Orange-Ulster BOCES Health & Safety/Risk Management Division holds school safety training session

Representatives from 13 mid-Hudson school districts and four law enforcement agencies recently attended a training session focused on school safety and security led by the Orange-Ulster BOCES Health & Safety/Risk Management Division.

In addition to Russo, speakers included Orange County Assistant Undersheriff Anthony J.  Weed, OU-BOCES Emergency Planning Technician Duane J. Lopez and New York State Police Troop F School and Community Outreach Coordinator Anca M. Watt.

The event at the OU BOCES Emanuel Axelrod Education Center in Goshen stressed the need for standardized protocols and training. The session also reviewed the education law and requirements schools must meet for Emergency Response Planning each year.

The program featured the latest information on active shooter situations based on briefings from recent incidents. OU BOCES will be offering more sessions, including Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events (CRASE) training in late September.

“The feedback from the session was outstanding,” said OU BOCES Director of Operations Mark Coleman. “The common theme was that people wanted more information, specifically on incident command.”

Schools are required to develop an Incident Command System (ICS) for both the crisis site and reunification site and be prepared to assist other buildings or districts during a crisis. ICS enhances emergency communications and allows multiple agencies to work together effectively during difficult and dangerous circumstances.

As a follow-up to this training, OU BOCES provided opening day trainings at several school districts. The OU BOCES Health and Safety/Risk Management Department offers school districts many services including: site security and threat assessments, Emergency Response Team training and CRASE training.