Utah Workshop

Utah School Safety Workshop

Workshop Information:

This workshop will address current events in school safety and emergency management specific to Nevada schools based on compliance to Utah Revised Statutes and recommended best practices in school safety. The Department of Justice After Action Review Report on the Robb Elementary School killings released in March of 2024 detail multiple compliance and negligence issues that were contributory factors in deaths and injuries during that incident that need to be addressed in school safety across the U.S. moving forward. These include target hardening, emergency communications planning, emergency management planning, staff emergency response training, reunification, and pre-incident Behavioral and Digital Threat Assessment. All these areas of identified vulnerability will be addressed during the workshop presentations. All facilitators are Subject Matter Experts in their individual fields and will leave attendees with takeaways they can implements in their schools to enhance the safety of students and staff.

Target Audience:

School Safety Specialists, School Administrators, School District Development Committee Members, School Board Trustees, School Counselors, Mental Health Professionals, School Resource Officers and Law Enforcement personnel involved with schools, any staff involved in safety or emergency response at a school.

Registration:

Registration for this workshop will open November 15, 2024. An email will be sent to School Safety Specialists and Superintendents when registration opens. Registration and additional workshop information will be at www.SchoolSafetyOps.com.  If lodging is needed, rooms can be reserved at the Hyatt Place Reno Airport website.

If you have any questions about registration, please contact Jeanette Mitchell at jeanette@schoolsafetyops.com

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Hourly Schedule

Day 1

8 am - 8:30 am
Sign in and networking. Coffee will be provided.
8:30 am - 8:45 am
Welcome:
8:45 am - 9:00 am
Current Events in School Safety
This session will address how recent incidents affecting school safety nationally and internationally can be used to enhance school safety and emergency management programs in the Utah School Districts. After Action Review reports from recent school Mass Casualty Incidents will be used as reference for compliance to Utah Revised Statutes, Federal Codes, and Recommended Best Practices related to school safety. Effective operations of the School District Emergency Operations Plan Development Committee and the School Safety Specialist position, with an emphasis on Emergency Communications Planning and coordination with local emergency response agencies will be discussion topics.
Speakers:
Jeff Kaye
9:00 am - 9:15 am
Break
9:15 am - 10:15 am
Managing School Emergency Incident Response
Lack of using the Incident Command System (ICS) and National Incident Management System (NIMS) principles in school emergency response are cited in most After Action Review reports as causal factors for increased fatalities and injuries after school Mass Casualty Incidents. School districts are required under federal statutes to use ICS and NIMS in their emergency management and response planning and training programs under Homeland Security Presidential Directive 5 (HSPD5) since July 1, 2005. These principles can be confusing to persons without emergency management backgrounds, unless they are presented in a manner pertinent to school emergency response. This session will discuss how to properly break down and manage a school emergency response using these principles. Use of the ICS management system during a Student/Family Reunification will be demonstrated during this session in order to give attendees an understanding of how to effectively manage an emergency response in a school or schools, and how to interact with emergency response agencies during the incident.
Speakers:
Jeff Kaye
10:15 am - 10:30 am
Break
10:30 am - 11:30 am
Upper Level Planning and Support of School Safety
This presentation will discuss effective Emergency Management planning and training programs school districts, school boards, superintendents and administrators can implement to fully support school safety and safe school culture and climate. Areas of focus will include utilizing district and school site goals and objectives for effective emergency planning, staff professional development, as well as communication with families and community stakeholders. School climate surveys, timely school safety reviews and relationships with local first responders will also be discussed. Effective administrative support of school Emergency Management programs will be a focal point of this presentation. School Safety is a platform that involves every staff member in a school and school district regardless of their position. But that platform is a tensile structure that is supported from above. If the upper support is removed, the platform will fail.
Speakers:
Todd Hess
11:30 am - 12:00 pm
Demonstration of Wearable Panic Button Notification Devices
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Lunch and Networking
1:00 pm
Multi-Agency Response to a School Emergency Incident
During any largescale school emergency incident, there will be multiple emergency agencies responding to the school to assist in the incident. These may include multiple law enforcement agencies who are not familiar with the school or school staff. Multi-Agency Coordination Systems (MACS) must be in place pre-incident and must be part of the school emergency management planning and training programs. It is important the staff from each agency involved in the incident, including school staff, know what their roles in the response are pre-incident. This is especially important when establishing Incident Command Posts, release of information, and post-incident operations. This session will give attendees a better understanding of their roles in a Multi-Agency incident response. It will also give attendees skills they can use when working through afternoon tabletop exercises.
Speakers:
Jeff Kaye
1:45 pm - 2:00 pm
Break
2:00 pm - 4:15 pm
Tabletop Exercise on a School Mass Casualty Incident
Exercises are a key component of emergency management and response preparedness. The provide opportunities for all agencies involved in a school emergency response to test capabilities, evaluate existing programs, and improve emergency planning and training. Tabletop exercises are an excellent method of maximizing use of valuable training time, as they are not as time consuming as live exercises and provide participants with an understanding of their own responsibilities during an emergency response. For this exercise, a Mass Casualty Incident at a fictional high school based on a recommended scenario from the FEMA Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) will be used for group discussion. Each small group will be given as assigned area of responsibility based on the scenario to discuss in their group. Each group will then present on their assigned area to the full group. The exercise will conclude with a Hot Wash session to improve planning based on the “SMART” concepts, which are Specific, Measurable, Achievable. Relevant, and Time Based goals for improving emergency management programs. Emergency Communications Planning and breaking down the response using principles of the Incident Command System will be central response capabilities tested during this exercise.
Speakers:
Bruce Kirby

