Alder staff to train for crisis

By Jane Beathard

Staff Writer

As the national conversation about guns, schools and student safety continues, administrators at Jonathan Alder Local Schools are training staff members in ways to prevent a Newtown, Connecticut-type shooting.

Gary Sigrist, of Impact America, provided enhanced lockdown training at each of the district’s five buildings this week for teachers, support staff and local emergency responders. Impact America is a crisis management and training organization serving schools, businesses and communities throughout the country.

“The Jonathan Alder district continues to take proactive steps in the critical area of school safety,” a press release said.

The district partnered with the Madison and Union County Sheriffs Offices, the Plain City Police Department and the Pleasant Valley Fire Department for training seminars. Each agency has a current copy of the district’s safety plan, as well as floor plans of each building.

Impact America training focuses on five objectives:

• Identifying characteristics of an active shooter

• Understanding law enforcement response to an active shooter

• Enhancing current Alder lockdown plans

• Understanding how threat assessments reduce the chance of school violence

• Strategizing on ways to improve safety and security in Alder schools

“The district is extremely grateful for the partnership with local first responders and Mr. Sigrist in their willingness to help ensure the safety of all our students,” the press release concluded.