Concerns with security are nothing new for educational institutions, but the massacre in Newtown, Conn. underscores both how important it is to keep people safe from a madman—and how difficult.
"It can happen anytime and anyplace, and it is an issue of national concern," says Kevin Wilkes, vice president and security practice leader at Willis Security Risk Consulting for Willis North America.
Wilkes says educators have done a good job of working to protect students, exercising "due diligence and good security practices."
At the Sandy Hook Elementary School, where an armed man shot his way into the building and took the lives of 20 children and six school administrators, security measures were in place. Doors were locked, and no one was allowed in unless they were recognized and buzzed in.
Without commenting on the Sandy Hook incident itself, Wilkes, a former detective with the Pittsburgh police who also worked with the FBI and U.S. Marshals Service, says there are security best practices that educational institutions need to implement no matter what their size. More importantly, he says, some of these practices should be expanded to other venues such as malls, movie theaters and houses of worship "that are thought to be places of safety and comfort—not places of death and carnage."
Wilkes says that one way to combat violence in a business or institution is to put a workplace-violence program in place. This program should train managers, supervisors and employees on how to respond quickly and decisively. The program also should include how to assess an impending threat.
Jim Smith, director, and Mark Waring, assistant director of risk control services, for Arthur J. Gallagher (AJG) in Florida, say the Sandy Hook School shootings have heightened the concern about security for AJG's clients, and these institutions are now assessing if more needs to be done.
One major focus, says Waring, is standardizing security while at the same time being mindful of budgetary restraints, as most educational institutions have limited resources.
Among some of the security standards Waring says need to be implemented are a single entry point into the school for visitors; proper credentialing of individuals in the school; and response training for a crisis situation.
"You need a well-written plan, but keep it simple," Smith observes. "People need to make decisions quickly in a crisis, and that's why it is important not to make the plan complicated."
Waring says AJG and its clients have taken the initiative and reduced what used to be two- to three-inch-thick binders from years ago to a two- or three-page, color-coded action plan.
Adds Wilkes, "It is unfortunate that we have to have this conversation, but unless those in the risk-management community and those in leadership positions for our schools, businesses and organizations really begin to proactively take steps to minimize this risk—which is coming far too frequently in our places of business, worship and campuses of learning—then we will continue to see these types of [violent incidents]."
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