Two high schools were placed on Secure Campus last month in response to a specific threat in a social media post that also included an image of ammunition. The two schools, Menlo-Atherton and Carlmont, were in Secure Campus for just over an hour while police worked to ensure the campuses were safe.
There was some later concern that there was more to the threat because a national nonprofit claimed it helped stop a school shooting through its tip line. That was all clarified soon enough, but not before it once again spurred some concern and rumors in the larger community. One of the concerns was that some in the media reported that the schools were locked down, or in Lockdown. That is a completely designation with an entirely different meaning.
A school in Secure Campus essentially means there is a potential threat outside campus and students are to remain in classrooms. The potential threat could be a number of things, a potential for harm through a social media threat or a crime suspect on the loose nearby. These happen quite frequently, and are usually tied to something like a bomb threat either phoned in or even written on a restroom wall. We don’t typically report on Secure Campus situations because it is not an actual on-campus threat, unless it is part of a larger situation that makes it of community interest. A Lockdown is completely different. When a school is locked down, it means there is a specific threat on campus right then. It could be someone with a gun, or it could a dangerous situation involving people in part of the campus. It means there is an imminent threat to safety on campus and staff and students are advised to barricade. This is super rare, and I can’t think of the last time we learned of a Lockdown/Barricade.
So reporting what exactly is happening with a high level of specificity is important because there is an extremely large difference between an online threat and an active shooter.
There are five levels to school emergencies in San Mateo County as described in the Big Five protocol. The first level is Shelter in Place, which is typically for smoke, hazardous material spills, gas or other airborne contaminant. It was used frequently during wildfires, to ensure students remained healthy and safe. This can also used if there is a mountain lion or coyote on campus. The second level is Drop, Cover and Hold On, which is for when there is an earthquake or explosion. Evacuation could follow. Secure Campus is next, then Lockdown/Barricade. The last is Evacuation, which is implemented when it is no longer safe to be in school buildings because of bomb threats, earthquakes, explosions or chemical accidents. Schools all have designated areas where students and staff will go. If you don’t where that location is, ask someone at the school.
The Big Five Protocol was instituted by the San Mateo County Coalition of Safe Schools and Communities after the Sandy Hook tragedy in 2012 where 26 students and staff were fatally shot in Newton, Connecticut. Several leaders, including Jackie Speier, Anne Campbell, Gene Mullin, Greg Munks, Adrienne Tissier and Don Horsley created a summit to explore ways to better coordinate and connect.
Before that, all districts had their own warning systems and levels and protocol. The idea was to create the same vocabulary so everyone here in San Mateo County knew what each meant. As a member of the media, it’s important for me to know what they mean and how to explain that to our readers. It avoids confusion and unnecessary stress.
The coalition’s work was to improve information sharing and coordination between schools, districts, government agencies and emergency personnel. It also addresses protocol for mental health, reporting of crimes including sexual assault, Narcan use, respiratory illness in schools, student threat assessment and suicide prevention. It provides support for school communities and provides resources for reporting mental health and behavioral health incidents through the STOPit app. Its work is clearly ongoing.
The Big Five protocol is a success story for this county. Creating a common language over emergency response is proving to be a model for other areas of the state and should expand nationwide. While this work operates largely in the background, it’s good to highlight it so the rest of the community can get on the same page in understanding what each level means and why that’s important.
In the case of the Secure Campus situation at two schools Sept. 10, there were several factors in play including ensuring privacy for the people involved so information was limited. But I can’t help to think that being as specific as possible about the nature of the threat at the time it was made may have prevented rumors and confusion about it. Something to think about.
(1) comment
Thanks, Mr. Mays, for summarizing the Big Five Protocol. This is the first time I’ve heard of it. Five levels seems one level too many, if not two. Perhaps we can rename Secure Campus to something else because it still sounds like a Lockdown. From your description, Secure Campus sounds the same as a Shelter in Place. Maybe rename each level so there’s an acronym. Because after typing the above sentences, I’ve already forgotten the five levels. A common language would be helpful across the state or nationwide but I don’t think the current named levels will clear up confusion.
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