No safety or emergency protocol should rely on one person or a series of actions that only select individuals can perform. At Columbus Public Schools, we have been fortunate; about 90% of our emergency or safety issues are some type of medical response. We have learned that a better tool is available to assist us with all of our Standard Response Protocols: Hold, Secure, Lockdown, Evacuate and Shelter.

CPS is currently installing two key supports in the final phase of our safety and security improvements. The first will be the installation of a visitor management system at all buildings - this is very common in most public buildings and large school districts. With over 4,000 students in a community our size, this has become a necessary component of our plan.  To learn more about the system visit Centegix’s website.

An upcoming change will be the installation and use of the crisis management system, which will allow us to execute all standard response protocols with the push of a button and expedite support from local first responders.  Click here to review a detailed explanation of the Centegix system on their website.  In summary, CPS will be able to respond to a medical emergency or lockdown by any staff member pressing a button on their badge - this protocol activates the necessary notifications, verbal alerts, visual strobes, and first responder notification in seconds. It will give us a centralized district response to a "shelter in place" alert for weather incidents, necessary evacuations, and assistance with reunification and notifications.

Two critical components to every safety and security plan are (1) Prevention and (2) Response. Our school district takes the safety of students, staff, and guests as a top priority - this is the final component to that plan.