Standard Response Protocol

Easy to understand. Easy to implement.

A uniform, planned, and practiced response to any incident is the foundation of a safe school. Safe business. Safe community. The SRP is action-based, flexible, and easy to learn. It rationally organizes tactics for response to weather events, fires, accidents, intruders and other threats to personal safety.

The SRP’s development is ever-evolving, created with extensive collaboration between experts such as first responders, public safety, school, districts, and communities. Its tactics are data-driven, researched and based on experience and contemporary practices.

On the Same Page. Everyone.

The benefits of SRP become quickly apparent. By standardizing the vocabulary, all stakeholders can understand the response and status of the event.

For students, this provides continuity of expectations and actions throughout their educational career. For teachers, this becomes a simpler process to train and drill. For communities, it leverages the growing adoption of the protocols from residents of all ages. For first responders, the common vocabulary and protocols establish a greater predictability that persists through the duration of an incident.

People easily understand the practices and can reinforce the protocol. Additionally, this protocol enables rapid response determination when an unforeseen event occurs.

SRP is Action Based

The Standard Response Protocol (SRP) is based on the response to any given situation--not on individual scenarios. Like the Incident Command System (ICS), SRP demands a specific vocabulary but also allows for great flexibility. The premise is simple - these five specific actions that can be performed during an incident. When communicating these, the action is labeled with a "Term of Art" and is then followed by a "Directive." Execution of the action is performed by active participants. Learn more about each of the standard responses below.

Introduction to SRP:

WHAT: Clear the hallways, remain in classrooms, close & lock doors, continue learning

WHY: To keep specific areas clear of people

WHEN:

Medical issues that require privacy or access for emergency personnel
Escalated student in an open space, e.g. hallway

WHO: Building Administrator

WHERE: Part or all of a school campus

HOW: Intercom announcement; follow district procedures

"Hold" vs. "Secure"

During a Hold, the halls are cleared, students remain in their classrooms with their teachers, and business continues as usual.
If people are outside, they remain outside.
A Hold is used when there is a need for the halls to remain empty, meaning the issue is inside the building.

In both a “Hold” and a “Secure,” classroom instruction continues as normal.

WHAT: Return to inside the building; close and lock all exterior and interior doors; remain in classrooms; continue learning

WHY: To keep students in classrooms and in the school facility

WHEN:

Threat outside, on or near the school campus
Police activity in the neighborhood which may escalate
Dangerous animal on campus

WHO: Building Administrator; may be directed by law enforcement

WHERE: All of a school campus

HOW: Intercom announcement; follow district procedures

"Hold" vs. "Secure"

During a Secure, people are brought inside, and all activities inside the school continue as usual but no one will move in or out of the building.
During a Secure, the halls are open and may be utilized by students and staff as needed. People inside the school may not notice any difference in their daily routines during a Secure.
Secure is enacted when a threat or hazard is outside of the school.

WHAT: All adults pull in any students, ensure all doors locked, cover windows, turn out lights, move out of line of sight, remain quiet and wait for instructions

WHY: Imminent threat

WHEN:

Assailant on campus
Intruder or active assailant
Person with a weapon on campus
Escalated adult situation

WHO: Any staff member

WHERE: All of a school campus; neighboring campuses if warranted or directed

HOW: Centegix alert system (badge); lockdown button(s); or intercom announcement

In a Lockdown event:

Law enforcement is automatically notified via Centegix.
Upon arrival, law enforcement takes over Incident Command.
Campus is cleared room by room, under the direction of emergency responders. This process takes considerable time.
As soon as law enforcement determines the threat is neutralized, staff will assist students in contacting their families.