Day 2

7:30 am - 8:00 am
Coffee and Networking
8:00 am - 8:05 am
Welcome Back
Speakers:
Jeff Kaye
8:05 am - 10:15 am
Utah Youth Suicide Prevention, Intervention, and Postvention
Speakers:
Emma White
10:15 am - 10:30 am
Break
10:30 am - 11:30 am
Digital Threat Assessment and the Pathway to Violence
Speakers:
Colton Easton
11:30 am - 12:00 pm
GIS Mapping of Schools for Emergency Response
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Lunch
1:00 pm - 4:15 pm
Behavior and Digital Threat Assessment with a special presentation on A.I. and Cyber Threats (Breaks will be included)
Cyber threats and SWATTING incidents affecting safe school culture and climate are on the rise, and will continue to trend in that direction due to the popularity of A.I. These threats tax resources in the schools, law enforcement, and the entire community. Schools and law enforcement can work through these types of threat incidents through use of Digital Threat Assessment. This interactive presentation by a leading Subject Matter Expert in Digital and Behavioral Threat Assessment will include the following Learning Intentions: 1. Early identification strategies for potential safety concerns, at-risk student behavior, and suicide intervention. 2. Integration of digital data in behavioral threat assessments to support the State of Utah Behavioral Threat Assessment and Safe Voice Anonymous Reporting programs. 3. SST Case walkthroughs containing worrisome behaviors related to substance use, mental health concerns, suicidal ideation, and self-harm. 4. Deciphering coded language and A.I. advancements. 5. Comprehensive threat assessment methodologies that can assist both schools and law enforcement programs. 6. Worrisome Online Behavior (WOB) Reports, what they are, how to use them, and how they can assist in early identification of at-risk student behavior.
Speakers:
Colton Easton
4:15 pm - 4:30 pm
Hot Wash Q&A
Jeff Kaye
Jeff Kaye
Founder of School Safety Operations, Inc.
Jeff Kaye stands as a prominent figure in the realm of school safety, holding the position of President and Founder at School Safety Operations Inc. His organization is at the forefront of providing emergency management, response planning, and training services to educational institutions across the United States and Canada. Jeff’s journey into school safety commenced in 2008 when he embraced the role of Director of Security and Safety Services at Desert Sands Unified School District in La Quinta, California. This career pivot followed a distinguished 25-year tenure in law enforcement, culminating in his retirement. During his eight-year tenure with the school district, Jeff laid the groundwork for what would become his enduring commitment to enhancing school safety. In 2011, Jeff founded School Safety Operations Inc., a milestone that marked a significant expansion of his efforts to improve the safety and security of schools. Under his leadership, the company has been dedicated to delivering comprehensive planning and training services tailored to the unique needs of schools and school districts. In 2011, Jeff founded School Safety Operations Inc., a milestone that marked a significant expansion of his efforts to improve the safety and security of schools. Under his leadership, the company has been dedicated to delivering comprehensive planning and training services tailored to the unique needs of schools and school districts. A key focus of School Safety Operations Inc. is conducting Hazard and Vulnerability Assessments aimed at infrastructure target hardening. These assessments are critical components of the firm’s strategy to bolster the resilience of educational facilities against potential threats, thereby ensuring the safety of students and staff. Prior to his involvement in school safety, Jeff had a career in law enforcement with the Reno, NV Police Department, retiring at the rank of Sergeant in 2007. His law enforcement career was notable for specialization in undercover and tactical response operations. Jeff played a supervisory role in the tactical response to the March 2006 Pine Middle School shootings in Reno, an experience that underscores his expertise in handling critical incidents. Beyond his professional achievements, Jeff Kaye is an accomplished author. His bibliography includes two school emergency management reference books, a true crime novel, and two fiction novels, showcasing his versatility and depth of knowledge in both factual and imaginative writing.
Todd Hess
Todd Hess
Consultant
Todd Hess has dedicated nearly three decades of his professional career to the Storey County School District in western Nevada, where he recently retired as Superintendent. Born and raised in the district, Todd's commitment to education and community has been unwavering. Beginning as a classroom educator, Todd initiated his career teaching U.S. Government, History, Social Studies, and Geography at Virginia City High School. His involvement extended beyond the classroom, as he also took on the role of coaching basketball for the Virginia City Muckers. This early experience laid the foundation for Todd's comprehensive understanding of the district's dynamics and needs. Over the years, Todd's leadership skill became increasingly evident as he transitioned into administrative roles within the Storey County School District. He spent a total of 16 years serving as the Principal of every school in SCSD, including Virginia City High School, Virginia City Middle School, Hugh