Proactive School Security and Emergency Preparedness Planning

"The information in this landmark book will reduce school violence and save lives. I recommend it with the highest possible praise." —Scott Poland, Associate Professor and Coordinator of Suicide and Violence Prevention Nova Southeastern University Center for Psychological Studies An all-in-one resource for keeping students safe As concern about school safety continues to escalate, the need for heightened school security has never been more urgent. Educators want practical, cost-effective school safety strategies that come from credible sources and can be implemented quickly. Author Kenneth S. Trump has dedicated his career to making schools safer, and he delivers solutions in a concise and straightforward manner. The book begins with an overview of school security and the politics surrounding it, then provides nuts-and-bolts strategies for preventing violence and preparing for crises. The text covers today′s hot topics such as: Bullying, cyberbullying, and harassment After-school, transportation, and athletic event security Managing media and parent communications on safety and crises Practical, cost-effective security and preparedness within tight budgets Although school security can be an emotionally charged subject, this book stresses the importance of collecting data and acting rationally. Included are ideas for working with community leaders, police, parents, businesses, and political officials to improve school and community safety and security. The author′s companion website keeps readers current with breaking news, free resources, and interactive dialogue on the latest developments in the school safety field.

Table of Contents:
Disclaimer and Legal Notices Foreword by Dr. Scott Poland Preface About the Author I. Understanding and Managing School Safety 1. The Evolving Threats to School Security The School Security Threat Continuum Internal and External Threats to School Safety Assessing Threats and Prioritizing Risk Reduction Roller Coaster Awareness, Policy, and Funding: The Biggest Ongoing Threat to School Safety 2. The "Politricks" of School Security Denial, Image, and Underreporting Awkward Circumstances Encourage Downplaying of School Safety Reality, Not Rhetoric 3. Comprehensive School Safety Planning and Leadership School Safety as a Leadership Issue Getting on the Same Page Overcoming Denial Financial Obstacles School Safety as a Public Relations Tool Community Ownership Tools for Balance Risk Reduction Framework II. Proactive School Security: Focusing on Fundamentals 4. School Security Assessments Assessment Definition and Use Assessment Expectations, Best Practices, and Levels Who Should Assess Avoiding a Template Approach to School Security Assessments Focus Assessments on More Than Hardware and Manpower Evaluation Methods and Identifying Policy-Practice Disconnects Areas That May Be Evaluated in a School Security Assessment Benefits of Assessing 5. School Security Strategies and Issues Administration Building, Board Meeting, and Support Site Security Adult-Originated Violence After-Hours School Security: Activities and Community Use of Schools Arming Teachers and School Staff Athletic and Large Event Security Bomb Threats and Suspicious Devices Cell Phones, Camera Phones, and Text Messaging Computer Security Measures Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design Drug-Sniffing Dogs Election Day Security Elementary School Security and Aggression by Younger Students Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act and School Safety Gangs Hotlines and Other Anonymous Reporting Lockers and Bookbags Personal Safety Personnel and Internal Security Physical Security Private, Independent, and Charter Schools Probation Officers in Schools School Resource Officers, School Police Departments, and School Security Departments School Security Equipment: Metal Detectors, Cameras, and Other Technology Sex Offenses Student Involvement in School Safety Planning Student Searches Special Education and School Safety Suicide Tasers and School-Based Police Officers Theft Training Staff on School Security and Emergency Preparedness Transportation Security Trespassing Truancy Uniforms and Dress Codes Vandalism Zero Tolerance and School Discipline 6. Managing Bullying: