The Wake County Public School System is set to replace its long-standing 'code red' alert system with a new, nationally recognized safety framework. The change aims to provide clearer, more direct instructions for students and staff during emergencies, from medical situations to severe weather threats.
This new framework, known as the Standard Response Protocol, will be implemented across all district schools for the upcoming school year. Training for administrators has already begun, with broader training for school staff, students, and parents scheduled to start in March.
Key Takeaways
- Wake County schools are replacing the 'code red' system with the Standard Response Protocol (SRP).
- The new system uses five clear, action-based commands: Hold, Secure, Lockdown, Evacuate, and Shelter.
- The protocol is paired with a Standard Reunification Method to safely reunite students with parents after an emergency.
- Training for school communities will begin in March, with full implementation next school year.
A Shift from 'Code Red' to Clearer Commands
The decision to move away from color-coded alerts like 'code red' reflects a national trend toward plain language in emergency response. The new system, created by the school safety nonprofit I Love U Guys Foundation, was officially adopted by the Wake school board in August.
District officials believe that using simple action words will reduce confusion and improve response times during critical incidents. The goal is for everyone in a school building, from a kindergartener to a high school senior, to understand exactly what to do when an announcement is made.
District administrators received initial instruction in October during a "train the trainer" session. They will now be responsible for disseminating this training throughout their respective schools, ensuring a consistent and unified approach across the entire district.
What is the Standard Response Protocol?
The Standard Response Protocol (SRP) is a system designed to standardize the language used during school emergencies. Instead of relying on ambiguous codes, it uses specific actions that are easy to understand and follow, ensuring a predictable response for students, staff, and first responders.
Understanding the Five New Protocols
The core of the new system is built around five specific directives. Each command corresponds to a unique situation and dictates a clear set of actions for everyone inside the school. Most of these actions are similar to previous procedures but are now standardized under new terminology.
The five measures are:
- Hold: This is a new directive for the district. It is used to keep hallways clear, often during a medical emergency. Students and staff remain in their classrooms or designated areas, and instruction continues as normal.
- Secure: This command is given when there is a threat or hazard outside the school building. All exterior doors are locked, and everyone gets inside. School life continues inside the building, but no one enters or leaves.
- Lockdown: This is the most serious directive, used when there is a threat inside the school. The protocol is to lock classroom doors, turn off lights, and move out of sight.
- Evacuate: This command is used to move people from one location to another, such as in the case of a fire or bomb threat. The announcement may include a specific evacuation point.
- Shelter: This is used for environmental hazards like a tornado or hazmat spill. The announcement will specify the hazard and the appropriate safety strategy, such as 'Shelter for Tornado; Drop, Cover, and Hold.'
A Standardized Plan for Reuniting Families
Paired with the emergency actions is the Standard Reunification Method (SRM), a detailed process for safely returning students to their parents or guardians after a major incident that requires early dismissal or evacuation.
Kendrick Scott, the district's senior director of the Office of Security, explained that drills will be a crucial part of perfecting this process. "The drilling is probably going to be the most important piece," Scott said. "I think practice is what's going to really drive it."
The Reunification Steps
- Families arrive and are greeted.
- Parents complete a card with their and their child's information.
- Identification is verified by staff.
- Parents are directed to a specific reunification area.
- Staff members, or "runners," retrieve students one by one to ensure every child is accounted for and released to the correct person.
This methodical approach is designed to maintain order and, most importantly, ensure the safety and accountability of every student.
Addressing Concerns About Speed and Logistics
During a recent presentation to the school board's safety committee, some members raised concerns about the practicality of the reunification plan. Board Member Sam Hershey pointed out that the process of verifying IDs and using runners to retrieve students individually could be very slow, particularly at a large high school. "I could see that taking hours," Hershey said.
Scott acknowledged the concern but emphasized that safety must take precedence over speed.
"It's not the fastest process, I see what you're saying. But in this case, I'd rather be slow and make sure students are left with the correct parent than speed up a process just for the sake of being faster."
He added that while the plan defaults to paper cards to ensure it works even if electronic systems fail, the district may adjust its methods based on drills. In a real emergency, Scott also noted that many teachers would likely allow students to use their phones to contact their families for reassurance.
Another logistical challenge discussed was traffic control. Superintendent Robert Taylor noted that in past incidents, a flood of parents arriving at a school has blocked access for emergency vehicles. Scott said the district is working on clearer communication to inform parents when it is—and is not—necessary to come to the school. He also mentioned that police are aware of this potential issue and often dispatch officers specifically for traffic management during a school emergency.