Beyond the Drills: Rethinking School Safety and Emergency Preparedness – With Daniel Dluzneski
Summary
The conversation explores the urgent issue of school shootings and how to enhance school safety measures. The guest, Daniel Dluzneski, a retired lieutenant with the US Secret Service and former coordinator of emergency management, discusses his book 'The First Five Minutes: School Shooting Survival Guide for Administrators and Teachers' and the need for concise and practical information on school safety. The conversation covers topics such as the role of technology in school safety, the importance of human-centered training, the key steps teachers and administrators should take during a shooting, and the need for a multi-layered approach to school safety. The conversation covers the topics of lockdowns, run-hide-fight training, the Alice training program, conflict resolution in schools, and parent engagement in safety discussions.
Keywords: school shootings, school safety, technology, human-centered training, lockdowns, armed school resource officers, multi-layered approach, lockdowns, run-hide-fight, Alice training, conflict resolution, parent engagement, school safety
Takeaways
School shootings are a pressing issue that requires urgent attention and practical solutions.
Schools should focus on a multi-layered approach to safety, including measures like six-foot fencing, limited entrances, locked classroom doors, and armed school resource officers.
Technology alone is not sufficient to prevent school shootings, and schools should prioritize human-centered training and drills.
During a shooting, teachers and administrators should prioritize lockdowns, stay in locked classrooms, and avoid evacuating students unless absolutely necessary.
Schools should regularly assess and update their safety measures and policies to ensure they are effective and aligned with best practices. Lockdowns are advocated as an effective response to school shootings, as they limit the movement of the shooter and protect students and staff.
The run-hide-fight training, originally designed for adults in the corporate world, is not suitable for children in schools, as it encourages them to confront gunmen.
The Alice training program, which stands for alert, lockdown, inform, confront, and evacuate, has been criticized for its unrealistic and dangerous approach, such as encouraging students to throw objects at gunmen.
Schools can improve conflict resolution and manage student behavior by implementing threat assessment teams and encouraging students to report concerns to trusted adults.
Parent engagement is crucial in school safety discussions, and parents can advocate for better safety protocols and communication with the school board and state legislature.
Schools should prioritize campus security, including monitoring access points and addressing open doors or gates that could allow unauthorized individuals to enter.
More about the guest
Daniel Dluzneski
Retired Lieutenant U.S. Secret Service Former Coordinator Emergency Management, Safety and Security Pinellas County Schools, Florida.
