SchoolSAFE, Author at SchoolSAFE Communications

The SchoolSAFE program enables a two-way radio connection between first responders and school officials during an emergency. The comprehensive training program partners with schools to provide user-specific training in emergency communications management, empowering community partnering with first responders.

The program is also Colorado’s SAFER Grant compliant, providing hardware, software, and training to each school district. The SAFER Grant provides true radio interoperability for first responders and school districts, funding the state-wide initiative. Over 500 installations have been completed throughout the state and we are constantly training best practices at all of our schools and districts. We strongly encourage each school’s leadership to reach out to the local fire station, for each district to get in a room with first responders – this is community partnering.

For example, we had one school place numbers on the top of each exterior door to help the fire department know where to go in an emergency. The Battalion Chief pointed out that the numbers would be better placed at the bottom of the doors in the event of heavy smoke. The Police Chief was also interested in the door numbering system for their knowledge and ability to respond. Because of one meeting, safety protocols and a general understanding was improved for all parties involved in an emergency. We all want our schools to be safer, with each stakeholder working to have the best response. A great place to start is getting these key stakeholders in the room together.

Community partnering at its finest.

Do you need assistance in getting the ball rolling? Contact us and we can help get you started.

At SchoolSAFE, we get many questions about school safety, best practices, and how to make communities more savvy in how they prepare for emergencies. We recently received several great inquiries about school safety practices from SchoolSAFE users, including: how do school districts handle preventative maintenance for emergencies? And, are first responders and school districts required to participate in trainings together to become SchoolSAFE Certified Ready?

Every school district is unique in their planning and execution of safety practices. One of our best examples of preparation and proactivity is in Pueblo, Colorado. The school district started by discussing various all-hazards scenarios at each school and referred to the district’s crisis plans to effectively respond. By doing so, administrators, teachers, and local public safety agencies were able to discover, mold, and develop best practices for teamwork day-to-day and during emergencies. They later learned that their ultimate tool for effective teamwork is the two-way radio in the schools. It enables each school to connect directly with professional responders and district personnel, putting everyone on a reliable, common channel to expedite the response.

First responders came to the table and provided their input on how the school could improve their response. They focused on the initial trigger to the incident – (lock down, lock out, evacuate or shelter), how and when the schools call 9-1-1, and how to evaluate a situation and share information “in real time.” Through the SchoolSAFE Certified Ready Schools Program by Motorola Solutions, relationships between school personnel and first responders flourished. The program required teamwork and training for all entities involved, FCC licensed radios, the SchoolSAFE physical network that bridges the channels together, tactical interoperable communications exercises, and continuing education throughout the partnership.

We have seen that decision-makers in both the school district and public safety grasp the importance of working together to create the most effective and timely response.

Do your students and community a favor, and share this information with your school or district. We need to work together to help fund and implement the technologies and procedures that enable teamwork among school and district-based responders as well as professional public safety responders. We are here to help your community discuss, plan, and implement your next steps. We appreciate educators and first responders for all that they do and for reaching out to us on this very important subject. -SSC

Author: SchoolSAFE

Community Partnering

SchoolSAFE Best Practices and Community Partnerships

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