PTS shifts to innovative response protocol

 

December 11, 2024

The Phoenix-Talent School District is committed to ensuring the safety of our students, staff, and community. We are proud to announce the implementation of the "I Love U Guys" Standard Response Protocol (SRP), a comprehensive approach to emergency preparedness that will strengthen our district's safety measures.

What is the Standard Response Protocol?

The SRP is a strategic, flexible framework designed to provide a consistent and rational approach to responding to emergencies. Unlike traditional emergency plans that focus on specific scenarios, this protocol offers a universal system that can be applied to a wide range of potential incidents, from severe weather to safety threats.

Key Benefits of the Standard Response Protocol

Our district has carefully selected this protocol because it offers numerous advantages:

• Unified Communication: The SRP establishes a common vocabulary that ensures clear, quick communication during emergencies. Students, staff, and first responders will all understand and follow the same standardized instructions.
• Flexibility and Adaptability: The protocol is designed to be adaptable to various situations, allowing for rapid and appropriate responses to unforeseen events.
• Continuous Learning: Developed through collaboration with experts including first responders, public safety professionals, and education specialists, the SRP represents best practices in emergency preparedness.

Understanding the Five Core Actions

The SRP centers on five key actions, each with a specific "Term of Art" (see the picture above) and accompanying directive:

1. Hold: Directive – "In Your Room or Area" Keeps hallways clear and maintains order during certain situations.
2. Secure: Directive – "Get Inside. Lock Outside Doors" Safeguards individuals within the building by controlling external access.
3. Lockdown: Directive – "Locks, Lights, Out of Sight" Secures individual rooms and ensures occupants remain quiet and hidden.
4. Evacuate: Followed by a specific location Moves people from one location to another, either within or outside the building.
5. Shelter: Specifies the Hazard and Safety Strategy Provides protective measures for group and individual safety.

What This Means for Our School Community

By shifting to the Standard Response Protocol, PTS is:

• Providing consistent safety training for students throughout their educational journey
• Simplifying emergency preparedness for teachers and staff
• Aligning our practices with those used by local emergency responders
• Creating a more predictable and coordinated response to potential incidents

Moving Forward

We have already begun conducting training sessions for staff and introducing age-appropriate educational programs for students to familiarize everyone with the new protocol.

We believe that by working together and staying prepared, we can create a safer learning environment for everyone in our school community.

For more information about the Standard Response Protocol, please check out our SRP webpage by clicking here.