Homeland Security Coordinator
Participates in Roundtable Discussion on Safe Schools
ST. LOUIS, June 12, 2007-Homeland Security Coordinator
Paul Fennewald today answered questions on Missouri’s effort
to engage schools in planning and preventing terrorism acts on school
grounds and collegiate campuses during a roundtable discussion facilitated
by FOCUS, an AT&T user group.
“State government works best when we engage in
public-private partnerships to further develop comprehensive issues
like the safety and security of Missouri students,” Fennewald
said. “Our roundtable discussion exchanged valuable information
that we can all build on and continue with our school safety efforts.”
The session dove into issues and technology related
to Business Continuity and Emergency Response Planning for educational
leaders and first responders. Topic included:
• Emergency Notification and Alerting
• Interoperable Communications
• Student/Evacuee Tracking
• Emergency Response Planning
• NIMS Compliance in Education
Gov. Blunt administration has many school safety initiatives
underway to address school violence and safety concerns. Recently
he appointed a 29-member Campus Security Task Force to help ensure
a more powerful partnership between school administrators and the
public safety community. He also directed the Regional Homeland Security
Committees established under the Governor’s Homeland Security
Advisory Council to add an elementary and secondary education representative
to its membership to engage schools in Homeland Security planning.
Last week, Gov. Matt Blunt’s Campus Security Task
Force co-chaired by Mark James, Director of Public Safety and Dr.
Robert Stein, Commissioner of Higher Education held its first public
hearing in St. Louis. The Task Force heard from concerned Missourians
on arming all campus security officers, campus lockdowns and students,
faculty and staff being required to wear identification. Gov. Blunt
expects a final report from his Task Force by August 15.