FAQ — straight answers Which license do I need? Student portal ↗ Call or text (817) 841-9042
Go Strapped Firearms Training

Courses · In person

Armed First Responder Certification

An intermediate-to-advanced armed response program built for the people who already run toward emergencies — firefighters, EMS, and first responders adding armed capability with real proficiency standards.

Price
$600
Length
See details
Format
In person
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See upcoming dates Questions? Straight answers below ↓

Firefighters and medics already know what most people never learn: when something terrible happens, somebody has to move toward it. The Armed First Responder program exists for exactly those people — responders who want armed capability held to the same professional standard as the rest of their skill set.

This is not a beginner course, and it doesn’t pretend to be. The curriculum runs intermediate to advanced, with physical, demonstrated proficiency requirements — you earn the certificate by performing, in person, under instruction from career law-enforcement and military professionals. Seats are limited so the ratios stay honest, which is also why the program keeps a waitlist most of the year.

Because AFR is a full program rather than a single class, it has its own home: armedfirstresponder.com carries the complete curriculum, current cohorts, and program rates. Start there, or start with a phone call — either way, if you’re the person your crew looks to when things go sideways, this training was built with you in mind.

What's included — and what isn't

Included in this course

  • The full Armed First Responder curriculum — classroom and live proficiency work, in person
  • Instruction from career law-enforcement and military professionals
  • Physical, demonstrated proficiency standards — this is a course you pass, not a video you watch
  • Your course completion certificate

Not part of this purchase

  • Beginner fundamentals — this is an intermediate-to-advanced program; if you're new to handguns, start with our intro courses and grow into this one
  • Any state license — certifications and licenses are separate things everywhere on this site, and this page is no exception

What happens after you finish

You leave with your certificate and a skill set your department and your community quietly count on. Many AFR students continue into our security licensing pathway or LTC coursework; if you tell us where you want to end up, we'll map the courses that get you there. Full program details, current cohorts, and the complete curriculum live on the dedicated program site at armedfirstresponder.com.

Requirements & what you need

  • First responder background (fire, EMS, or related service) — call us to confirm your eligibility before registering
  • Solid handgun fundamentals — this program assumes competence and builds on it
  • A valid government-issued photo ID
  • Your full gear list arrives with registration confirmation — the program site carries the specifics

Who's teaching you

Bryan Proctor

Founder & Lead Instructor

  • Retired Texas peace officer — 20+ years combined military & law enforcement
  • U.S. Air Force Security Forces combat veteran
  • Texas DPS Level 3 instructor
  • Texas DPS Level 4 (Personal Protection Officer) instructor
  • DPS-qualified LTC instructor
  • TCOLE-certified instructor
  • CRASE instructor

What students say

4.9★ · 663 Google reviews

Read them on Google, Facebook (497+ · 98% recommend) and Yelp (4.8★) — we don't filter who gets asked.

Straight answers

Who is this program for?

First responders — firefighters, EMS, and the people already trusted to run toward the worst moments — who want armed-response capability trained to a demonstrable standard. It's intermediate-to-advanced by design.

Is this the same as a security license course?

No. AFR is its own certification program, separate from the Texas security licensing sequence (Level 2/3/4) and from the LTC. It certifies capability; it doesn't issue a state license — nothing does except the state.

I'm a solid shooter but not a first responder. Can I attend?

Call us. The program is built around first-responder roles, and eligibility questions get straight answers on the phone — (817) 841-9042.

Why does the course have a waitlist?

Seats are limited on purpose — the proficiency work runs at low student-to-instructor ratios. If a cohort is full, the waitlist is first-come, first-served, and we'll tell you honestly how it looks.

Where do I find dates and the full curriculum?

On the dedicated program site, armedfirstresponder.com — that's where cohorts, curriculum detail, and program-specific rates live. Or skip the browsing and call us; we'll match you to the next available seat.

Ready to book your session?

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Our registration provider adds a booking fee at checkout — you'll see the full amount before you pay.

Questions first?

Read the FAQ — straight answers

Most questions are answered in the course FAQ above or the general FAQ. Still stuck? Call or text (817) 841-9042 — instructors answer between classes — or email info@gostrapped.com.

Policies, briefly

Program logistics run through our team directly — call (817) 841-9042 or email info@gostrapped.com with anything scheduling-related. Cancellation and refund terms are listed at registration, and our registration provider adds a booking fee at checkout — you see all of it before you pay.

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