RFPs identify business opportunities, but they are also a neglected primary source for research on k-12 policy and operations. From Monday’s issue of K-12Leads and Youth Service Markets Report
Announcement: Active Shooter For Schools Training Due August 5 (Jul 10) Missouri Department Of Public Safety, State Emergency Management Agency
Their Description: The contractor shall conduct Active Shooter for Schools training for the Missouri State Emergency Management Agency (hereinafter referred to as the state agency)....The mission statement of SEMA is.... “to protect the lives and property of all Missourians when major disasters threaten public safety....” Manmade disasters... may include... incidents of terrorism.... SEMA currently provides an extensive array of emergency management training opportunities for State and local emergency managers, public officials, members of volunteer relief organizations, and professionals in related fields to be prepared and able to cope should an emergency situation arise.
The contractor shall conduct Active Shooter for Schools training for selected law enforcement personnel and school officials at the state and local level. The contractor’s training shall include, at a minimum, the following:
a. Four Hours of Classroom Instruction. The classroom instruction shall be presented using power point type presentation. The participants for the classroom instruction shall include both law enforcement personnel and school officials. The classroom instruction shall include:
1) An overview of the history of school violence with an emphasis on why the Active Shooter for Schools training is important to the participants.
2) The current methods and law enforcement response procedures and priorities for school based active shooter situations with particular emphasis on rapid entry tactics designed to effectively neutralize an active shooter(s).
3) The effects of stress both during and following an active shooting event in a school.
4) Relevant laws concerning the use of force.
5) Building entry preparation, tactics, and execution.
b. Four Hours of Practical Exercise - The practical exercise shall focus on tactical building entry and clearing tactics. The participants for the practical exercise shall include law enforcement personnel.
Although not the target audience, the contractor should encourage school officials, if available, to observe and interact during the practical exercise portion of the training....
The contractor shall market the Active Shooter for Schools training by targeting local law enforcement jurisdictions and school districts. The contractor’s marketing efforts should inform the local law enforcement jurisdictions and school districts of course specifics, benefits, and potential for improving public safety. The contractor should market the training through traditional marketing methods.... subject to the approval of the state agency.
The contractor’s Project Director should have law enforcement experience as well as experience in training program management to include curricula development, personnel management, training evaluation and quality assurance, and training logistical support for multiple or simultaneous course deliveries.
My Thoughts: Back in my national security days, I had a fair amount of contact with domestic emergency agency activities to deal with catastrophic situations. After some 15 years working k-12 education issues, very little frightens me as much as the application of traditional facility security planning and thinking to public schools. See here.
