Standard Response Protocol
The Standard Response Protocol (SRP) has been in use for several years and is widely regarded as a benchmark for incident response in schools. It was developed by the I Love U Guys Foundation, a non-profit organization established in 2006 following a tragic school shooting in Colorado that claimed the life of Emily Keyes. The foundation's name was inspired by Emily's final text message to her parents, which has since become a symbol of their commitment to enhancing school safety in her memory.
Click on the Image to View a Downloadable PDF of the SRP Protocols
Blair Community Schools communicates and reinforces the SRP system with students annually. This includes annual drills to reinforce expectations for students.
The SRP system is straightforward, consisting of five commands, each paired with a clear directive. These commands and directives create a shared language, ensuring that students and educators fully understand them without confusion. In the event of an incident that significantly impacts the school day, parents will be promptly notified.
5 SRP Commands and Directives
Hold!
Initial Public Announcement: “Hold in your room or area. Clear the halls.”
Schools will restrict student movement in the building to their current location, take attendance, and resume activities. Students in the hallways will join the nearest secure room.
Examples: Medical issues, altercations, unfinished maintenance operations, or other disruptions.
Secure!
Initial Public Announcement: “Secure! Get inside. Lock outside Doors.”
Schools will lock exterior doors, restrict student movement to inside the building, take attendance, and resume activities.
Examples: Nearby criminal activity, civil unrest, wild animal, or other exterior disruptions.
Lockdown!
Initial Public Announcement: “Lockdown! Locks, lights, out of sight.”
Schools will restrict student movement to their current location, take attendance, turn off lights, and move students to a pre-designated area that is out of immediate visibility.
Examples of Use: Campus intruder, active assailant, or other elevated incidents.
Evacuate!
Initial Public Announcement: “Evacuate to … [specified location].”
Schools will direct students to leave the building, gather at pre-designated locations, and take attendance. Students not with their class will join the nearest group.
Examples of Use: Power outages, compromised facility safety, or threats of violence.
Shelter!
Initial Public Announcement: “Shelter for … [specified incident and instruction].”
Schools will direct students to take shelter at specific locations, depending on the disruption, where role will be taken.
Examples of Use: Tornadoes, flooding, lightning, or other severe weather conditions.
Ways Families Can Help
We understand that discussing school safety and potential incidents can be uncomfortable, but your cooperation and support are essential for the effective implementation of the SRP. Here are five important ways you can help ensure the safety of students, educators, and emergency responders:
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Rely on Official Communication Sources
In the event of an incident, you will be notified via email, SMS/text, phone, or in-app notifications. Social media and the school or district website may not always be used immediately, especially if the incident is isolated to a single school. These platforms will serve as secondary communication channels when appropriate. Please be patient as we verify information to ensure accuracy, and avoid sharing unconfirmed details from unofficial sources. -
Stay Home
Parents are strongly advised not to come to the school during an incident. Doing so could endanger yourself, students, educators, and emergency responders. Trained professionals are equipped to handle these situations and must remain focused on ensuring the safety of everyone on campus. -
Avoid Calling the School
During an incident, the safety of students and educators is the top priority. Calls may be redirected to the District Office, but please understand that information may be limited beyond what is shared via email. Your patience is appreciated as we work to manage the situation. -
Be Prepared for Reunification
If a reunification process is necessary, it will be carried out swiftly and in an organized manner. Instructions will be communicated through email and phone messages, so please monitor them closely and be ready to act on the provided directions promptly. -
Avoid Contacting Your Student Immediately
During an incident, the situation can be volatile or rapidly evolving. Refrain from calling or texting your student, as notifications may compromise their safety or disrupt important instructions, such as remaining quiet or following lockdown procedures.
Your support in following these guidelines is vital to ensuring the safety and well-being of our school community.
See Something, Say Something!
There are two additional ways you can support your student while contributing to the safety of all students and educators:
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If You See Something, Say Something
Students and their families are often the first to notice potential threats or concerning conditions. Even if you’re uncertain about a threat’s credibility, it’s critical to report it to school, district, or law enforcement officials. Prompt reporting can make all the difference in preventing incidents. -
Maintain Open Communication with Your Student
Regularly discuss safety, prevention, and response with your student. Review and rehearse SRP protocols together until they feel natural, so your student knows exactly how to respond during an incident. If your student experiences an incident, take the time to talk openly with them afterward, helping them process their feelings and ensuring they feel supported and understood.
Thank you for your continued support of the SRP program. Preparedness is key to maintaining safety, and BCS deeply values our partnership with you and our first responders to keep students safe and prepared.