According to a recent survey, 67% of educators and parents of K12 schools are more concerned about school safety now than they were five years ago. Understanding findings like this is essential for school administrators to create procedures to ensure a safe and secure learning environment. Below are 9 important safety considerations every school administrator needs to address.

Develop and Implement a Comprehensive Crisis Management / Emergency Response Plan

Creating a comprehensive Crisis Management/Emergency Response Plan requires careful consideration of various factors and potential risks. Such plans should cover the 5 phases of emergency management: prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. It is also essential to cover plans for response to varied emergencies such as:

• fire;
• severe weather/natural disasters;
• intruders (lockdown), and 
• medical emergencies

While every school is different regarding the context in which emergency policies, procedures, and protocols are planned and carried out, what is the same is ensuring that all staff members are familiar with these policies and conduct regular drills to practice them.

Active Defender’s Drill Mode

Schools implementing Active Defender as a part of their Emergency Management/Crisis Response Plans can and are encouraged to practice their fire, lockdown, and several weather drills with Active Defender’s emergency alerting/communication “Drill Mode.” This allows schools to practice essential drills directly from the Active Defender App on their cellphones, desktops, or smart boards without notifying first responders. Active Defender also allows administrators to access and print reports related to drill activities for accountability and continuous improvement purposes.

Are you interested in experiencing “Drill Mode” firsthand? Visit Active Defender to schedule a demo today!

Conduct Regular Risk Assessments

School administrators should regularly conduct various risk assessments within the school environment to identify potential hazards and assess associated risks. These assessments should cover classrooms, hallways, playgrounds, and parking lots. 

Administrators can effectively prevent accidents or incidents by promptly addressing any identified hazards. Here are five types of risk assessments to consider:

• Physical Safety- Identify hazards within the school premises, such as damaged flooring, inadequate lighting, or malfunctioning equipment.

• Security Risk- Evaluate the effectiveness of security measures, including access control systems, surveillance cameras, and perimeter fencing.

• Emergency Preparedness- Review existing emergency response plans for various scenarios, including fires, natural disasters, medical emergencies, and intruders.

• Health and Safety- Evaluate potential health hazards in the school environment, such as exposure to allergens, indoor air quality, or hazardous materials.

• Cybersecurity- Evaluate the school’s cybersecurity posture, including the security of IT systems, network infrastructure, and data protection measures.

Enhance Physical Security Measures

Administrators must prioritize installing and maintaining appropriate physical security measures to safeguard the school environment. This includes strategically deploying security cameras, access control systems, perimeter fencing, and alarm systems throughout the premises. 

For instance, by strategically placing security cameras in high-traffic areas like entrances and corridors, administrators can enhance surveillance capabilities, deter potential intruders, and promote safety among students and staff.

Administrators can better protect the school community by staying proactive and responsive to emerging threats. Regular reviews also provide opportunities to assess current security measures’ effectiveness and identify areas for improvement.

Implement Visitor Management Protocols

Establishing strict protocols for visitor management is essential to maintaining a secure school environment. These protocols should encompass various measures to verify visitors’ identities and intentions before granting them access to the premises. For instance, implementing sign-in procedures requires all visitors to provide their name, purpose of visit, and other relevant information upon arrival.

In addition to sign-in procedures, identification verification plays a crucial role in confirming the legitimacy of visitors. Schools may require visitors to present government-issued identification, such as a driver’s license or passport, which staff can verify against a database or visitor log.

Furthermore, issuing visitor badges indicates authorized entry and helps identify individuals who may not belong on campus. Visitor badges can include the visitor’s name, photo, and the purpose of their visit, making it easy for staff to identify legitimate visitors and detect any unauthorized individuals quickly.

Provide Ongoing Safety Training

According to a 2020 report, 97% of surveyed schools provide teachers with training on school safety and security. Offering regular safety training sessions for staff members is essential to ensure they are well-prepared to handle emergencies and maintain a safe environment within the school. These training sessions should cover various topics, including emergency response procedures, first aid/CPR, and crisis management.