Gallagher Elementary School, and Hillside Elementary School. In these positions, Todd demonstrated his commitment to fostering positive relationships and effective communication among board trustees, families, students, staff, businesses, and other community stakeholders. Todd's reputation as a strong communicator and relationship builder extends beyond the district boundaries. He is an active member of the Nevada Association of School Superintendents (NASS), where he not only serves on the ACT Council but also chairs the Committee of Outdoor Education. This involvement reflects Todd's dedication to contributing to educational initiatives beyond his immediate responsibilities. Throughout his career, Todd has garnered recognition for his outstanding contributions. In 2002, he was honored as the 1A Athletic Director of the Year. Furthermore, he served as the 1A president for four years and acted as a liaison to the Executive Board of the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association (NIAA). The Nevada Association of School Boards acknowledged Todd's exemplary leadership by naming him the Administrator of the Year in 2011. His ongoing commitment was further underscored when he received the Co-Superintendent of the Year award in 2023. Additionally, Todd's dedication to school safety earned him the Individual School Safety Award from the International School Safety Institute in 2020. Todd Hess shaped the educational landscape of Storey County, leaving an indelible mark through his commitment, leadership, and genuine engagement with the community.
Bruce Kirby
Bruce Kirby
Lead Project Consultant and Trainer at School Safety Operations Inc
Bruce Kirby stands as a pivotal figure at School Safety Operations Inc., where he excels in his roles as a Lead Project Consultant and Trainer. His tenure with the organization began in November 2012, marking the start of a significant phase in his career dedicated to enhancing school safety protocols and training programs. Prior to joining School Safety Operations Inc., Bruce lent his expertise to the U.S. State Department’s International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Bureau. In this capacity, he served as a Senior Police Advisor, a role that saw him stationed in the Kurdistan area of Iraq. Here, Bruce was instrumental in providing comprehensive training to local law enforcement agencies, a testament to his commitment to fostering global security and law enforcement proficiency. Bruce embarked on his law enforcement journey in 1982, initially serving as a Deputy with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. His career spanned nine years in this role, after which he transitioned to the Reno, NV, Police Department. Bruce’s dedication and exemplary service led him to retire at the rank of Lieutenant in 2011, culminating a 21-year tenure filled with various investigative and supervisory accomplishments. Throughout his extensive career, Bruce has been deeply involved in law enforcement training. His experiences have equipped him with a profound understanding of tactics and target hardening strategies, particularly in the context of school emergency management and response. At School Safety Operations Inc., Bruce leverages his vast knowledge and experience to contribute to the development of safer educational environments, ensuring that schools are well-prepared to manage and respond to emergencies effectively.
Emma White
Emma White
Statewide Youth Suicide Prevention Coordinator with the Nevada Department of Education and Project Aware Manager with the Office of Suicide Prevention
Emma White wears many hats including being an Author, Professional Speaker, Podcast Host, and Founder and President of the Life Is Worth It Organization. In her day job, she is the Youth Suicide Prevention Coordinator for the Nevada Department of Education and the Project Aware Manager for the Office of Suicide Prevention, where she specializes in suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention strategies on local, state, and federal levels.
Colton Easton
Colton Easton
Safer Schools Together
Colton joined Safer Schools Together (SST) in 2016 after receiving his Diploma in Law Enforcement Studies at the Justice Institute of British Columbia. In his current role as Director of Project Development, Colton works closely with SST CEO/Founder Theresa Campbell in the development and implementation of trainings such as Behavioral and Digital Threat Assessment® (BDTA) which is based on the USSS/NTAC model, Digital Threat Assessment® (DTA), and many more. Colton is an accomplished trainer, having presented to thousands of individuals from organizations across North America including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), numerous other law enforcement agencies and both K to 12 school districts and higher education campuses. Colton began his time at SST as a Threat Analyst where he gained invaluable experience and knowledge collecting social media data that is used to assist Safety/Threat Assessment teams in conducting accurate threat assessments. He has been involved in several high-profile cases relating to school safety in Canada and the US.
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Date

Feb 03 - 04 2025

Time

8:00 am - 4:30 pm

Cost

$350.00

Location

Davis Conference Center
1651 N. 700 W. Layton Utah

Organizer

Jeff Kaye
Phone
(775) 233-8317.
Email
jeff@schoolsafetyops.com
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