Meridian School District, along with all school districts in Whatcom County, are implementing Standard Response Protocol (SRP) for emergency and incident preparedness and response. SRP was created by the I Love U Guys Foundation.
SRP uses clear and common language and is not based on one individual scenario but on the response to any given scenario. This allows the district to easily communicate with first responders.
The protocol allows for a predictable series of actions as an unpredictable event unfolds. Whether the incident is weather related, a fire, accident, intruder or other student safety scenario, students and staff will be trained and ready to respond appropriately.
SRP includes five actions which are Hold, Secure, Lockdown, Evacuate and Shelter (see below). Posters with information about each action and what to do when they occur are displayed throughout our schools and classrooms.
The district safety team received SRP training in January 2023. Before school started, school staff at each school were trained on the new protocols.
Each month our schools practice safety drills. This ensures that both students and staff are well prepared to respond in the event of any incident. Drills this year will follow the processes outlined in Standard Response Protocol.
“Our top priority is the safety of our students and staff. Standard Response Protocol allows us to use consistent language throughout the district,” said Assistant Superintendent Kurt Harvill. “It is really powerful to have each school in our district, as well as countywide, using the same language when it comes to incident response. This will ensure efficiency, safety, and reduce confusion if an incident were to occur.”
Looking ahead, Meridian School District will host a reunification drill in late June. This will be in coordination with local emergency services. School district personnel from around the county have been invited to observe and participate in the drill.
Families can learn more about school safety and Standard Response Protocol on our website at www.meridian.wednet.edu/school-safety/.