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After full-scale drill at West High, board highlights role of school resource officers
Summary
District leaders described a large-scale active-shooter exercise at West High School, credited Sheriff’s Office, county and city law enforcement, fire, EMS and other agencies, and emphasized the importance of school resource officers (SROs) in response and school safety.
District staff told the Hamblen County Board of Education that a multi-agency active-shooter exercise at West High School last week provided valuable lessons and reinforced the district's emphasis on having school resource officers (SROs) on campus.
‘‘The exercise was quite extensive and offered a great learning experience for everyone that was involved,’’ said Mister Bunche (staff member). He thanked county and city law enforcement, the fire department, EMS, the 9-1-1 center and observers from outside counties for helping to stage the exercise as if it were a real event.
Bunche said one clear lesson was the value of SROs. ‘‘The knowledge of the school, the knowledge of the students and staff, that SRO is invaluable,’’ he told board members, and he thanked the Hamblen County Sheriff, the county commission and the mayor for supporting SRO coverage. Bunche said the district previously had four SROs and now has SRO coverage at all schools.
Board members and staff said they will review after-action findings and apply lessons learned to school emergency plans, working with principals and first responders. The report on the exercise was informational; no formal action or policy change was taken at the meeting.
