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Recently, the Hazelwood School District held a successful training entitled Safety Workshop for Administrators at the HSD Learning Center. The St. Louis County Police Tactical Operations Unit led the training.

The safety workshop included information on the ALICE program, which stands for alert, lockdown, inform, counter and evacuate. ALICE training teaches that finding a safe escape route or disabling a dangerous intruder when practical can be more effective in preventing massive casualties. This training teaches that assessing a situation correctly and responding appropriately is the most effective way to save lives.

During the workshop, HSD administrators also reviewed the revised Emergency Intruder Procedures and HSD’s School Emergency Operations Manual. Participants also engaged in table-top exercises on various emergency scenarios. Members of the Hazelwood Board of Education also participated in the training.

“We have worked diligently to update our safety procedures and practices over the past month,” said Julia Burke-Thorpe, HSD assistant superintendent, student services.

“As a result, we have revised our Emergency Intruder Procedures, as well as our School Emergency Operations Manual. This work has been a collaborative effort with our local police departments and fire protection districts,” said Thorpe.

“The Safety Workshop for Administrators was an effective training. I would like to thank members of the St. Louis County Police Tactical Operations Unit for leading the training, along with Florissant and Hazelwood police departments, for their support,” she said.

“I’m glad that we were able to host such an effective training for our administrators. I am also delighted that members from our Board were able to participate. Overall, the workshop was a tremendous success.

“Safety is our No. #1 priority. We have the safety and best interests of our students in mind at all times and this is just another measure to ensure that we are doing all that we can to equip our staff with the knowledge required to protect our children,” said Thorpe.