On Friday, Jan. 25, the Clinton County School Safety Commission convened at the Frankfort Police Department, 1740 W State Road 28, Frankfort, Indiana. The meeting, chaired by Dr. James Hanna, Superintendent of Rossville Consolidated School District, brought together over 40 representatives from Clinton County school corporations, emergency services and public safety organizations to discuss ongoing safety initiatives and preparedness strategies.
The meeting featured presentations by three distinguished speakers, each addressing critical aspects of school safety and emergency management.
Weather Preparedness and Safety
Sam Lashley, Warning Coordination Meteorologist with the National Weather Service (NWS) in Indianapolis, presented “Winter Weather and the Transition into the Spring Severe Weather Season.” Mr. Lashley highlighted the vital role of the NWS in supporting emergency management through decision-support services and accurate forecasting. He emphasized the importance of reliable sources for weather information and detailed updates on winter weather advisories, severe storm risks, and tornado preparedness.
During his presentation, Mr. Lashley introduced new weather alert categories, such as the Cold Weather Advisory and Snow Squall Warning, and discussed probabilistic tools provided by the Storm Prediction Center to enhance decision-making. He also stressed the importance of well-developed emergency response plans for severe weather events, underscoring the critical role of the NWS in fostering community resilience.
Tornado Recovery Lessons
Jeremy Gulley, Superintendent of the Jay School Corporation, shared insights from the recovery efforts following the EF1 tornado that struck Jay County Jr.-Sr. High School on Sept. 22. His presentation, “Emergency Response and Recovery: Tornado Impact on Jay County Jr.-Sr. High School,” detailed the school’s structured approach to ensuring safety, communication, and continuity of education.
Superintendent Gulley described the school corporation’s three-phase recovery plan, which included immediate site stabilization, utilization of mobile classrooms, and disaster mitigation efforts. He emphasized the importance of leadership, teamwork, and communication in successfully managing a school crisis, offering valuable lessons for school administrators and emergency response teams.
Enhancing Lightning Safety
Chris Gilliam, Accounts Manager at AEM, delivered a presentation titled “Know the Risk! Enhancing Lightning Safety and Awareness for Schools and Communities.” He discussed the risks associated with lightning and the importance of accurate monitoring systems to enhance safety protocols.
Mr. Gilliam highlighted Rossville Consolidated School District’s leadership in adopting a Lightning Detection system, which the district has utilized since 2010. The system has played a vital role in ensuring timely alerts during weather events, enhancing safety for students and staff. He also demonstrated the system’s operation and shared real-world examples of its effectiveness in preventing accidents and improving preparedness.
Mr. Gilliam underscored the importance of having a robust emergency response plan to address weather-related risks and encouraged schools to invest in reliable technologies to protect their communities.
Safety Updates and New Initiatives
Representatives from Clinton County schools provided updates on their ongoing safety initiatives, including new public address systems, upgraded security cameras, and reunification training. Rossville Consolidated School District highlighted its transition to a new cellular radio system, updates to its camera system, and enhanced communication protocols.
With over 40 representatives in attendance, the Clinton County School Safety Commission continues to demonstrate a strong commitment to collaboration and preparedness, ensuring the safety of students and staff across the county.
For more information about the Clinton County School Safety Commission and its initiatives, please get in touch with Dr. Hanna at 765-379-2990.
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