PIERCE, Neb. -- In a proactive effort to enhance school safety, Pierce hosted a dynamic school shooter simulation exercise, bringing together local fire and police departments, EMS, and school district members. The participants shared valuable insights and strategies to ensure the safety of students in the event of a crisis.

The Local Emergency Operations Plan (LEOP) is a detailed planing process capitalizing on lessons learned from recent disasters. It helps counties prepare for, respond to, recover from, and prevent a wide variety of bad situations that could affect the health, safety, and/or general welfare of residents and emergency workers. 

In a preview active shooter table talk, Nebraska Region 11 Emergency Management Bobbi Risor laid out what schools should do and look for incase the unfortunate was to happen.

According to the Homeland Security exercise and evaluation program, Risor said, "They want to know who's in charge, what are the three important concerns, how will the school's occupants be notified of the situation, what procedures are teachers and staff following, are police officers familiar with the school floor plan and the school procedures for an active shooter." 

"Some of (LEOP) instructions are to lockout. It will be a shelter in place and allow students to wait for law enforcement and lead them out of their rooms. Fight or flight. They've talked about that. If you can get out, please run and find safety."

"I believe we just need to be prepared the best way that we can. You know, the law enforcement have their role," said Kendall Steffensen Pierce Public Schools Superintendent. "The fire department has their own. We have our role. And if we're all prepared and all can work together, we can have the best outcome for our students."

To learn more about this table talk and have it discussed at your school, you can email Nebraska Region 11 Emergency Management Bobbi Risor. She covers Antelope, Madison, and Pierce County. If you are not in those counties, reach out to your emergency manager and they will direct you appropriately.