Photo submitted by Gowanda Police Department Gowanda Police Department received training by The Training Edge, of Williamsville, on Saturday, March 24 to defend against knives and guns. The tactics were taken from Krav Maga. Gowanda Village Trustee Aaron Markham assisted the department in receiving the training.

GOWANDA — The Gowanda Police Department and emergency service members were recently trained by The Training Edge, of Williamsville, in the self-defense tactics of Krav Maga, a military self-defense training.

“It 100 percent benefited the village,” said Nick Crassi, disaster coordinator, fire chief of Gowanda Fire Department and more for Gowanda. “It gave the officers and myself the knowledge on how to properly disarm a person.”

Crassi stated that the training entailed how to handle situations involving a gun or knife. Being a fire chief, he is positioned in unique circumstances for fires, disasters and more.

“We get in all kinds of situations in people’s homes,” Crassi said.

The training was given to a majority of the police department, Gowanda Police’s Officer-in-Charge Dennis Feldmann said at a recent village board meeting, and emergency personnel. The two-hour training was the basics of Krav Maga.

“I think it just showed how much training would help any individual, whether it is emergency services or private citizens,” Crassi said. “It definitely could be elaborated on; it gave us the basics of how to defend ourselves if that situation approaches us.”

The fire chief added that knowing these tactics, whether or not they will be used in real life, gives protection and not only to him, but his family if that situation comes about.

“I am hoping we don’t have to use it,” Crassi said.

Village Board Trustee Aaron Markham was the liaison to set up the program for the village. He was greatly appreciated by Officer-in-Charge Feldmann when it was announced in February. The impact for village residents is priceless.

“It could very well mean that an officer goes home safely to his or her family and insures continued safety of our residents,” Feldmann said about the training.

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