School Safety: To Plan, or Not to Plan.........

The School Resource Officer Program - is it worth it? My view - HELL YES! These trained law enforcement officers are SO much more than just "armed security". As far as I'm concerned, we need to open our heads to the multiple possibilities this program offers.

http://schoolsofthought.blogs.cnn.com/2013/01/17/my-view-more-school-resource-officers-more-safe-school-communities/?hpt=hp_bn1

Imagine the voice of Clint Eastwood for this one: "Are ya an emergency manager? Are ya? Well, are ya?"

I'd hazard a guess that many of us never think of ourselves as being anything remotely resembling an emergency manager, and I'll tell each and every one of you you're so totally wrong, it's ridiculous, I tell ya!

http://thepeacechallenge.blogspot.com/2013/01/are-you-emergency-manager.html

If you'd like more information on what an emergency manager does, consider taking this free online FEMA training course. It takes 10 hours of your time. It's called "IS-1 Emergency Manager: An Orientation to the Position".

http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/is1.asp

Not usually a big supporter of Time Magazine, especially following some of the stories they did following the tragedy at Columbine High School, but this one is an exception in my opinion. Many of the people quoted in the article are experienced, highly trained law enforcement officers. Once again, it would appear there are no easy answers to any of the issues surrounding gun violence, especially as applied to school safety. The article addresses the issue of arming teachers and armed security in schools without pushing an "agenda", at least that I was able to discern, which I personally find more useful than some of the crap I've seen on both sides of this issue.

http://swampland.time.com/2013/01/16/your-brain-in-a-shootout-guns-fear-and-flawed-instincts/

Once again, I'll state it is my professional opinion that gun violence is an issue that must be addressed while designing, developing, and implementing a full spectrum emergency management program at schools. But, and this is a very big but (no pun intended cuz it would be spelled butt if I meant it in that context :Whistle ), the issue of gun violence is not, nor can it be, the ONLY issue discussed and planned for. We simply cannot afford to make such a monumental mistake while planning for the safety of our kids.

For anyone who may have missed it, this goes to the heart of the issue of gun violence in America (although the video and article itself are specific to Colorado). Once again, though, gun violence is only one, albeit a very important one, aspect of a full spectrum emergency management program in schools.

Thank you, John Michael and Ellen Keyes for continuing to do what you do so very, very well.

http://denver.cbslocal.com/2013/01/19/school-safety-summit-held-at-the-state-capitol/

Taking the politics out of the discussion, and trying to make it very clear right up front in this post that it isn't about any kind of "gun control" being promoted here, I'm asking whether safety measures like the ones discussed in the article might even be viable considerations much less practical in their application.

I know "smart technology" doesn't address those guns already in circulation (unless there'd be some way to retrofit, and unless owners would be willing to do so), but this seems like a viable start in the right direction to me.

There are a lot of old "false equivalency" types of arguments that come to mind on this, but, as with virtually any "new" regulation and/or safety measures in any area of our lives, it seems we tend to meet them with a degree of resistance until they become the norm, so to speak. Motorcycle helmets for many, seat belts also for many, and the very gradual evolution of multiple other safety devices built into our motor vehicles without our "consent" are just a few examples of "hidden" regulations we now accept as normal. So, should smart technology in guns be a consideration?

Another question might be would responsible gun owners, and we know there are many of them out there, be willing to pay the added expense of purchasing guns with this technology installed and/or to retrofit their existing guns if they know the technology would make their guns safer and, as a result, hopefully everyone around them safer, too?

The part of the article where they say, "Another company, TriggerSmart in Ireland, makes a childproof smart-gun that can’t be fired near schools that have the requisite technology installed on campus" is of particular interest regarding enhancing safer schools.

http://www.allgov.com/news/unusual-news/the-gun-that-cant-be-used-if-stolen-130108?news=846685

The title of this article is a little misleading in that it is what we would consider to be a "grabber". The content, however, is very relevant to any discussion of safer schools. The proposals in the article are very narrowly drawn. A discussion of any bans on anything are carefully avoided. Please consider reading it and providing feedback, both pros and cons, regarding whether these proposals have merit and/or practical applicability in the planning process for enhancing safer schools. Thanks.

http://mobile.bloomberg.com/news/2013-01-21/in-little-noah-s-honor-sensible-gun-legislation.html

Interesting to say the least. Reality is that many don't ever give this any consideration, but it's something another poster brought to our attention awhile back.

Let's say a lockdown is declared. Most classrooms above the elementary school level don't have water available. Few, if any classrooms that we are aware of have restroom facilities available. Some simple planning issues like these can become major problems in an actual response. There are others, as well, but these two are probably the most pressing of all.

The link is to an ebay site selling "lockdown kits". They're pricey, and many schools could provide the same ingredients for a lot less money. But, the concept is valid (thanks, Badger, for bringing it to our attention).

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-School-Classroom-Lockdown-Survival-Kit-Protect-Students-Emergency-Teacher-/160774506591#vi-content

Active shooter response training:



A couple of things to consider when planning for an active shooter scenario as portrayed in this video:
1.) Training like this must, if it's going to be presented as a possible response for students, faculty, and admins in a school, be for "age appropriate" students. Elementary age kids probably shouldn't have this kind of training presented to them.
2.) The training focuses on response inside a classroom. Does anyone have any suggestions how it might be applicable in a hallway, or in a theater, or a mall, or a church, or other public gathering place?

This article is so worth the read!

The title is "Is It Time to Treat Violence Like a Contagious Disease?". Perhaps it is time.

http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2013/01/violence-is-contagious/