When harm comes from the systems meant to protect us, communities have to learn how to protect one another.
The First Responders Training Guide, created by the Anti Police-Terror Project (APTP) in Oakland, California, is a practical manual for communities organizing against state-sanctioned violence and police terror.
This guide was developed to train “First Responders” — community members who step in immediately after incidents of police violence to support families, gather facts, and challenge false narratives. It’s a blueprint for rapid response that prioritizes safety, dignity, and truth.
Inside the Guide
- A clear explanation of what APTP calls “police terror” — violence that functions to control, intimidate, and dehumanize communities of color
- Step-by-step instructions for building First Responder teams trained in trauma-informed care, legal awareness, and community communication
- Guidance on how to document police violence safely, engage witnesses ethically, and provide support to families in crisis
- Templates, case studies, and real examples from the Bay Area that show how this model has held police accountable and kept families supported in the aftermath of tragedy
About the Anti Police-Terror Project
Founded in Oakland, APTP is a Black-led, multi-racial coalition working to end state violence against Black, Brown, and poor people. Their First Responders model has inspired similar efforts across the country — all rooted in the same belief: that our communities can organize for safety and justice without relying on systems of punishment.
This guide is for organizers, healers, educators, and researchers committed to building infrastructure for care. It reminds us that we already have what we need — knowledge, solidarity, and collective power — to show up for one another when it matters most.
