Before graduation caps are thrown into the air and tickets are sent to excited friends and family of the graduating class, a lot of preparation goes into ensuring that the event is safe and fun for all attending. In 2022, Three high school graduation ceremonies ended with shots fired in separate incidents in Louisiana, Michigan, and Tennessee within 24 hours.

While preventing or predicting every safety situation at graduation is impossible, the more thoroughly your graduation safety plan is developed, the better prepared you and your staff will be when faced with an incident.

Venue Inspection

The first item on the graduation safety checklist is to ensure that the desired venue for graduation is safe from any potential physical hazards. Check the venue thoroughly for;

• hazards such as uneven flooring, loose wires, or obstacles;
• ensure that emergency exits are clearly marked and easily accessible; and
• verify that the venue’s capacity aligns with the expected number of attendees to prevent overcrowding.

Accessibility

Ensure the venue is accessible to individuals with disabilities and arrange seating accommodations, designated parking spaces, and accessible restrooms. To ensure your graduation is Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant, view Ezaccess’s ADA-compliant graduation ceremony article. 

Traffic and Parking

One of the biggest headaches for friends and family of the graduating class is finding a place to park and dealing with the inevitable traffic. A few ways to alleviate this pain point are to;

• arrange designated parking areas; 
• provide clear physical signage;
• send out a PDF map of the parking areas in advance; and
• coordinate with local authorities to manage traffic flow around the venue.

Medical Assistance

While most graduations are held in late spring and early summer, it is not uncommon for the ceremony to be outdoors in the heat. Having a designated medical team or first aid station on-site is essential to attend to any attendees who need assistance.

Weather Preparedness

If you plan to host your graduation ceremony outdoors, check the weather forecast before the event and have a contingency plan in case of inclement weather, such as moving the ceremony indoors or rescheduling.

Security Measures

Arguably, event security is the most essential item on a graduation safety checklist. There are several things to consider regarding security at graduation ceremonies. Appropriate physical security at the event can be achieved by;

• coordinating with local law enforcement to be present; 
• assign trained personnel to monitor entrances and exits; and
• implement bag checks or metal detectors if deemed necessary.

It is also essential that the safety protocols and procedures are communicated to staff, graduates, and attendees before the event.

Emergency Plan

It is essential to have a comprehensive emergency plan that covers various scenarios, such as medical emergencies, severe weather, or security threats. Train staff and volunteers on emergency protocols and assign specific roles and responsibilities so stakeholders have an action plan in the event of an emergency.

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. 

Crowd Management

The final item on our graduation safety checklist relates to the attendees. You’ll need to plan for orderly entry and exit procedures to reduce crowd bottlenecking around key entry points. To maintain a good traffic flow, you can assign staff to monitor crowd flow and behavior and intervene if necessary.

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!