Foundation creates universal response to school safety crises

On that day, his daughter’s final words in a text message became the namesake of a foundation established to equip schools and organizations with efficient crisis response protocol and guidelines. 

The “I Love U Guys” Foundation began as a way to raise money for existing initiatives, but eventually evolved to establish a clear, common language and approach for first responders, students and staff when safety is of concern. 

Looking to spread a universal language and approach to student safety, the foundation hosts regional in-person conferences that humanize the conversation, Keyes said. 

“A lot of learning is done through story telling,” Keyes said. “We’re going to tell some tough stories, but I think there’s also an opportunity to bring heart and humor to the conversation.”

In response to an identified gap in language or expectation of behavior in response to emergencies, the foundation set out to develop the Standard Response Protocol — a uniform, planned and practiced response to any incident a school may face. 

Though the information on this protocol is available online at no cost, “not even an email address,” Keyes said the conferences — like the one held in San Mateo Nov. 7 and 8 — allow for a deep-dive training on what these protocol could look like in specific environments. 

“We don’t use fear-based conversations to make any points,” Keyes said. “Institutionally, our guidance is that we must conduct drills, let’s make the muscle memory, but we do not need to simulate the event that made that drill necessary.” 

For matters ranging from storms and wild animals, to intruders and other threats to personal safety, the “Standard Response Protocol” outlines five actions that can be taken — Hold, Secure, Lockdown, Evacuate and Shelter  — with specified directives. 

The conferences were initially held at Columbine High School, but have since moved to be held regionally, which Keyes hopes will increase access to the teachings. Anecdotally, he’s heard from people attending that they feel more empowered and aware of what their school or organization can be doing. 

“Those five actions sound simple but we’ve heard anecdotally that it really was a vector into the classroom by that safety professional where they could have a conversation in a nonthreatening way about what might be a scary topic,” Keyes said. 

The impact will stretch beyond those who can go to the conference, Keyes said. He hopes attendees continue the conversation beyond safety measures and look “upstream” and question what can be done to prevent incidents of safety concern in the first place. 

“If they walk out of the conference a new champion or an old reinvigorated champion, that’s what we’re looking for,” Keyes said. 

The conference was hosted at Verkada, a San Mateo security systems company that equips many schools in the region with fully integrated security systems. In addition to the stories told, the conference highlights technologies that can promote safety on campuses and public spaces. 

The product team at Verkada works in collaboration with the “I Love U Guys” Foundation to integrate the protocol responses into their technology, said Mollie Markey, associate communications manager for the security company. The partnership is one reflection of the collaboration of survivors, family members, first responders and private companies to promote safety and preparedness, Markey said.

“The human connection piece is really key to what ‘I Love U Guys’ does well,” Markey said. “Telling the story and reminding people why we’re doing what we’re doing and why it’s important.” 

Despite what his family has gone through, and the prevalence of violence on campuses and in public spaces in the nation, Keyes remains optimistic of change, and will continue to work to empower who he can. 

“I don’t look at this world as a scary place, but it is an uncertain place,” Keyes said. “Giving folks some knowledge about what to do when something is uncertain, I think is empowering.” 

Downloadable versions of all safety protocol materials are available at www.iloveuguys.org at no cost. 

ana@smdailyjournal.com

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