Police Chief Bradley on Active Shooter Response Training

There has been several news articles and discussions regarding local police departments preparedness in the event an active shooting should take place on school grounds.  Chief Bradley provided the following information regarding Upton’s active shooter response training.

The Upton Police Department conducts annual active shooter response training in the schools.  We have been conducting these training sessions annually for the past 10 years.  Officer Michael Lupachini is an active shooter response instructor and participates in training events throughout Central Massachusetts.  We are fortunate to have Officer Lupachini provide annual updates on technique and tactics to all of our staff members.  With the recent events in Newtown, CT, we have implemented changes to our lockdown program at Memorial School.  During the last school year we implemented a lockdown and safety plan at Memorial in six phases:

Phase I – Administrative procedural review and update

·         Terminology

·         Mechanics to initiate a lock down

·         Unlock procedures

·         Procedures for classroom areas

·         Procedures for non-classroom areas

                Phase II – Training for All Faculty and Staff Members

·         Review procedures

·         Answer questions

·         Provide plan for student training

Phase III – Parent forum – A parent forum was held at a Memorial School PTO meeting to outline the six phases of our plan

Phase IV – Student training was conducted by all teaches in an age appropriate manner

Phase V  – Run the Drill

·         Run the Drill with observers on each floor

·         Debriefing between Administration and Police

·         Review with Staff

Phase VI – Follow up Drills

Our safety plans continue to be updated at Nipmuc, BVT, and Memorial School.  Our lockdown protocol also encourages teachers to make decisions on whether to lock down or evacuate based on information regarding the incident.