Crisis Planning Workshop Brings Together First Responders, Rockwood Representatives, Continues Emphasis on Safe & Caring Schools

More than 90 Rockwood School District administrators, staff members, parents, Board of Education members, district safety officers and school resource officers (SROs) and representatives from local police and fire departments met for the district's annual Crisis Planning Workshop at the Administrative Annex in Eureka on Wednesday, Sept. 24.

The meeting served as a chance for Rockwood representatives and area first responders to convene and discuss safety procedures and protocols, part of a continuous effort to ensure the safety of the district's students and staff. Police representatives from Eureka, Ballwin, St. Louis County, Chesterfield and Ellisville attended the meeting, as well as representatives from the Metro West, Fenton, Monarch and Eureka fire protection districts, the St. Louis County Office of Emergency Management and Central County Emergency 911.

“We have to keep evolving in how we prepare,” Rockwood Superintendent Dr. Curtis Cain shared with first responders. “The key is we’re doing this together, and we simply can’t do this without you. We’re very grateful about this continuing relationship we have with you in the Rockwood School District. Thank you for answering our calls. Thank you for your continued support literally on a daily basis in our school district.”

After introductory remarks from Dr. Cain, Assistant Superintendent for Supervision of Secondary Education Dr. Paul Godwin, District Safety Supervisor Ty Dennis and Assistant Superintendent of Student Services Dr. Stephen Hankins provided an overview of the district Report on School Safety and Security.

“We cannot overstate how important these relationships are,” Hankins said. “That’s what today is for, to build that relationship, take lessons we’ve learned and get better.”

Eureka Police Chief Michael Werges also presented to the group about best practices for setting up incident command during crisis situations. The attendees then split into breakout rooms by location and school level to discuss a potential crisis situation involving a tornado hitting a school near dismissal time, facilitated by school safety officer Mark Tinkham and Fenton Fire District public information officer Kate Moore. All participants reconvened as a group at the end to share their discussions.

One of the key components of Rockwood’s new “Forward Together” strategic plan involves providing for safe and caring school communities. To that end, we will continue to foster strong partnerships with police, fire and emergency personnel to refine safety protocols, conduct drills and implement best-practice security strategies in our schools and around the district.