Implementing PASS (Partner Alliance for Safer Schools) guidelines enhances school security by establishing comprehensive, evidence-based standards and best practices. Find out how by watching Parabit's step by step video.
The Partner Alliance for Safer Schools (PASS) provides comprehensive safety and security guidelines for K-12 schools. These guidelines are designed to help schools create safer learning environments. Here’s a summary of the key components of the PASS guidelines:
1. Foundational Elements
• Policy and Procedure Development: Establish clear policies and procedures for emergency management, visitor management, and student supervision.
• Team Building: Form a multidisciplinary safety team including administrators, teachers, law enforcement, and mental health professionals.
• Training and Drills: Regularly conduct training and drills for staff and students on emergency response procedures.
2. People and Processes
• Behavioral Threat Assessment: Implement processes to identify and address potential threats posed by students, staff, or visitors.
• Mental Health Support: Provide access to mental health resources and support services for students and staff.
• Access Control: Develop procedures for controlling access to school buildings and grounds.
3. Physical Security Measures
• Perimeter Security: Secure the perimeter of the school with fencing, gates, and signage.
• Entry Control: Use controlled entry points with access control systems and visitor management procedures.
• Surveillance: Install and maintain video surveillance systems to monitor key areas within and around the school.
• Communication Systems: Ensure effective communication systems are in place for emergency notification and coordination.
4. Technology Solutions
• Alarm Systems: Install intrusion detection and alarm systems to alert authorities of unauthorized access or emergencies.
• Emergency Notification: Utilize mass notification systems to quickly disseminate information to staff, students, and parents.
• Data Integration: Integrate various security technologies (e.g., access control, surveillance) into a cohesive system for better situational awareness.
5. Response and Recovery
• Crisis Management Plan: Develop and regularly update a crisis management plan detailing specific actions to take during various emergencies.
• Incident Response: Establish clear protocols for responding to incidents, including roles and responsibilities of staff.
• Recovery Planning: Plan for post-incident recovery, including mental health support and communication strategies.
Implementation Tiers
PASS guidelines are structured into four tiers, each representing a different level of security measures:
• Tier 1: Basic security measures that every school should have.
• Tier 2: Intermediate measures that provide enhanced security.
• Tier 3: Advanced measures for schools needing higher levels of security.
• Tier 4: Maximum security measures for schools with significant risk factors or specific security needs.
Best Practices
• Regular Assessments: Conduct regular security assessments to identify and address vulnerabilities.
• Collaboration: Collaborate with local law enforcement and emergency responders to ensure coordinated efforts during emergencies.
• Community Involvement: Engage parents and community members in safety initiatives to create a culture of security.
Benefits
• Improved Safety: Enhanced protection for students, staff, and visitors.
• Preparedness: Better preparedness for emergencies through comprehensive planning and training.
• Peace of Mind: Increased peace of mind for parents and the community regarding school safety.
Additional Components
1. Layered Security Approach:
• District Perimeter: Policies and measures to secure the outer boundaries of the school district.
• Property Perimeter: Strategies for securing the school property itself, including fencing and surveillance.
• Parking Lot Perimeter: Security measures for parking lots to monitor and control access.
• Building Perimeter: Ensuring the school building is secure through access control and surveillance.
• Classroom/Interior Perimeter: Classroom security measures, including door hardware and emergency protocols.
2. Focus Areas
• Access Control: Implementing modern, code-compliant door hardware and electronic access control systems.
• Video Surveillance: Using surveillance technologies to monitor school premises effectively.
• Emergency Communications: Enhancing communication systems for better emergency response.
• Policies and Training: Establishing comprehensive policies and providing training for staff and students.
3. Emerging Technologies
• The guidelines include a section on newer technologies such as weapons detection systems, advanced analytics, and biometric identification, which may significantly improve school safety but are not yet widely adopted.
4. Resources and Tools
• PASS provides a school safety and security checklist to help schools assess their current security measures and identify areas for improvement. The guidelines and checklist are available for free on the PASS website.
Email sales@parabit.com to learn more.
Partner Alliance for Safer Schools. “PASS Safety and Security Guidelines for K-12 Schools.” PASS K-12, 2024, https://passk12.org/guidelines-resources/. Accessed 11 July 2024.
Video Transcript:
As we gear up for the new school year, the foremost concern for everyone is clear, ensuring the security and safety of students and staff.
Following past guidelines is key to implementing a safe and secure school environment. A layered security approach starts with securing your campus perimeter through comprehensive policies and measures.
Strategies to secure your school property, including surveillance, are implemented.
Unique security measures in parking lots help monitor and control access effectively and improve law enforcement investigations.
Ensuring the building perimeter is secure through current access control, surveillance and analytics is crucial.
Classroom security measures include upgraded doors and door lock hardware and well practiced emergency protocols.
Focus on access control by implementing modern, code compliant doors, door hardware, and electronic security systems with event analytics and supervision. Utilize video surveillance technologies to effectively analyze and monitor school premises.
Enhance and test daily communication systems for reliable emergency response, protection, and coordination.
The guidelines also explore emerging technologies such as weapons detection, advanced analytics, and biometric identification, which provides significant improvements in school safety. PASS offers a free school safety and security checklist to help schools assess their current security and response measures, and identify areas for improvement.
These resources are readily available on the past website.
By following the past guidelines, schools can create a safer, more secure environment for students and staff alike.
Visit the pass website for more information and resources.
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