In recognition of School Safety Week, attention is being drawn to the Standard Response Protocols (SRPs) employed by campus administrators and the Austin ISD police to ensure student safety. These protocols include five types: Hold, Secure, Lockdown, Evacuate, and Shelter.
A "Hold" requires staff and students to remain in their current locations while continuing usual activities. This protocol is typically used to clear hallways during medical emergencies or physical altercations. For instance, "Earlier today our campus was placed on a Hold for approximately 30 minutes because of a medical emergency."
The "Secure" protocol is activated when there is an external threat. It involves bringing everyone inside, locking outside doors, and maintaining regular indoor activities. An example provided states: "Today our campus went into Secure for approximately eight minutes while police investigated a report of suspicious activity in the community."
During a "Lockdown," individuals must stay behind locked doors with lights off, remaining quiet and out of sight due to an internal threat. A typical message might read: "[School] is in Lockdown due to a report of an armed person on campus."
An "Evacuation" entails quickly exiting the building safely. For example: "This morning, our school was evacuated for about 10 minutes because a fire alarm sounded."
The "Shelter" protocol is used for emergencies like hazardous material incidents or severe weather conditions such as tornadoes. It requires seeking shelter in designated safe areas within the building.
Regular drills are conducted with students and staff to prepare for potential critical incidents. While these situations can be alarming, understanding these protocols is essential for all staff and families.
For more information about these protocols, individuals are encouraged to visit the appropriate website.