Tragic school shootings in which multiple students or faculty have been killed or injured in a single event, as well as terrorist threats to homeland security, have heightened the need for crisis and emergency preparedness. As demonstrated by the recent events in Ohio, Delaware, and Virginia, tragedy can strike any school in any location and remind us that although these incidents are isolated events, our nation's schools remain vulnerable and are often the target of violent attacks. Therefore, all schools should embrace the positive impact that effective comprehensive school safety plans, training and exercises can have on their efforts to provide safe school environments that are conducive to learning and which positively affect student performance. The effectiveness of a school safety plan is measured in the lives of children, faculty and administrators that are left unharmed in the event of an incident of school-based violence, an accident, a natural disaster or other hazard. The Secure Community Network previously hosted a Special Commentary Teleconference on these subjects featuring subject matter experts in the field. To download and listen to the recording of this call please click here.  For additional information on safety planning, The United States Department of Education has released a document entitled Phases of School Safety Planning.  This presentation provides schools with steps to mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from a crisis or emergency within their school.

Another excellent resource for school anti-terrorism guidelines by the United States Department of Education is the document entitled Practical Information on Crisis Planning: A Guide for Schools and Communities. This comprehensive, all-inclusive manual provides schools, districts and communities with the critical concepts and components of good crisis planning as well as examples of best practices.