SCSD #1 implements new crisis management training
New active shooter response program for school system
by Jay Harnack, Superintendent, SCSD #1
November 11, 2013
The Sublette County Sheriff's Office and Sublette County School District #1 are working together to put a new active shooter response program in place for our school system.
A.L.I.C.E. is an acronym for Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, and Evacuate. Prior to the A.L.I.C.E. plan, lockdown procedures involved the staff locking their doors, moving the students to a part of the room where they could not be seen, and quietly remaining there until an "all clear" announcement was given. The A.L.I.C.E. plan offers a different philosophy in light of recent school violence. The philosophy of A.L.I.C.E. is to use technology and information in a way that allows staff and students to make informed decisions in a crisis, remove as many people as possible from the danger zone, and provide realistic training so that those involved in a crisis have a better chance of surviving.
Alert Sound an alarm of the situation at hand and notify the police. Information about the situation should be provided by all means possible through the public address system.
Lockdown Doors should be locked to provide a time barrier and give students and teachers time to recognize and react to the threat. If they are not in the danger zone, they should evacuate as fast as possible.
Inform If possible, keep teachers, students, and police up to date on the shooter’s location.
Counter If in the danger zone and escape is not possible, interrupt the physical act of
shooting. Apply skills to Distract, Confuse, and gain Control. This is a last resort.
Evacuate Get as many people away from the situation as possible.
In no way are we asking our teachers or students to make any attempt to subdue a violent intruder. However, we will provide them with the knowledge to greatly increase their chance of survival in that type of situation. Training will emphasize that the best way to survive an active shooter is to escape. When that is not possible, the focus is on being mentally prepared and having the authority and ability to act in order to save lives.
The A.L.I.C.E. plan will be implemented at all SCSD #1 schools in phases. The first training for teachers is already underway, with training for students to occur in the spring. Training for students in not required, and parents may choose for their students to opt out at any time.
Should you have any questions regarding this training, please feel free to contact our School Resource Officer, Mr. Ryan Day at 307-367-4378.
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