East Haven Schools Adopts ALICE: Active Shooter Preparedness Program

East Haven CT

25 May, 2022

9:17 AM

Description

EAST HAVEN, CT — Last month, the school district, police, and departments announced the adoption of a new "crisis response strategy" for school lockdowns and evacuations called ALICE. Created in 2000 by a Texas law enforcement officer and his wife, a school principal, the program was created so in the event of a school shooting or similar violent crisis, school administrators are prepared while waiting for the cops to arrive. The idea is to "empower" schools, the community "with the skills and knowledge to respond when shots are fired," the ALICE website reads. "If the police cannot be there in time to help, the next best thing is to prepare." ALICE stands for Alert, "Alert is your first notification of danger." Lockdown, "Barricade the room. Prepare to evacuate or counter, if needed. Inform, Communicate the violent intruder's location and direction in real time. Counter, Create noise, movement, distance, and distraction with the intent of reducing the shooter's ability to shoot accurately. Counter is NOT fighting. Evacuate. When safe to do so, remove yourself from the danger zone. In sharing the adoption of the program with families, schools, cops and fire/first responders noted, "ALICE offers a different philosophy in light of increased school violence. " "The philosophy of ALICE is to use technology and information in a way so that staff and students can make informed decisions in a crisis, distance from the danger zone, and provide realistic training," it reads, "So that those involved in a crisis have a better chance of surviving." ALICE will be implemented in the district with age-appropriate, kid-friendly language and be tailored specifically to each grade level. All schools will receive training from the East Haven Police Department, East Haven Fire Department and from certified ALICE instructors. The first training of students will take place at the end of the school year and resume in the fall. Drills and practice will follow after all the students are trained. Ensuring you are knowledgeable and have a good understanding of ALICE will be vital for the program to be successful. Therefore, the district will be holding ALICE presentations and Q&A sessions for all EHPS parents and families on the following nights: All sessions will be held in the East Haven High School Media Center.Keeping our students, staff, and schools safe is our first priority. Please make an effort to attend this very important and informative meeting to learn more and ask questions. If you are unable to attend the session for your child's grade or you have more than one child in EHPS, you are welcome to attend any of the above.In partnership,Erica Forti, SuperintendentChief Marcarelli, EHFDChief Lennon, EHPD