how we started

 “Society has changed and as a result, there has been a dramatic increase in violent crimes and assaults on First Responders in our communities. There is a gap in survival tactics training and a missing survival gear element in the First Responder Community and we are going to fill it.”  

The Heroes Self Defense Foundation is a nonprofit organization voluntarily staffed with First Responders, Military Veterans, and Business Professionals with a passion of supporting our front line Heroes to keep our Communities safe through the introduction of Jiu Jitsu, K-9 ballistics vests, and care package support!

Survival Tactics

Police Officers generally learn the basic fundamentals of Defensive Tactics/Ground fighting in the police academy. While most fights will go to the ground, we think this is great. The problem is that after the academy, most agencies only require four hours of update training every 2 years. It's a good start, however like most things, training is perishable and needs to be continually built upon.  In a world that is more and more confrontational with law enforcement and nearly every encounter brining a risk of assault, Officers need more and better training. 

After graduating from the police academy, Officers can either 1) Attend Ground Fighting Elective training at their academy or 2), Join a local martial arts training center. Not all police academies offer elective training but if they do, we recommend Officers take advantage of the free training. We also recommend Officers seek out local jiu jitsu training centers to build muscle memory and confidence. 

Military Police Officers receive the same combatives training as all other soldiers. That’s like playing checkers with someone that knows all your moves.  We offer actively serving Military Police Officers (from any branch) the same opportunity to attend our workshops to compliment their training as well. 

EMS Professionals receive an abundance of life saving medical training but they rarely receive training to save their own life in Self Defense.  With drug overdoses and patients suffering from extreme mental disorders, assaults on EMS Professionals are on the rise. From the scene of a motor vehicle crash, to medical call at a residence, the back of an ambulance or at the hospital, EMS Professionals are right in the mix and left defenseless. 

Law Enforcement Canines

Unfortunately, a lot of police canines units are considered non-essential by their agency and approximately 90% off all LEO K-9 units rely on donations to function. Canines are called upon to apprehend the most violent criminals in the most dangerous situations, but they are not always afforded the same protection as human Officers. If an agency does not purchase a ballistic vest for the canine, it will go without protection until the handler purchases one or funds can be donated. We recognize this deficiency and work with Law Enforcement agencies to determine the need for canine ballistic/knife protection vests. 

Much like human Police Officers, Canines are also sometimes injured in the line of duty while apprehending suspects and in vehicle crashes. In January 2019, an HSDF team member's patrol vehicle was struck by a drunk driver causing traumatic injuries to the K-9. The outpour of support and care packages received from all over the country provided an amazing mental and physical calm not only to the canine but the handler as well. Since then, we have made the decision pay that forward and  and partner with Tanners Endless Love and Concord Pet to send care packages to injured police canines throughout the country. How cool is that! Check out our Furry Heroes page for canines we’ve helped with your support.  

Stay up to date via our website and our Facebook page @HeroesSelfDefenseFoundation

From all of us here at the Heroes Self Defense Foundation,  

Thank you for listening to our story and we appreciate your support!

Sincerely,

The Heroes Self Defense Foundation Team