Focusing on Supervision, Conduct Codes, School Climate, and Mental Health Strategies Defining Bullying Bullying: One Threat on a Broad Threat Continuum The Mythical Attribution of Bullying as the Cause of School Shootings Bullycide, the Media, and the Contagion Effect Practical Anti-Bullying Strategies: Supervision, Security, Discipline, and Criminal Law School Climate Strategies Mental Health Support for Students Cyberbullying and Sexting Anti-Bullying Communication Strategies Political Hijacking of Bullying for Broader Social and Political Interests The Case Against Anti-Bullying Laws 7. Preparing Schools for Terrorism The Terrorist Threat to Schools: Soft Targets Domestic vs. International Terrorism Overcoming the Denial, Fear, Politics, and Naysayers Heightened Security Procedures for Schools Biological and Chemical Threats General Considerations in Times of Terrorism and War 8. Managing School Safety on Tight Budgets Practical School Safety Considerations on Limited Budgets Budgeting for School Safety, Security, and Emergency Preparedness Low-Cost and No-Cost School Safety Strategies 9. Parents and School Safety Practical Things Parents Can Do to Assess School Security and Emergency Preparedness How Parents Can Reduce Child Safety Risks at Home Steps Parents Can Take to Address School Safety Concerns III. Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools 10. Early Warning Signs of Violence Concerns and Caveats Checklists and Gurus We Are Federal Agents and We Are Here to Help You Early Warning, Timely Response Frontline Observations Prevention, Intervention, and Treatment Issues Another Call for Common Sense 11. Assessing and Managing Threats Threat Assessment Protocol Limitations 12. Lessons Learned From School Crisis Incidents Be Prepared, Not Scared Priority One: Emergency Preparedness Prevention: An Equal Priority Deal With Small Problems School Climate Overcoming Student Denial A Switch From Snitch Listen to Kids and Parents Rely on Local Data Why Suburban White Kids Kill Train Emergency Service Personnel Thinking Security When There Is Not a Crisis Buyer Beware: Overnight Experts, Gurus, and Gadgets 13. Emergency Preparedness Planning and Preparation Four Phases of Emergency Management Normalization Nonsense The Process Emergency Guideline Documents The Preparation Pulling It All Together 14. Emergency Response and Crisis Management Emergency Response: The First Half Hour Roles and Responsibilities Specific Considerations for Before, During, and After the Emergency Service Personnel Response 15. The Postcrisis Crisis: Managing Media and Parent Communications Managing Cell Phones, Text Messaging, and Social Media Developing Your Message: Parent Expectations After a Safety Incident An Inside Look at The Business Side of Today′s Media Traditional School District Parent and Media Management: It Doesn′t Work Today Getting Out Front on School Safety Communications Media Crisis Communications Guidelines Crisis Credibility and Reputation Management Lessons for the Media on Covering Ongoing Crises 16. Preparing for the Postcrisis Crisis: Managing Mental Health, Security, Financial, Operational Continuity, Liability, and School-Community Political Issues Mental Health Support for Grief and Healing Security and Emergency Preparedness Postcrisis Demands Financial and Continuity Of Operations Plans for Crisis Response and Recovery Litigation Preparedness School-Community Postcrisis Politics IV. Future Directions 17. State, Federal, and Academic Support for School Safety State-Level Strategies The Federal Role Colleges of Education Where to Now? References Recommended Readings Index

About the Author :
Kenneth S. Trump, M.P.A., is the President of National School Safety and Security Services, a Cleveland-based national firm specializing in school security and emergency preparedness training and consulting. He has over 25 years experience in the school safety profession and, has advised school and public safety officials from all 50 states and internationally. Ken served as a school safety officer, investigator, and youth gang unit supervisor for the Cleveland City Schools′ safety division. He also served as a suburban Cleveland school security director and assistant gang task force director on a federal-funded anti-gang initiative.

