I stumbled across an article from Schools Week, a publication registered in England and Wales with primary offices in London. It was published just yesterday and it is entitled “Schools told to consider lockdown protocols to counter terrorist attacks”.
The Department for Education (DfE) in England has launched a new school guidelines program focusing on security measures to take which include potential terrorist attacks. It warns that schools can not afford “..to ignore the potential threat and impact of security issues”.
It is not a law, but still is a rather strong recommendation to work with police and other security experts on plans for schools. The guidelines also recommend that school staff should get proper security training to deal with potential threats.
Advice ranges from developing lockdown procedures for emergencies including in building as well as building evacuation plans to minimizing direct access to buildings. Using vehicles as a weapon is one of the most likely events noted in a terrorist attack.
The guidelines therefore include recommendations to use speed bumps and perimeter security barriers to guard against the use of vehicles in such terrorist attacks. From our experience, this most likely means incorporating perimeter security bollards.
Other suggestions include screening of all personnel and visitors entering the building as well as installing audible alert systems to notify people directly. Additional steps are recommended to deter other types of criminal activity. How to address the aftermath of an incident and ‘restoring normality’ are also covered.
Lockdowns themselves typically attempt to contain or restrict the progress of a situation. When the word is mentioned, I typically think of a prison lockdown meant to keep convicts from escaping. On a school campus doors are typically locked and no one can enter or exit the building, including parents.
These philosophies are similar to the preventative measures to counter terrorism embraced here at ECI. We invite you to contact ECI at 847.949.0134 for a confidential security assessment of your facility. Or click below for direct contact information.
