The school year just ended, and already officials are working to make next year safer for Georgia’s more than 1.6 million students. Although schools remain relatively safe, students face a variety of risks, from tornadoes and other natural disasters to the threat of an intruder on campus. Moreover, it seems like every day there is news about a violent episode on a campus, which raises concerns for our children and the safety of their school. Therefore, it is imperative that Georgia schools are prepared to face any crisis.

That’s why the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA), in partnership with the FBI, the U.S. Attorney’s Office — Middle District of Georgia and the Byron Police Department presented, “Safety In Our Schools: Education, Prevention, and Management” on June 8-10, 2010, at the Byron Municipal Complex in Byron, Ga. More than 300 education professionals, emergency managers and public safety personnel heard from school safety experts on how to handle natural and man-made threats during 11 workshops that covered a range of issues, including severe weather, school violence and cybersafety.

“Whether it’s an act of violence or a natural disaster, school safety affects the entire community,” says GEMA/Homeland Security Director Charley English. “The lessons learned at this conference will enable school leaders and law enforcement to better plan for and respond to any emergency.”

Nicole Nowlen, a Columbine High School shooting survivor, shared her experiences at the opening session. Other speakers included FBI Supervisory Senior Resident Agent Kevin L. Foust, who investigated the Virginia Tech shooting, and Enterprise High School Principal Rick Rainer, who described the response to and recovery from the EF-4 tornado that devastated the building and claimed eight lives on March 1, 2007.

GEMA’s School Safety Unit provides services that help schools have a safe and secure school year. GEMA’s school safety coordinators offer training and technical assistance to educators, emergency management and public safety personnel. This includes site surveys and safety audits and classes on weapons screening, school bus safety, gangs, bullying, exercise design and bomb threat management. They also respond to school crises. For more information on school safety or GEMA’s School Safety Unit, call GEMA at (404) 635-7000 or visit www.gema.ga.gov. For more information on specific risks in your area and how to prepare for them, contact your local emergency management