Review :
“Ken Trump′s book outlines what he has demonstrated throughout his career: How schools can collaborate with law enforcement, emergency management, and mental health professionals for better crisis planning. I believe many of the incidents of school crises could have been, and should have been, prevented. The information in this landmark book will reduce school violence and save lives. I recommend it with the highest possible praise.” "This book is invaluable to education and safety leaders working daily on the front-lines to provide the safest, most secure learning environment possible in their schools. It is the next best thing to having Kenneth Trump working in your school district." "Definitely a must-have desk reference for school principals. Ken offers need-to-know, practical school safety and emergency preparedness strategies not taught in “Principalship 101”!   "Ken is the #1 authority on school safety issues surrounding the educational community." "Ken Trump is the preeminent national authority on school safety and emergency preparedness planning, but he also thinks like a school administrator. In this book, Ken offers a comprehensive list of practical solutions to a myriad of issues that impact school personnel’s attempts to improve school safety and emergency preparedness. This book does not belong on a bookshelf. It belongs on the desk of every school administrator and teacher for immediate and frequent access." "This book is a comprehensive guide for anyone interested in ensuring that our schools are safe learning environments and that they are prepared to deal with any unexpected crises. The author is a highly experienced and respected expert in school safety and security, with decades of practical experience in schools throughout the country." "There is no concern more chilling to school board members and superintendents than any issue related to school safety. This book uniquely captures current best practices in school safety and security that Ken Trump helped our school district and community implement over an 18-month period. The comprehensive consideration of school safety from the perspective of the leading national expert make this book an indispensable reference for school leaders at all levels." "Proactive School Security and Emergency Preparedness Planning is a priceless resource, especially for administrators expected to create and maintain safe learning environments. No other single volume provides a more comprehensive, relevant, and accurate guide for planning and practice." "Ken Trump has established himself as a leading advocate for school safety and security. This book raises the bar to a new level. This comprehensive, thoughtful and practical work will be used for years to come by those of us who are responsible for crisis planning and management within our school districts." "We had the advantage of working directly with Ken and had immediate access to his wealth of knowledge on school safety. Having a book by him as a resource would be the next best thing." "Finally, a comprehensive and common sense approach to school safety with practical nuts and bolts answers. Ken′s book is a must read for every school safety leader in this country regardless of their level of experience or expertise. It is the kind of book one will use as a reference book time and time again." "Ken Trump has written the perfect follow-up to his last book, which dealt with how schools can prevent and manage school crises. Both books should be mandatory reading for principals and superintendents. The reader may expect honest, straightforward, and useful information and concepts." "Every educator responsible for the safety and well being of students need to learn from this practical and comprehensive resource from Ken Trump. Ken’s experience provides the reader with the critical steps to take in preventing, managing, and dealing with the aftermath of a crisis. Much of his advice deals with building relationships with school, community, and government officials - a key element in crisis communications that is often overlooked until it is too late. Superintendents need to put this book on their principals’ reading list and discuss changes for their school districts." “Ken Trump is a tremendously valuable resource in terms of security planning and best practices in keeping our students and faculty safe. His expertise and exceptionally thoughtful grasp of the way schools work make him an outstanding consultant for both private and public schools, and I recommend his book most enthusiastically.” "The book addresses the history of school safety, the complex and controversial realities of today, and considerations for the future. It is simply the best investment you can make to help keep your kids safe and healthy so that they can learn more and live better." "The emphasis on collecting data and working with community leaders and parents fills this book with practical assessments of common problems and solutions." In Proactive School Security and Emergency Preparedness Planning, Ken Trump has done a masterful job of providing an extensive and practical description of what schools need to do to help their students, staff, and campuses be safe, secure, and prepared for a wide variety of emergencies. An international expert in this area, Trump addresses such critical topics as school safety planning and leadership, school security strategies and procedures, and emergency readiness and planning. But he does this by providing the step-by-step check-lists that schools need to identify the “early warning signals” that can prevent many threats from becoming crises, and the “intervention and response” protocols that resolve and debrief these crises if they do occur. This is an essential guide for any district or school that wants to comprehensively evaluate its prevention and response system in the multifaceted areas related to school safety. The knowledge and experience reflected in this book will be relevant and should be heeded for many years to come.