This is a great example of what schools and school districts should be doing to enhance safety and emergency preparedness. The foundation to any successful school safety and emergency preparedness program is strong, robust collaborative groups that evolve over time. Quick knee-jerk meetings to address a right now emergency crisis is not preparedness - it is response. Only over time with consistent meetings/exercises can a group of first responders, school officials, and community members make a difference.
If your school leadership cannot articulate clearly what the foundation is for your school safety and emergency preparedness program, then you do not have a foundation to build from. The foundation is certainly not safety/security technology systems. It is collaborative groups like what North Shore School District and their community put together.
It took a solid 5 years to nurture and develop Irvine’s Emergency Preparedness Interagency Collaborative. It started as an Irvine USD grass roots effort in 2014 and took off after a firm foundation was established by the founding members. Check out our safety and emergency preparedness efforts today at EPICIrvine.org.
Invest quality time to develop your own safety/EM foundation.
Ensuring safety and security in our schools is a community effort. Yesterday, representatives from local organizations came together for a regular meeting to align efforts and strategies. This group included first responders, school district officials, city leaders, library staff and park district representatives. We are grateful for their partnership and dedication to the safety of our students and staff! #112leads