- May 4, 2024
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Russell Dukes and Joe Dupree don't want to scare you — but they might have to in order to teach you a lesson about personal safety.
The Ormond Beach firefighters recently started D&D Defense, a self defense company that will teach the local community how to survive potential threats such as active shooters, fires and home invasions. While there are many places that offer the basics of self defense, the duo thinks their education and experience — Dukes is a former army ranger and Dupree has a master's degree in homeland security — will help give the community the knowledge they need to survive the dangers of the modern world.
"This is a part of our culture now," Dukes said. "We're not trying to make you paranoid or crazy, but we do want to heighten your sense of awareness and understand that safety is an illusion."
D&D Defense's first class, a free active shooter seminar held July 9, brought in over 40 people to learn the basics of dealing with that type of high stress situation, using the rule "Run, Hide, Fight."
The event was held East Ormond Beach Crossfit and Chef RX provided free food.
Dukes said running is the first stage, and while it may sound cold, one of the most important things to remember is that you can't stay behind and save someone who's holding you back from making it out alive.
"Take as many people as you can," he said. "But if someone is lying on the ground and saying "I'll stay here," don't try to make them move. You have family, and a lot of people relying on you to get out alive."
If you can't run, then the next step is to hide. Dukes and Dupree teach pro-active ways of hiding like building barricades and improvising weapons. More of those kinds of skills will be available in the next level class. Fighting is the final stage, and though it's one no one ever wants to get to, you have to prepare yourself for that possibility.
The most important thing you need to remember when it comes to the final stage is to not fight fair. The firefighters say the best areas to try to crush are eyeballs, groin and throat.
"Eventually we're going to be going to people's houses and offices to asses their possible threats and weaknesses," Dukes said. "We just need to change people's mindsets. Growing up, it was 'stop, drop and roll.'"
"You can't rely on the police right away," Dupree said. "Because the fact of the matter is, the police aren't there yet. You have to be your own first responder."
For information on future classes, like D&D Defense on Facebook or email [email protected].
