N.H. gov announces task force to enhance school security statewide

Governor Chris Sunun ... establishes task force to address school security issues. (Courtesy photo)

CONCORD - Governor Chris Sununu, along with heads of the New Hampshire Director of Homeland Security and Department of Education Commissioner today announced the formation of the Governor's School Safety Preparedness Taskforce, charged with developing stronger safety protocols for New Hampshire's schools.

The taskforce will be composed of state leaders, representatives from law enforcement and schools, and local officials. They will meet regularly to ensure that New Hampshire's schools are the safest in the nation.

These efforts will run alongside the new Public School Infrastructure Fund, which is investing nearly $20 million in state funds directly to communities by making long overdue infrastructure and security upgrades. Some $16 million has already been allocated to schools from across the state for critical security improvements, including reinforced windows and doors, state-of-the-art exterior door locking systems, and early detection systems.

This newly created taskforce will build upon the critical work that New Hampshire Homeland Security and Emergency Management Officials have done since 2012 to protect our schools.

Below are some of the improvements experts have worked with all schools (i.e., public and private) in the state to develop and enhance school emergency preparedness by conducting in-person physical security assessments:

• Access control
• Early detection and notification
• Emergency alerting

Out of New Hampshire's 668 schools, 481 have received an assessment, including 52 schools who have received reassessments.

Last session, legislation was passed requiring each school to develop a site-specific school emergency plan that addresses both natural and human caused hazards and requires plans to be submitted to the Department of Education.

HSEM, the Department of Education, and local emergency responders also support School Administrative Units by:

• Conducting training, drills and exercises to prepare the staff, teachers and students for an emergency.
• Developing guidance on door and window labelling to assist with emergency response efforts.
• Holding annual School Resource Officer seminars to provide training and share information for prevention, protection and response efforts.
• Providing mapping services to first responders to ensure they are familiar with the layouts of each of the school facilities.
• Funding more than $100,000 in emergency notification systems to enhance communications between schools and first responders.

The State's Information and Analysis Center continues to work with schools and law-enforcement to ensure a seamless and Efficient sharing of information. The State uses the latest technology to recognize and identify threats made via social media.

"We urge schools to be proactive in their communications with parents regarding the safety preparedness steps they are taking," said Sununu. "At the same time, schools are strongly encouraged to take advantage of state programs being offered including emergency management grants used to enhance communications between schools and first responders and additional resources available to assist with school preparedness exercises. We will not stop until our schools are the safest in the nation. If we can't put our kids on the school bus and know they are safe, nothing else matters."

The State of New Hampshire continues to urge schools to take advantage of state resources by contacting: schoolreadiness@dos.nh.gov

Additional details of the Governor's School Safety Preparedness Taskforce will be announced at a later date.