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Richland 2 renames security office, highlights Syntegix emergency system and winter response work
Summary
District safety leaders described a retitling of the security department to the Office of Safety and Emergency Services, responsibilities of the office, upgraded radios and the Syntegix emergency notification system, and their winter weather staffing and response practices.
The Office of Safety and Emergency Services told the Richland School District Two board on Jan. 28 that the department had been retitled from “security” to better reflect its range of duties and partnerships, cited recent technology upgrades and described its role in weather response and reunification planning.
“We have been retitled. We were previously known as the security department… the office is now the Office of Safety and Emergency Services,” said Mark Claxton, the district’s safety director, adding that the staff are “safety assistants” and supervisors have revised job titles to reflect non‑military supervisory structures.
Claxton outlined the office’s responsibilities: district and school‑level emergency plans, reunification planning and training, fire- and safety‑compliance liaison duties, distribution and maintenance of upgraded two‑way radios, camera-system oversight, operation of a 24/7 dispatch function, event and athletic support, and coordination with Richland County Sheriff’s Office and the South Carolina Emergency Management Division.
Claxton noted the district’s Syntegix emergency notification system, which the district acquired and which he described as “a very helpful and valuable tool” that integrates with 911 and gives valuable seconds in higher-level emergency alerts. He said Richland 2 serves as a Syntegix “lighthouse” district in South Carolina, citing its early adoption and ongoing work to integrate notification and camera systems.
The office also described winter-weather operations. Claxton and board members said safety staff and supervisors — and, when needed, executive managers — are deployed to check facilities and roads, coordinate with operations and maintenance on salted walkways and parking areas, and provide ongoing coverage during severe-weather events. Claxton said the office uses multiple weather-information sources and that the emergency-services manager monitors conditions.
Board members asked about staff safety and call-out protocols. Claxton said training, preparation and managerial backup protect staff; managers and supervisors also respond as needed and coverage is maintained 24/7 even in severe weather.
Ending: the board thanked the office for its work during recent winter weather and for ongoing safety planning and partnerships with law enforcement and emergency‑management agencies.
