The Emergency Operations Planning Committee (EOPC) joined together for the June 19 School Board meeting to give an update to members of the School Board and the Londonderry community. According to Peter Curro, this will be a constant work in progress plan and has required the help of both the police and fire department. The EOPC was formed two years ago by then Superintendent Nathan Greenberg. The committee was tasked with developing a comprehensive district-wide emergency plan for the Londonderry School District. Any meeting having to do with school safety, members of the committee were required to attend. After the first few meetings, the committee assessed where the issues were and how they should be addressed. They found that after working with Homeland Security, there was a need to improve upon its communication and building security. The EOPC also found that the administration in the district needed to be re-taught in regards to their role when/if an event occurs. Through Homeland Security, local officials, and online resources the committee found that there were many resources available to them according to Curro.
Director for Buildings/Grounds of the district Charles Zappala updated the Board on the improvements the district has made. “Some of the things we’ve done include the high wattage radios/ walkie-talkies for use throughout the district. We are capable of talking between the buildings and amongst everyone in the district on several different channels.” Zappala said. He also addressed the issue of exterior door monitoring. “We have 163 exterior doors in the school district and every one of them is monitored constantly. Any door that is not secured or opened for more than thirty seconds (and no motion is detected at the door) then triggers an alarm that alerts members of the office staff.”
Pupil Services Director Kim Carpinone informed the Board of the committee’s plans going forward. “As we look at 2018 and beyond, we (the committee) will continue our work on reunification, our role within the community, and how we are using social media to communicate with parents,” she said. The committee has the ability to communicate with members of the community through automated text, email, and phone messages. Parents can also see updates from the EOPC on Twitter and the Londonderry School District Facebook page. According to Carpinone, on the recommendation of LPD, the committee has adopted the philosophy of “Avoid Deny and Defend”(ADD).
“All of the EOPC members have been given an introductory training on ADD and on Monday June 25, all of our administrative staff, custodial staff, and Food Service Director will receive training provided by the Londonderry Police Department. All of our staff and faculty will be trained during the teacher workshop days in August.” The EOPC will continue to be a standing committee. Every time there is a drill or an event we will go over what they did well and how they can do better.