First Responders, Rockwood Representatives Meet for Annual Crisis Planning Workshop

More than 110 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. 25.

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 are so greatly appreciative of the fact we’re able to come together as partners to keep everyone in the Rockwood School District safe,” said Rockwood Superintendent Dr. Curtis Cain. “Our partnerships with you are a critical piece of any Rockwood safety plan. We take this seriously. Thank you for helping us complete the loop. It doesn’t work without your support.”

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.

“I have a passion for the safety of our students and school communities,” Godwin said. “There are so many people who play a role in this job of keeping our community safe. It’s a privilege to be here and work alongside you. These relationships are crucial in the event that we are addressing something that is high-alert.”

The attendees then split into four breakout rooms by location to discuss three potential crisis scenarios and responses to each of them, guided by Rockwood’s four district safety officers. All participants reconvened as a group at the end to share their discussions.

As Rockwood embarks on a yearlong process to prepare for a new district strategic plan for 2025-2030, ensuring that our schools remain safe and caring places for all students, staff, families and visitors will continue to be one of our focal points.

Community first responders play a crucial role in this.

“The big opportunity for us is getting face-to-face with everybody at the beginning of the year. It’s good to get everyone together in the same place to talk through things,” said Metro West Chief of Fire and EMS Services Mike Krause. “We really appreciate all of our law enforcement and fire partners here, as well as the Rockwood School District. Rockwood does a great job making sure we’re always welcome here to get together in these types of settings. This is an opportunity to not have the pressure of an emergency to get ready together and protect the kids and all the people who work here.”