Emergency response procedures training equips staff with the knowledge and skills to respond effectively to various emergencies, such as fires, natural disasters, medical emergencies, and security threats. Staff members learn to recognize signs of emergencies, initiate appropriate responses, evacuate safely, and coordinate with emergency services when necessary. 

Foster Strong Communication Channels

Maintain open and transparent communication channels with staff, students, parents, and the broader community regarding safety protocols, updates, and potential threats or concerns. Utilize various communication tools such as emails, newsletters, and mobile apps.

Active Defender’s Two-Way Communication

Active Defender’s chat platform facilitates direct, two-way communication among administrators, staff, and emergency responders. It includes AI chat features, allowing users to report crucial details with a single tap instantly. Learn more about Active Defender’s capabilities and how we can enhance your school’s security. 

Establish Emergency Response Teams

Forming emergency response teams composed of trained staff members is critical to ensuring an effective and coordinated response to emergencies within the school environment. These teams are responsible for managing emergencies, implementing established protocols, and ensuring the safety of students, staff, and visitors.

Assigning specific roles and responsibilities to team members is essential to streamline decision-making and actions during emergencies. Each team member should have clearly defined duties based on their expertise and training. For example, roles may include Incident Commander, Communications Coordinator, First Aid/CPR Responder, Evacuation Coordinator, and Reunification/Recovery Coordinator. By clearly delineating responsibilities, the emergency response team can work together seamlessly to address the school community’s needs during crises.

Click here to download a PDF toolkit of an emergency response prepared by the National Clearinghouse under a U.S. Department of Education grant.

Monitor and Address Bullying and Harassment

According to a 2023 study, 76% of public schools cite an increase in staff voicing concerns about their students exhibiting symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and trauma. Implementing proactive measures to prevent bullying and harassment is crucial for fostering a safe and inclusive school environment where all students can thrive.

Proactive measures may include implementing anti-bullying programs and initiatives, conducting awareness campaigns, integrating social-emotional learning into the curriculum, and promoting empathy, respect, and tolerance through classroom discussions and activities that help cultivate a culture of kindness and understanding, reducing the likelihood of bullying and harassment.

Providing resources for students and staff to report incidents confidentially is essential for ensuring that incidents of bullying and harassment are promptly addressed and effectively resolved. Establishing reporting channels, such as; 

• anonymous tip lines; 
• online reporting forms, and 
• designated staff members trained to handle reports are a few ways to promote reporting. 

By offering confidential reporting options, schools empower students and staff to speak up about bullying and harassment without fear of retaliation or stigma, increasing the likelihood of incidents being brought to the attention of school authorities.

Collaborate with Local Authorities

Establishing partnerships with local law enforcement agencies, fire departments, and emergency medical services (EMS) is essential for enhancing the school’s emergency response capabilities and ensuring the safety and well-being of students, staff, and visitors. 

Schools can leverage their expertise, resources, and support by collaborating with these external stakeholders to coordinate effective emergency responses. This partnership facilitates communication, coordination, and cooperation between the school and emergency responders, enabling a more efficient and coordinated response during crises.

Active Defender’s Integration with First Responders

Active Defender’s School Safety Platform application can integrate with local first responders, alerting authorities with detailed situational awareness of the emergency and reducing response times. Take the first step in enhancing your school’s safety today by visiting Active Defender and scheduling a demo.

Who is Active Defender?

Active Defender’s School Safety Platform revolutionizes emergency alerting and communication and provides the most comprehensive situational awareness available during a crisis. With Active Defender, ALL staff can immediately know WHAT the threat is, WHERE it is, understand WHAT TO DO, and REPORT their STATUS on a custom, dynamic campus map on their mobile device.

To learn more, visit Active Defender or take the first step in enhancing your school’s safety today by booking an interactive demo!