School Safety Bill O’Brien Homeland Security Operations Manager Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency School Safety Bill O’Brien Homeland Security Operations Manager November 1, 2018

Georgia’s School Safety Law (OCGA 20-2-1185) Every public school must have a safety plan. Plan updated and reviewed annually Submitted to local EMA for review/approval Plan must address certain emergencies: Natural Disasters Hazardous and Radiological Materials Acts of Violence and Terrorism Other Emergencies Certain people must have input: Parents, Students, Teachers Community Leaders Public Safety Departments to include Local EMA The GEMA/HS Coordinators Provide: Training & technical assistance Incident Response and Support

Services We Provide GEMA/HS provides training and technical assistance throughout the state’s education community, and is able to provide these services to both public and private school systems in the areas of emergency management and safe school operations. GEMA/HS is one source of support and technical assistance related to school safety. Local emergency management agencies, local law enforcement agencies, school resource officers, and the Georgia Department of Education also provide valuable assistance to schools as they develop their safety planning.

Technical Assistance Includes, but is not limited to: Bomb Threat Management Crisis Management Planning Crisis Response Team Development Exercise Design Safety Plan Development Site Assessments Drills/Evacuations

Site Surveys / Assessments Requested by the school system SB 15 now mandated, must be completed by 2021 Performed in conjunction with Local EMA, Law Enforcement, Fire, etc.

Safety Plan Assistance In conjunction with Local EMA, Law Enforcement and other Public Service Organizations Provide technical support and recommendations

Drills and Exercises Evaluate drills and exercises Assist in drill development Provide list of other recommended drills

School Safety on the Web List of Handouts and Checklists Information on School Safety Laws Training Course List and Descriptions Coordinator Contact Information www.gema.ga.gov www.gema.ga.gov

Training We Provide Schools may request any of the following training programs from GEMA/HS: Active Shooter, Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events (CRASE) Bullying Prevention Current Drug Trends in Schools Implications for Terrorism in Schools Visual Weapons Screening Security Access Audit Gang Awareness Severe Weather Preparedness Stop the Bleed

CRASE Citizen Response to Active Shooter Events *Developed by Texas State University * Developed ALERRT (Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training) * 2013 – National Standard for Law Enforcement response per FBI

CRASE (continued) Follows Department of Homeland Security Guidelines AVOID DENY DEFEND Simple to remember Provides options Free of charge

Visual Weapons Screening Situational awareness Great for front office staff Weapon carrying identifiers Discuss correct actions to take

Weather terminology Safe practices Weather Awareness Weather terminology Safe practices

What is GEMA/HS doing? Annual Safety in our Schools Conference. Host training classes on Managing School Bomb Threats (July 2019). Assisting Schools with Lockdown/Re-unification exercises. Teaching CRASE/Stop the Bleed and conducting Site Assessments and providing Safety Plan assistance throughout the State. Created a standardized site assessment format endorsed by DOE and used by GEMA/HS Coordinators. Support schools by participating in National Night Out.

Continued Partnerships Ga. Dept. of Education Ga. School Board Association Regional Education Service Agencies (RESA) Ga. School Superintendents Association Ga. Information Sharing and Analysis Center (GISAC)

Homeland Security Task Force MOU with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation to create a Homeland Security Task Force. GEMA Homeland Security Coordinators : Certified Law Enforcement Officers. Adds a level of investigative follow-up related to Threat to Life issues. Regional Terrorism Specialist/TFA respond to access credibility/severity of a threat. Improves the reporting process and tracking on school related threats. (Will be tracked through GISAC)

Homeland Security Coordinators Area 6 Kevin Stanfield Cell:404-434-1160 Kevin.stanfield@gema.ga.gov Area 1 David Shanks Cell: 404-772-3799 david.shanks@gema.ga.gov Area 7 Cell: 404-558-6107 Area 3 Area 8 Kerry Futch Cell: 404-719-7377 kerry.futch@gema.ga.gov Area 4 Clint Westbrook Cell: 404-977-7555 clint.westbrook@gema.ga.gov Area 5 Area 2 Casey Cope Cell: 404-852-7143 casey.cope@gema.ga.gov

SEE SOMETHING,SEND SOMETHING Reporting SEE SOMETHING,SEND SOMETHING Report suspicious activity anywhere within the U.S. Anonymous/self identified tip submission Two-way, real-time, anonymous/self identified messaging Check your tip status Get critical information through broadcast notifications and pulse notifications Call 833-SEE-SEND or app is available to iPhone, Android and iPad users.

See Something, Send Something App

Questions ?

Bill O’Brien William.obrien@gema.ga.gov Thank you! Bill O’Brien William.obrien@gema.ga.gov