School Safety Today: Developing a Strong School Emergency Communication Plan

No one likes to think about the worst happening at their local schools. Unfortunately, in the United States school shootings alone have become shockingly common, making it all the more important to have a school emergency communication plan. In fact, there have been 948 school shootings since the Sandy Hook tragedy in December 2012. That’s an average of just over 94 shootings a year.

And further data shows that nearly 300K students have been present on campus during a shooting event. While emergency management plans are in place to handle anything from fires to major weather events, the worst-case scenario of an active shooter situation is a definitive reason to ensure that the emergency communication plan at your local school is robust and ready to handle any situation.

Emergency management expert Rick J. Kaufman, Executive Director of Community Relations and Emergency Management for Bloomington (MN) Public Schools has been working with schools and communities since the Columbine High School tragedy in 1999. Kaufman has 33 years in emergency management and communications alongside 30 years in public education.

“Because I come from a family of educators and a passion for education, I started working in public schools and married those two passions I had about communications and emergency management to create a safer school for students and staff members, you know bring comfort and reduce anxieties and fears that parents have,” said Kaufman.

Since Columbine, Kaufman has worked with schools and communities throughout the country to deal with school shootings both small and large. He was present to assist with the aftermath of Sandy Hook and Parkland, FL. However, he is quick to note that the smaller events that do not make the news are just as significant and tragic to those involved as the larger more publicized events.

Kaufman’s experience gives him a unique perspective on the critical nature of communications in school safety.

“The reason why communication is so important is because it is truly the foundation of all of those elements for preparation, planning, response, and recovery efforts. It is a foundation in the sense that, it is important that parents and stakeholders of school systems and organizations in general to know that there’s a plan in place and what happens when things go awry or when a school district is in crisis,” Kaufman said.

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

future of healthcare
Leading Through Change: Dr. Kevin Stevenson on Workforce, Innovation, and the Future of Healthcare
October 1, 2025

Healthcare is at a critical turning point, where staffing pressures, shrinking reimbursements, and rising patient expectations are reshaping the future of healthcare. According to the AACN Nursing Workforce Fact Sheet, the federal government projects more than 203,000 new registered nurse positions will be created annually from 2021 to 2031, reflecting high demand from an…

Read More
Non-traditional students
Holistic Support in Higher Ed: Why Non-Traditional Students Need More Than Just Financial Aid
October 1, 2025

Non-traditional students—adult learners, student parents, veterans, and first-generation college-goers—are carrying heavier burdens than ever. Upswing’s 2024 Ana Insights Report found that nearly nine in ten students intended to complete a FAFSA application, while many also sought help with essentials like food, housing, and bill payments. Perhaps most concerning, students expressed declining confidence in higher…

Read More
EAA AirVenture
From Ground to Sky: How Icom Radios Connect Crews, Docks, and Air Traffic at AirVenture 2025
October 1, 2025

Nestled in the shaded quiet of Oshkosh’s Seaplane Base, there exists a side of EAA AirVenture that many attendees never see. Unlike the bustling main grounds, the Seaplane Base operates for just one week each year, transforming from an unused shoreline into a hub of aviation activity. It takes hundreds of volunteers and days…

Read More
Seaplanes
Clear Signals, Safe Waters: Why Icom Radios are Key to Seamless Seaplane Operations at AirVenture 2025
October 1, 2025

At the heart of EAA AirVenture 2025, the Seaplane Base offers a unique glimpse into aviation’s most delicate dance—where water and air meet. Unlike traditional runways, this floating airfield demands a constant balance of precision, coordination, and communication. Here, pilots don’t just rely on their own skill; they depend on an entire team of…

Read More