Full-Scale Active Threat Response Program at Katz Hillel Day School
We are ecstatic to announce the “graduation” of Katz Hillel Day School in Boca Raton, Florida from our Full-Scale Active Threat Response Program for Schools on February 22, 2017. Pictured: Joe Sharp, Executive Director of Hillel being presented with a Certificate of Completion from Steven S. Smith, President of […]
Fort Lauderdale Airport Shooting: Interview with Witness, Annika Dean, on Active Shooter Training
If you have been tuning into the news following the Fort Lauderdale Airport Shooting, you may have heard the amazing story of Broward County Public School teacher, Annika Dean, who was heroically shielded by stranger, Tony Bartosiewicz. Annika, a K-5 Art Teacher at Indian Trace Elementary, has been a teacher […]
6 Steps to Building an Active Threat Response Program for Schools
It can be a very daunting task developing an active threat response program for administrators and security directors at schools. If you are like most administrators, you have either: -Done your own research on building an active threat program and implemented one yourself; -Hired someone or tasked someone else on your […]
Are School Threats in Florida on the Rise?
As a south Florida-based company, a vast majority of the schools we serve come from this region. We’ve seen the news reports of the school threats in Florida made at Olympic Heights High School, the clown threats made at five Palm Beach County Public Schools and the direct threats to […]
Nine Questions to Ask if a School Receives a Bomb Threat
Today, 01/26/2016, four Jewish educational centers received a bomb threat in the state of Florida. The centers and schools ranged from central Florida to the south Florida area with two being in Palm Beach County. The threats caused all four schools to evacuate all its staff and students and have […]
School Safety Threats Continue to Affect Americans
USA Today released an article on the morning of December 21, 2015 regarding another school threat. This time in Nashua, N.H. the threat came in Sunday, December 20th 2015, causing the Superintendent, Mark Conrad, to take action and close all schools until law enforcement can determine the credibility of the […]
Oregon Community College Shooting: Focus Points
On Thursday, October 1, 2015, a lone wolf active shooter rocked the peaceful community of Roseburg, Oregon; and killed 9, while injuring seven in the Oregon Community College Shooting. In agreeance with the local sheriff, I will not name the cowardly killer at any point in this blog in order […]
The Next Terror Attack: Are Schools Prepared?
On September 1, 2004, several dozen heavily-armed, Islamic-nationalists stormed the Beslan schoolhouse and took over 1,100 people hostage, including mostly small children. The terror attack lasted three days as terrorists forced all of the hostages in the gymnasium and set up explosive booby traps.
Layers of Resistance for School Safety
On December 14, 2012, Adam Lanza moved around Sandy Hook Elementary with unrestricted access to victims and executed our most vulnerable and precious gems with minimal resistance. The release of the After-Action Report (AAR) detailing the incident’s investigation revealed many points in the report that are noteworthy of attention. The […]
It is Important to Report Suspicious Incidents- Don’t Be Afraid to Be Wrong!
A common trait in many people when it comes to reporting a suspicious incident is a feeling of anxiety or the fear of being wrong. People feel if they misdiagnose a potential crime or threat, peers, management and/or responders would make them feel as though they had wasted their time. […]
Annual School Safety Drill Schedule
Have You Developed An Annual School Safety Drill Schedule? We all are aware of the national mandate for schools to conduct one fire drill per month or a certain number of drills to be conducted within one school year. Many states further require schools to add natural disaster drills or […]
Lockdowns: Have They Progressed Post-Columbine?
If safety is always paramount for every school, which it should be, then why do some school administrators and teachers cringe at the terms “lockdown drills” or “active threat training?” In every school mission statement that I have read there is always a common ethos: “that every child learns in […]