California School Trending Topics

Panel on School Violence Risks

Written by California School Trending Topics | November 21, 2022

During 2022 to date, nearly two mass casualty events occurred each day in the U.S. The devastating loss of 19 children and two teachers at Robb Elementary in Uvalde, Texas in May, punctuate the challenges of student safety in school facilities. While every risk cannot be eliminated, there are positive measures you can take to make your schools a safer environment for pupils and staff.

AP Keenan recently held an expert roundtable panel to address questions, concerns and approaches to Active Assailant Risk Management. The recording of the presentation is available using the link below.

 

 

The issues surrounding active assailant incidents in our schools are complex and our panel approached the subject from a variety of perspectives and to the root causes. Lessons learned from previous tragic incidents have helped improve best practices for preventing and responding to campus violence. Among the topics covered in this webinar are:

  • State of Student Mental Health
  • The impacts of COVID
  • Evolving practices; old practices updated for our new challenges
  • The three categories of Crisis prevention and management: Pre-crisis, crisis, and post-crisis

"Lessons learned from past incidents improve best practices for managing campus violence risks."

Our multidisciplinary panel members all have had direct, real-world experience with incident management and response to violence and natural disasters affecting schools:

  • Bill Clayton, Director, IMReady Emergency Operations Expert
  • Brian Erdelyi, Director IMReady Law Enforcement Specialist
  • Tom DeLapp, Crisis Communication and Public Information Officer Specialist
  • Dr. Gail Angus, Student Behavior Specialist

The panel responded to questions submitted by the attendees before and during the webinar to address the planning process applicable to school districts large and small, urban, suburban and rural. Assessment of vulnerabilities; identifying gaps in policies, procedures, and compliance; recognition of red flags; and response training are essential to minimizing the risks of an active assailant event at your schools.

We invite you to watch the webinar recording to help keep your children and community safer. There is no cost to view the presentation.