Sponsor – Critical Response Group

Massachusetts Major City Chiefs of Police-emblem white

Platinum Sponsor

The Massachusetts Major City Chiefs of Police is pleased to recognize Critical Response Group (CRG) as a Platinum Sponsor. CRG provides tools and services designed to support emergency response coordination, particularly in law enforcement and public safety environments. Their work centers on improving situational awareness during critical incidents through standardized mapping tools and planning resources.

About Critical Response Group

Critical Response Group is based in New Jersey and was established by a team composed of U.S. Special Operations veterans and public safety professionals. Their mission is to improve critical incident response by creating and maintaining accurate, accessible, and visually consistent maps and plans for emergency responders and facility managers. Their leadership includes individuals with backgrounds in military operations, law enforcement, emergency management, and security consulting.

CRG has worked with law enforcement agencies across the country, including departments here in Massachusetts. Their tools are designed to promote consistency and clarity during high-stress incidents involving multiple agencies or stakeholders.

Core Product: Collaborative Response Graphics® (CRGs)

CRG's primary offering is a mapping system known as Collaborative Response Graphics®. These graphics are not traditional maps or blueprints but are simplified, site-specific visual diagrams that combine:

Aerial imagery
Gridded overlays
Labeling for internal and external points of interest
Integration with floor plans when available

The purpose of CRGs is to give all parties involved in an incident—dispatchers, officers, fire, EMS, school personnel, and others—a shared, easily understood visual reference that improves communication and coordination. The graphics are designed for use under stress and with limited time to interpret information.

These tools are not only used by law enforcement but also deployed in schools, hospitals, event venues, and government buildings.

Support Services and Integration

In addition to developing graphics, CRG provides services that support implementation and usage:

On-Site Surveys & Implementation – A team of retired law enforcement professionals leads the fieldwork and implementation process.
Ongoing Maintenance – CRG offers annual reviews and updates to maintain the relevance of each site map.
Training & Orientation – Users are provided training on how to incorporate the maps into their planning and emergency response protocols.
Integration – CRG supports integration with various platforms, including CAD (Computer-Aided Dispatch), mass notification systems, and mobile mapping tools like GXP OnScene®.

Use in Public Safety

The CRG system has been adopted in various jurisdictions for different use cases:

Tactical law enforcement operations (e.g., active shooter response, building clearances)
School safety and coordination with school personnel
Event security planning
Multi-agency incident command coordination
Public safety dispatch and 911 center support

Law enforcement agencies in Massachusetts have adopted CRGs for public buildings, schools, and municipal facilities. CRG has also worked with more than 14,000 schools nationally and has contributed to mapping initiatives in states where legislation has mandated standardized safety mapping.

Statements from CRG's Website

The following testimonials appear on CRG’s website and are included here for reference:

"CRGs were a game-changer for us during our multi-agency response to a school threat. They helped us coordinate faster and more confidently."
— Chief Chris Leusner, Middle Township Police Department

"The simplicity and clarity of the CRG maps allowed officers, dispatchers, and school personnel to speak the same language during our training exercises."
— Lt. Joe Hendry (ret.), School Safety Advocate

"Having a visual reference that everyone can understand has improved our ability to respond quickly and safely."
— Capt. Michelle Whalen, Montgomery County Police

These quotes are sourced directly from CRG’s public-facing materials and are attributed accordingly.

Services for Massachusetts Agencies

CRG offers its mapping and training services to agencies throughout Massachusetts. Departments can use their services for school safety planning, municipal facility preparedness, tactical operations, and broader emergency coordination. CRG also provides guidance on how agencies may secure funding for these projects through available state or federal grant programs.