Laramie County unveils enhanced school emergency response protocols for student safety

Children's safety took center stage at the recent Laramie County School District 1 meeting, where officials outlined the Standard Response Protocol (SRP) developed by the I Love You Guys Foundation. This initiative aims to provide a clear and unified approach to handling emergencies in schools, ensuring that students, staff, and parents know exactly what to do when crises arise.

The SRP includes several key protocols: Hold, Secure, Lockdown, Evacuate, and Shelter. During a Hold, students remain in their classrooms, and doors are locked while normal activities continue until an all-clear is announced. This protocol is typically activated for behavioral or medical situations.

In a Secure situation, all students return indoors, and outside doors are locked while activities proceed as usual. This is often used when there is police activity nearby. Parents are advised to stay put and await further instructions.

The Lockdown protocol requires students to move out of sight and remain silent, with adults locking doors and keeping hallways clear. Parents are urged not to call the school during this time to avoid creating chaos and hindering emergency responses.

Evacuations involve students leaving belongings behind and following staff to designated safe areas. Parents should refrain from coming to the school until notified, as this can obstruct emergency services.

Finally, Shelter protocols are activated during severe weather or hazardous situations, directing students to take cover or evacuate as necessary. Parents are reminded to stay informed through official channels, as updates may be delayed during emergencies.

The meeting emphasized the importance of communication and preparedness, reinforcing that parents should remain calm and follow instructions to ensure everyone's safety during emergencies.