JCDS ALICE Training Overview Critical Incident Response Training

Why ALICE This provides a skill set that a child can take with them anywhere they go. Just like how fire drills can be scary at first, they become second nature after practice and there is no question as to what should be done. Whether you are in a school, supermarket, movie theater or other public venue, everyone knows how to respond to a fire alarm. People need to have the same confidence and direction when dealing with the threat of violence. When seconds count, it is imperative that decisions be made on scene to help save lives rather than wait for direction. If you and your family were in an emergency situation, would you prefer to passively sit and wait or take steps to secure your safety?

Continued… In response to the most respected and current research in the field (FBI/NYPD) school districts and law enforcement agencies are collaborating to advance school safety. This is clearly supported in the recent Governor’s task force report. Watertown has already enacted many of the report’s recommendations. Watertown schools are tailoring other recommendations to meet the needs of our students and our faculty. This is also a recommendation strategy from the Department of Homeland Security.

A Comprehensive Program A Common Sense Approach A.L.I.C.E. Alert – inform people of the threat, giving as much information as possible. Lockdown – students and staff can choose to lockdown and barricade the room that they’re in if they determine that it is not safe to evacuate. Inform – pass on as much information as possible to others and to first responders, including contacting 9-1-1. Counter – an effort of last resort, if an armed intruder is able to get into the space that they are in; students are being trained to use every effort to stop the intruder instead of being passive victims. This aspect of training is geared towards staff only. Evacuate – if it is safe to do so, all are encouraged to evacuate the building and remove themselves from the threat.

Benefits of ALICE ALICE training procedures give staff and students the options needed in an emergency Lockdown does not mean Locked-In You always have the right to escape danger and evacuate if the opportunity exists. Confrontation is a last resort when you encounter an attacker. Child psychologists have been consulted to provide an age appropriate approach to elementary/middle school aged children

Three Human Reactions to Fear What does the Body do and Why? Fight Flight Freeze Which response does LOCKDOWN most closely resemble? Is just one always the best and only option? We train with a person’s instincts in mind to enhance quick decision making and avoid uncertainty We give many options for staff and students to use; allowing for adaptability in a dynamic emergency situation.

Frequently Asked Questions Here we will cover most topics that other parents had questions about. These questions were taken from North Andover, Wilmington, Waltham and Groton/Dunstable for example. All of these communities and more are adopting enhanced lockdown procedures. We hope to answer most questions you have with this segment and we will cover any questions you have left at the end.

Do people have to follow the response options in order; Are you supposed to alert, then lockdown, then inform? The enhanced lockdown procedure is NOT meant to be a checklist of things to do. It is a list of choices we are offering to students and staff in order to stay safe in the highly unlikely event of an armed intruder and other emergencies. Some may choose to evacuate and some may choose to lockdown and barricade. Others may be forced to counter if an armed intruder is able to enter the space they are in. This is about giving people options. It is a range of possible options rather than a list of things that need to be done in order.

Is there a possibility of secondary attacks if people are trying to leave the area? Of course it is impossible to anticipate every threat. Common sense however, would dictate evacuating a building if a threat was inside. Any threats outside the building will be quickly identified and dealt with by first responders.

How will parents be notified if their child’s school is in lockdown? Shortly after a lockdown condition/evacuation is declared, the school will send out a parent alert message via phone/text/email. As often is the case, social media may have a faster response but social media messages are often fraught with inaccuracy and false information. The school message will have the best possible details based on the facts that we have on hand and we will send out updates as needed. A careful balance between speed and accuracy must be made when delivering these messages.

Isn’t this what the police are for? Police cannot be at all places, all of the time. The average response time for law enforcement is 3-4 minutes to arrive on scene and it may take longer to discover the exact nature of the threat. ALICE is designed to increase survival and safety in those minutes that law enforcement is en-route. During that time, faculty and students will have the training and tools to take active steps that will make them safer.

Could confronting a threatening person agitate them further? Research indicates that violent attackers in schools seek one thing – to harm as many people as possible. The same research indicates that when forced to do so, confronting a threat has proven more effective than passive reactions.

Who should make the decision as to what is the best option to take? Those at risk should make the decision that is best for them given the situation. It is unrealistic to think we can write a policy that will be effective for every scenario. Information and training is what will allow those in danger to make an informed decision to confront, evacuate, or barricade, and that will increase their chances of survival.  

Will you be including cafeteria workers, custodians and other support staff in the training along with educators? Yes. Cafeteria workers, custodians and others will participate in ALICE training. The main aspect of this procedure is that it is designed as a range of options so it can be versatile. This allows for use in a wide variety of situations without the need for tailor made drills in differing environments.

Having a plan is the best place to start Thank you for listening Questions

Basic Statistics – NYPD Study The NYPD’s analysis demonstrates that 98% of active shooter incidents in the active shooter data set were carried out by a single attacker. In the majority of active shooter events, the perpetrator had either a professional or academic relationship with at least one of the victims (64%). Location Type Number of Incidents Percentage School 64 29% Office Building 29 13% Open Commercial 52 23% Factory/Warehouse 30 Other 49 22% Total 224* 100% * The 202 cases in the active shooter data set occurred at 224 locations because several attacks involved more than one location.

FBI Study of 160 events from 2000-2013 At least 107 (66.9%) ended before police arrived and could engage the shooter, either because a citizen intervened, the shooter fled, or the shooter committed suicide or was killed by armed civilian. Police Intervention Suicide Weapon Malfunction Civilian Intervention In at least 65 (40.6%) of the 160 incidents, citizen engagement or the shooter committing suicide ended the shooting at the scene before law enforcement arrived. In 37 incidents (23.1%), the shooter committed suicide at the scene before police arrived. In 21 incidents (13.1%), the situation ended after unarmed citizens safely and successfully restrained the shooter. 11 involved unarmed principals, teachers, other school staff and students who confronted shooters to end the threat.

Courtesy of Bill Barchers, www.hardtactics.com