M.C. Kimball and Associates, LLC

Active Crisis Training – The Priorities of Life

Apr 3, 2024

The Priorities of Life: Ensuring Student Safety in Active Crisis Situations on School Campuses

In an era where educational institutions face unprecedented challenges, the safety and well-being of students take precedence over all other concerns. Active crisis situations, such as a secure campus situation for a potential violent intruder or a lockdown scenario for an on-campus active shooter, demand swift and strategic responses from teachers and school staff.

Understanding and adhering to the “priorities of life” becomes crucial in these moments, where quick decision-making can mean the difference between life and death.

The Priorities of Life:

In crisis situations, the “priorities of life” concept is often applied to guide individuals in making decisions based on the fundamental aspects of survival. These priorities typically include:

Avoidance of immediate danger: Ensure the safety of oneself and others by avoiding or removing from the immediate threat.  (Barricade, Escape and Evade, Evacuate)

Protection of innocent lives: Prioritize the safety of students and staff, preventing harm to the vulnerable. (Students, especially the very young and very old.   Students and Staff with special needs)

Applying life-saving measures: Provide injured people with necessary first aid and medical attention to preserve life until professional help arrives.  (First Aid, CPR, AED, and Stop the Bleed)

Preserving infrastructure and resources: Protect the environment and resources that contribute to the community’s long-term well-being.  (Community involvement in school safety.  Application of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design Philosophies)

Applying Priorities of Life to School Safety:

In the context of a secure campus or lockdown situation on school campuses, teachers and school staff must be well-versed in implementing the priorities of life. Here are crucial steps to safeguard students and adhere to these priorities during an active crisis:

Emergency Preparedness Training:

  1. Ensure that all staff members undergo regular training sessions on emergency protocols. We should practice all Big Five school emergency drills each quarter, with variations such as a teacher incapacitated or a student with a medical emergency. Additionally, on the 5th and 15th of every month, we should take 5-10 minutes to practice crisis rehearsal with every staff member and every student for Best Practices.
  2. Familiarize teachers with the priorities of life and how to apply them in crisis situations.

Effective Communication:

  1. Establish clear communication channels within the school community, including staff, students, and parents.
  2. Implement communication systems that allow for quick dissemination of information during emergencies to staff, students, parents, and the community.
  3. Have Emergency Scripts in place for a variety of active crisis situations.
  4. Train on and practice practical crisis communications skills.

Emergency Response Plans:

  1. Develop and regularly update comprehensive emergency response plans tailored to various crisis scenarios.
  2. Conduct drills and simulations to familiarize staff and students with the procedures outlined in the emergency response plans.
  3. Maintain update, simple Emergency Operations Plan and chart.  EOP policies and procedures should be reviewed annually and updated as necessary.

Secure Campus Design:

  1. Invest in the design and infrastructure of the school campus to enhance security measures using concepts of CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design).
  2. Implement access control systems for limited visitor access, surveillance cameras, and secure entry points to deter potential threats.
  3. Complete annual risk assessments on sites.
  4. Complete comprehensive site threat vulnerability assessment on sites every 5 years.
  5. Complete Active Shooter Readiness Response Assessment Annually.
  6. Invest in Campus Safety Officers (Internal Security Officers) at each site.

Teacher Training and Empowerment:

  1. Train teachers to remain calm and think strategically during crisis situations.
  2. Empower teachers to take leadership roles in ensuring the safety of their students, emphasizing the priorities of life. (Crisis Leadership Training)
  3. Train teachers and empower them to use an options-based program for active shooters and violent intruders.
  4. Empower teachers to empower students to take student leadership roles during active crisis situations and empower teachers to train students on active crisis response protocols.
  5. Ensure that E.O.P.’s policies and procedures accurately reflect options-based protocols and procedures for active crisis events, including active shooter and violent intruder events.
  6. Train teachers to keep the doors locked at all times.
  7. Train Teachers how to use the 4 Elements of Situational Awareness.

Student Empowerment:

  1. Train students on options-based protocols and procedures.
  2. Empower students with the ability to use options-based protocols.
  3. Empower students through inclusive, trauma-informed practices such as the We’ve Got Your Back program for Active Crisis Training.
  4. Empower students with first aid, CPR, and Stop the Bleed training and provide for life skills.
  5. Empower the students to become leaders on school response teams for active crisis situations.
  6. During a crisis, assign students to participate in their own safety as well as the safety of others.
  7. Refer to best practices from the National Association of School Psychologists for student participation in Active Crisis Training.

Collaboration with Law Enforcement:

  1. Foster strong partnerships with local law enforcement and fire agencies to facilitate a rapid and coordinated response to emergencies.
  2. Conduct joint training exercises with law enforcement using role players from local drama clubs and community performing arts groups to enhance collaboration and communication.  (Do not use school staff and students to be role players – see guidelines under the National Association of School Psychologists).
  3. Collaborate and invite first responders to observe and critique school drills.
  4. Embrace and maintain school resource officers.

Conclusion:

In times of crisis, the priorities of life serve as a guiding framework for making critical decisions. For teachers and school staff, the safety of students is paramount, and adherence to these priorities is non-negotiable. It is imperative that we make students a part of this process and empower them to act by providing them with life-skills and knowledge in the area of Active Crisis Training.  This is non-negotiable.  Through rigorous, ongoing, frequent training, effective communication, and collaboration with law enforcement, educational institutions can create a secure environment that prioritizes life and protects the well-being of the entire school community during active crisis situations, allowing for student participation, enhanced opportunities for growth, and developing life skills.