District 5 Staff Participate in School Safety Session

From Lexington-Richland 5

District Five staff are among the first in the nation to participate in a new school safety and security exercise hosted by the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) in collaboration with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).  This was the first school exercise of its kind in FEMA’s southeast region and was attended by law enforcement officials, first responders and public safety observers from agencies throughout the state. 

The exercise was held at Chapin Elementary School over a two-day period and focused on active shooter response and recovery at the school.  FEMA officials say the exercise, which included scenarios and questions, is designed to help schools increase student safety, improve school response plans, and create new contacts and relationships with local emergency teams.

District Five officials and Chapin Elementary teachers and administration participated in the table-top discussion with FEMA experts, sharing details about emergency plans and receiving recommendations from the state, federal and local public safety officials.  The local agencies that participated included: the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, the Chapin Police Department, Lexington Fire Department, EMS, Emergency Management Departments, and the Lexington Medical Center.  Also participating were officials from the SC Emergency Management Division (SC EMD).

Chapin Elementary Principal Harriet Wilson said, “The active shooter table-top exercise enabled Chapin Elementary to scrutinize our safety and security plans.  The feedback provided specific recommendations which will enhance our plans and ensure the safety of our students and staff.  We are proud to be the first school in the state of South Carolina to work with FEMA and SLED on this type of exercise.” 

District Five Security Specialist Michael Poole said, “The exercise better prepares us for any emergency and improves our working relationships with local public safety and first responder agencies. The entire process was aimed directly at improving safety for our children, which results in safer schools and communities.”

District Five’s participation in the SLED hosted FEMA exercise on Sept. 13 and Sept. 16 is just one of the steps the district is taking to bolster student safety measures.  School officials in partnership with law enforcement active-shooter experts held a training exercise this summer that included active-shooter mock scenarios along with other mock emergencies.  Each year, a complete security review is conducted district-wide to identify and address security concerns.  This year, the district added additional school resource officers (SROs) through a partnership with the Lexington and Richland County Sheriff’s Departments. All but two district schools currently have a dedicated SRO. SROs for the remaining two schools are anticipated to be in place in the next few weeks. 

District Superintendent Dr. Stephen Hefner said, “We are constantly looking for ways to make our schools more safe and secure. Thanks to our School Board for their support and to all our law enforcement and first responder partners.  We have a great team working on school safety.”