Andy Anderson the Behavior Interventionist at the school presents the ALICE program

Andy Anderson the Behavior Interventionist at the Clearbrook-Gonvick School presented the ALICE program to the school board at their meeting. ALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate) is Training instructor led classes to provide preparation and a plan for individuals and organizations on how to more proactively handle the threat of an aggressive intruder or active shooter event. Whether it is an attack by an individual person or by an international group of professionals intent on conveying a political message through violence, ALICE Training option based tactics have become the accepted response, versus the traditional “lockdown only” approach. Anderson had been asked by the school board to move forward and work on a plan for the district. He had attended a two day training session regarding ALICE (Alert, Lock Down, Inform, Counter and Evacuate).  

So far, they have created a draft active shooter policy using ALICE. Anderson has met with staff and taken a list of questions/concerns that they are working on answering/resolving. They have enrolled in “blended learning” through ALICE which is online training for the staff and that has been sent out to all of the staff to complete.  They have distributed a portion of some closer locks for the classrooms which are a steel device to slip over the door closers as an extra locking device should an enhanced lockdown become necessary.  They are also in the process of updating the evacuation policy to go hand in hand with the new active shooter policy.  

The “ALICE” model for any active shooter situation. These steps are not sequential but rather provide a guide using an acronym.

A – “Alert” – How you are alerted to the threat (the sound of shots, screams, announcement, seeing the shooter)

L – “Lockdown” – Enhanced lockdown using barricading and distraction/counter devices. If the threat is too close for evacuation or you feel evacuation is not safe, you should perform an enhanced lockdown. Ensure door is locked, install closure lock and use desks, chairs, file cabinets, furniture to barricade the door. If in lockdown, you should not allow anyone into the room except law enforcement. Law Enforcement will identify themselves to you and you should ask for proof that it is law enforcement such as sending a second officer to the window so you can see for yourself. Or you can call 911 and ask the dispatcher to verify if an officer is outside your room.

 I – “Inform” – Inform others at any point you feel is safe to do so, by screaming or calling 911.

C – “Counter” – Use counter devices, distraction techniques and the swarm (age appropriate). Swarm would be to have students and staff spread out throughout the room and grab anything that can be used as a counter/distraction device such as staplers, tape dispensers, books, computer monitors, cell phones, chairs, etc. If the shooter gains entry to the room, students should throw their devices at the shooter while moving. Students and staff should consider swarming the shooter while throwing things at them. 

E – “Evacuate” – Evacuate the area to the designated rally point. They have been looking at rally points with the first one being Charp’s office building. The second rally point will be the Community Center (Old School). The rally point will serve as the reunification point and where students will be picked up by Parents and Guardians.