New Jersey Education Association: Demonstrating School Emergency Preparedness Leadership

The inaugural New Jersey Education Association (NJEA) School Emergency Preparedness Conference was held Saturday, October 24, 2009 at the Heldrich Hotel in New Brunswick, New Jersey, thanks to the hard work of the NJEA School Emergency Task Force under the leadership of its Chairperson Joseph Coppola.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Coppola expressed the importance of emergency preparedness because it has a direct impact on the health, safety and welfare of schools and communities. Barbara Keshishian, President of the NJEA, congratulated the task force and expressed enthusiasm for future emergency preparedness initiatives. Bergen County Sheriff Leo McGuire, whose leadership has been instrumental in numerous school safety initiatives, also addressed the attendees and affirmed the importance of their roles in safeguarding students.

As the keynote speaker for the event, I was privileged to present a 2½ hour program titled Transforming Our Schools: The Heart and Brick of School Security to educators, educational support professionals and law enforcement officials from throughout the state.

A portion of the program was developed in response to a directive of the State of New Jersey Department of Education Commissioner as stated in an October 22, 2007 memo:

"Each school district, in accordance with N.J.A.C. 6A:16-5.1, must develop and implement plans, procedures and mechanisms that provide for the safety and security of the district’s schools. The plans must be developed in consultation with law enforcement agencies and be consistent with the format and content established by the Commissioner of Education. Additionally, an annual review and update, as appropriate, are required. Therefore, within 45 days of this memorandum, each district is required to use these procedures as a model to revise, as needed, its existing procedures."

The dedication and commitment of the participants was evident from their enthusiastic interaction throughout the day. Attendees addressed their concerns on emergency preparedness issues and the need for developing an ongoing school safety training curriculum. Each attendee received a copy of my newest book; Listen To Their Cries: Calling the Nation to Renewal from Columbine to Virginia Tech, as sponsored by the NJEA.

The NJEA is to be commended for proactive approach to school emergency preparedness and encouraged to collaborate with schools, law enforcement agencies, government and educational associations on follow up safe school initiatives and compliance issues.

READ MORE

New Jersey Education Association	Click here to visit site
NJDOE—Keeping Kids Safe, Safe Schools Policy and Guidance	Click here to visit site
PRACTICAL INFORMATION ON CRISIS PLANNING: A GUIDE FOR SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES	Click here to visit site
Early Warning, Timely Response: A Guide to Safe Schools	Click here to visit site
Safeguarding Our Children: An Action Guide	Click here to visit site
THE FINAL REPORT AND FINDINGS OF THE SAFE SCHOOL INITIATIVE: IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PREVENTION OF SCHOOL ATTACKS IN THE UNITED STATES	Click here to visit site
USDOE—Character Education and Civic Engagement Technical Assistance Center	Click here to visit site
THREAT ASSESSMENT IN SCHOOLS: A GUIDE TO MANAGING THREATENING SITUATIONS AND TO CREATING SAFE SCHOOL CLIMATES	Click here to visit site