Kern Educators, First Responders Unite to Prioritize School Safety

School safety is a priority among educators, parents, and first responders across Kern County. As the nation continues to navigate evolving challenges, numerous steps have been implemented here at home to ensure students are as safe as possible while at school. 

California law requires every public school to develop and update a comprehensive school safety plan annually. These plans must address a variety of potential emergencies, ranging from natural disasters to human-caused threats. They are designed to ensure that schools are prepared to respond effectively to emergencies, safeguard students and staff, and facilitate communication with local authorities.

“School safety plans are the backbone of preparedness in our schools,” said Kern County Superintendent of Schools Dr. John Mendiburu. “These documents outline response strategies and prevention measures that help maintain a safe and welcoming campus environment.”

The Safer Schools Coalition has emerged as a model for collaboration between schools, law enforcement, and emergency response agencies. This Coalition brings together key stakeholders to address safety challenges, conduct drills, and share best practices.

“The coalition fosters a united front,” said KCSOS’s Chief Systems Officer Dr. Cameron Guinn, who chairs the Coalition. “By working together and sharing best practices, we can ensure that our schools are as prepared as possible for emergencies and are proactive in preventing them.”

The Coalition’s initiatives include training sessions, scenario-based drills, and the development of resources tailored to Kern County’s diverse school communities’ unique needs. Such collaboration has enhanced the region’s ability to respond to incidents effectively while strengthening community trust. 

“The county does a great job of working with everybody and trying to provide training that you can utilize,” said Cy Silver, superintendent of Norris School District. “We’re a large county that has a lot of districts, but we have a lot in common. When we share those things, and we talk about it, we can accomplish way more.”

Norris teamed up with the Rosedale, Fruitvale, and Rio Bravo Greeley school districts to form their own subgroup of the Safer Schools Coalition called the Northwest Bakersfield Consortium. Silver says all the school districts are of a similar size, share borders, and have a lot in common. 

“We are more natural collaborators on things that come up in our area,” he explained. “We’re always talking and texting each other.”

The four districts meet at least once a quarter to share ideas, identify plans, share resources, and meet with first responders to host training on campus.  

“There’s strength in numbers,” Silver said. “When we do these things together, it provides us a better foundation and a better path forward.” 

One of the many initiatives that came out of the Coalition in recent years was the implementation of the Standard Response Protocol (SRP), a nationally recognized framework for responding to school emergencies, which many school districts in the county have implemented. 

Developed by the “I Love U Guys” Foundation, SRP provides clear, standardized actions for various situations, such as lockdowns, evacuations, and shelter-in-place scenarios. The protocol emphasizes simple, consistent language that can be easily understood by students, staff, and first responders.

“The SRP simplifies communication during high-stress situations,” Guinn emphasized. “Everyone knows their role, which minimizes confusion and maximizes safety.”

Many districts have integrated SRP into their safety plans through regular drills, training sessions, and community outreach efforts. Parents are also educated on the protocol to ensure they understand what to expect during an emergency.

The Northwest Bakersfield Consortium uses the SRP and other safety initiatives from the Coalition as a template to build a safety plan unique to their districts. Silver says working with first responders is key to making schools safer. 

“They’ve been phenomenal open dialog partners with us,” he said. “Having them present and working with our schools is invaluable.”

While California’s safety requirements provide a strong foundation, the collaborative efforts in Kern County highlight the power of community involvement. From law enforcement partnerships to district-wide adoption of SRP, Kern’s proactive approach is a testament to the region’s dedication to protecting its students.

“School safety is not just a school issue; it’s a community issue,” Guinn said. “The more we work together, the safer our schools become.”

More about the Safer Schools Coalition of Kern can be found HERE.