast
On March 27, 2023, Rachel Sanderson walked onto The Covenant School campus for her first day as a substitute teacher there. It was a beautiful morning—calm, full of worship, and seemingly ordinary. Within hours, everything changed. In this conversation, Rachel recounts what happened that day—from the moment the fire alarm went off to the terrifying minutes spent locked inside a classroom with students. With raw honesty, she shares how training kicked in and how faith held her steady. Rachel reflects on the trauma, isolation, and the unexpected strength she found in processing it. She also...
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049 - Abby McLean - Know Their Stories: Voices from March 27, 2023
Tips, Tactics, and Tools Podcast
In this episode, we sit down with Abby McLean, a Covenant School parent on March 27, 2023, as she recounts the day of the shooting and the painful journey that followed. From the moment she received the first call to the agonizing time spent searching for her children, Abby shares the raw emotions, the uncertainty, and the overwhelming grief that forever changed her family and community. Through her story, we gain insight into the heroic actions of teachers, the life-saving decisions made under extreme stress, and the aftermath that fractured relationships and reshaped perspectives on...
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An Introduction to Know Their Stories: Voices from March 27, 2023
Tips, Tactics, and Tools Podcast
On March 27, 2023, Katherine Koonce, Mike Hill, Cynthia Peak, Hallie Scruggs, William Kinney, and Evelyn Dieckhaus lost their lives to a shooter at The Covenant School in Nashville, TN. The impact extends beyond the victims, affecting their families, staff, students, first responders, and the community. This series seeks to amplify their voices. Through conversations with people in this community, we explore lessons in crisis response and the lasting effects of tragedy. This podcast series is about honoring those affected, the importance of storytelling in healing, learning how we can be...
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048 - Michael Collazo - Know Their Stories: Voices from March 27, 2023
Tips, Tactics, and Tools Podcast
In this episode, we are honored to welcome Detective Michael Collazo as he shares his journey—from his early years and decision to join the Marine Corps to his path in law enforcement and the day that made his name known across the nation: March 27, 2023. Along the way, he and Brink, a former Nashville police officer, swap stories, share laughs, and reflect on the unique experiences that come with wearing the badge. This past January, Michael was awarded the Medal of Valor by President Biden for his heroic actions at The Covenant School, where he and four fellow officers ran toward...
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047 - Empowering Everyday Heroes: Active Violence Response Training with Defend Systems
Tips, Tactics, and Tools Podcast
In this powerful episode, Brink Fidler and Tom Herring sit down with Tracey Mendenhall, VP of Defend Systems, to discuss the critical importance of active violence response training across various sectors. Timed Highlights: - The importance of preparation and prevention in safety training - Tracey's passion for empowering civilians through training - Why teachers are the most motivated and impactful training participants - Training spans diverse sectors: from orthodontic offices to country music tours - The unwavering commitment of teachers to protect their students - Practical, simple...
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046 - Breakdown of the Antioch High School Shooting
Tips, Tactics, and Tools Podcast
In this special episode, we break down the shooting at Antioch High School in Nashville and discuss steps that must be taken to protect our schools and prevent future tragedies. We discuss the warning signs, social media threats, security measures like metal detectors and AI software, and the critical role of training and preparation. As former teachers, law enforcement, and military personnel, we use our insights to challenge you to take action before it’s too late. How can we move beyond reactive solutions and truly protect our students? Notes: 2:25 - We don’t name...
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045 - Preparing for Modern Threats: Insights from a Green Beret, Adam McIntyre
Tips, Tactics, and Tools Podcast
In this episode, Brink and Tom are joined by Adam McIntyre, a Retired U.S. Army Green Beret, for an eye-opening discussion on the critical role of mindset and preparation in today’s increasingly unpredictable world. Together, they explore essential safety and security practices to keep in mind wherever you go, while Adam shares unique insights into the mindset of volatile foreign adversaries and the threats they pose to the United States. Notes: (1:00) Guest Adam McIntyre, Defend Systems—retired U.S. Army Green Beret with 20 years of service, 15 years in special operations,...
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044 - Risky Business: Turning Chaos into Control
Tips, Tactics, and Tools Podcast
We’re back! In this episode of Tips, Tactics, and Tools, Brink and Tom sit down with a former private school risk manager, Gloria Maas, to explore the critical role of proactive strategies in mitigating risk. Learn why playing defense isn’t enough, how to make your tech work smarter, and why a risk register could be your new best friend. From avoiding costly losses to making sure everyone knows how to pull the right footage, this episode is packed with tips to turn your safety strategy from dusty to effective. Notes: (2:26) Guest Gloria Maas, Defend Systems–former...
info_outlineIn this special episode, we break down the shooting at Antioch High School in Nashville and discuss steps that must be taken to protect our schools and prevent future tragedies. We discuss the warning signs, social media threats, security measures like metal detectors and AI software, and the critical role of training and preparation. As former teachers, law enforcement, and military personnel, we use our insights to challenge you to take action before it’s too late. How can we move beyond reactive solutions and truly protect our students?
Notes:
2:25 - We don’t name shooters
3:10 - Threat assessment had been done on this particular student
4:55 - Someone made the decision to let him come back
7:00 - Intent had been shared on social media
9:20 - “It’s not missed, it’s being dismissed”
15:15 - Metal detector misconceptions
17:50 - Adam’s thoughts on metal detectors and 2000 students in one area at one time
20:35 - AI gun-detection software that Metro Nashville Public Schools uses
28:40 - How critical is perceived threat in the military? Adam responds on the importance of training.
30:00 - Technology is NOT a replacement for the human
32:00 - Some SROs become friends with students and get far from focusing on students as potential threats which is dangerous.
36:00 - People’s response was all over the place – subs without keys, etc.
42:00 - Go to your kid’s school’s board members to ask what they’re doing and how.
Tips, Tactics, and Tools for a Safer Tomorrow was born out of several conversations between Brink Fidler and Tom Herring that always revolved around how they focus on properly educating their clients in order to maximize their effectiveness and customer service.
Both companies strive to meet the same end goal and that is to increase the safety and security posture of their clients.
Brink’s company, Defend Systems, specializes in physical security consulting and active shooter mitigation training, while Tom’s company, Herring Technology, focuses on being the best security technology integrator in the industry that can provide a one stop shop for any client’s technology needs.
The focus of this podcast is to educate and empower people. We discuss everything related to safety and security be it at home, work, church, or the mall. We take an in depth look at security technology, ease of use, reliability, and DIY products for homeowners.
Follow Brink:
www.defendsystems.com
Follow Tom:
www.herringtechnology.com
Tips, Tactics and Tools is Produced and Edited by www.itsyourshow.co