A thorough review of school emergency lockdown equipment and procedures belongs on every district’s set of new year resolutions.
Here, Sonitrol Great Lakes Education Market security experts share their insights on best practices and technology for school lockdowns.
What’s the best lockdown solution?
While some may view lockdown solutions in terms of hardware and technology, our experts advocate for a more comprehensive approach – viewing lockdown as a combination of people, processes and technology.
It is important to note that technology alone offers little or no value if people don’t know how to use it, or it’s not integrated into a broader plan. Even the best door lock is useless if someone props open the door.
Our experts share the following advice on developing an effective lockdown strategy to minimize personal safety threats in school.
Get a qualified vulnerability assessment
Considering no two schools are the same, a physical security vulnerability assessment can help identify specific safety risks that may expose students and staff to an active assailant threat. Risks that include:
- Vulnerabilities in the design of the school’s physical environment – such as a floor-to-ceiling plate glass window next to the locked entrance door.
- “Human error” risks from inadequate training – like a custodian politely holding open a door for an unknown visitor.
- Risks from outdated or non-functional technology – like the forgotten classroom intercom that’s hidden behind a large stack of books.
Identifying safety vulnerabilities will help schools better prioritize their budgets and technology procurement. But more than that, it will highlight where additional safety protocols or training may be needed.
Develop an emergency preparedness plan
While they may not be standardized, most schools are required to have a documented emergency preparedness plan. Ideally, this plan addresses any number of emergencies. But specifically for a lockdown situation, the plan should include protocols to address all phases of a threat – from the moment it begins, until after it is neutralized, people are evacuated, and children are safely reunited with their families.
Sonitrol Great Lakes recommends developing this plan jointly with local law enforcement, first responders and community leaders to ensure that in the event of a crisis, all relevant stakeholders have a collective understanding and can work together in an organized and efficient manner.