Local school district ready in case of emergency - WICU12/WSEE Erie, PA News, Sports, Weather and Events

Local school district ready in case of emergency

Its a situation that no parent or school district ever wants to face.  But Toledo Public School leaders say Friday's horrific mass shooting is a tragic reminder that no matter what, they have to be prepared.

"Anytime you hear of a tragedy such as this, it really hits your heart," Brian Murphy, TPS Assistant Superintendent said.

He, along with neighboring school districts are trying to make sense of the tragedy at Newtown Elementary school.  He's also using it as an opportunity to review the schools security plans to make sure they're up to par.

"We constantly do that," he said.  "We're going to continue to do that and go back, sit down and see if there are things that we can do and things we can learn from the situation and move forward."

TPS has many measures in place to secure its buildings.  Each year, principals go through training, preparing them for emergencies.  Schools also lay out crisis plans that include lock down procedures for all the students.  On top of that, every door is always lock and visitors must check in at the office.

"We want to make sure that security and our student safety is a number one priority," Murphy told 13abc.

The Oregon School district has also taken necessary steps, just in case.  Its called the Alice Program and it stands for Alert, Lock down, Inform, Counter and Evacuate.  Three years ago, teachers were trained on how to protect students if a gunman was ever in the building.  Essentially, teachers keep everyday items in the classroom that could help in an emergency.

"I hope we never have a situation that we have to put this into practice," Oregon teacher, Marcia Punsalan said.  "I think if it should ever come to that, I will be more prepared than some simply because of my years of wisdom, but also because I don't have to be afraid that I will be breaking a law."