ALICE
Yelm Community Schools is focused on safety issues throughout the district and creating a sense of security for all students, staff and visitors.
In partnership with Yelm PD and a various officers, tours have been conducted of each campus through the lens of a first responder. Discussions with building administrators and facility staff included current evacuation procedures, entrance and exit protocols, maps of the building layout, reflective numbering, signage for visitors, lighting, and communications systems. Best practices emerged that will be shared with all buildings. For example, Prairie Elementary has a “Power Outage Cart.” This has a variety of flashlights, lanterns, and batteries charged and ready to roll.
Tragic events around the country and close to home have required schools to think about how to respond to what seem to be unthinkable scenarios. District staff and Student Resource Officers (SRO) are trained in ALICE on how to respond to an active shooter scenario. This national training draws in churches, business, and schools and focuses on response protocols. All administrators were introduced to the ALICE model and are continuing to discuss ways to implement these practices within their buildings.
The ALICE program empowers individuals to participate in their own survival using proactive response strategies in the face of violence. The program is designed to ensure anybody can employ the strategies. Young, old, male, female, it doesn't matter. Individuals do not have to be a police officer or military trained to survive a violent encounter.
A - ALERT is your first notification of danger. It is recognizing the signs of danger and receiving information about the danger from others.
L - LOCKDOWN: If evacuation is not a safe option, barricade entry points. Prepare to Evacuate or Counter if needed.
I - INFORM: Communicate real time information on shooter location. Use clear and direct language using any communication means possible.
C - COUNTER: As a last resort, create noise, movement, distance and distraction to reduce the shooter's ability to shoot accurately.
E - EVACUATE: When safe to do so, run from danger using non-traditional exits if necessary. Rally points should be predetermined.
Partnership with law enforcement is critical in our ability to respond and communicate during a crisis situation. Remember, there are no guarantees in an active shooter or violent intruder situation. Just as in most other emergency situations the more you prepare, the better your chances of survival.
For more information, visit the ALICE websiteand /or create an account to access ALICE Parent Module.