Parkland Safety Administrator Dr. Anthony Naradko provided a school safety and security update to the board at a recent meeting.

He reported Pennsylvania Act 44, which took effect in June, specifies active assailant protocol for employees to follow and lists the school safety coordinator’s responsibilities.

Naradko noted Parkland has had a safety coordinator for five years and is already doing most of the requirements spelled out in Act 44.

He said the active assailant protocol, however, introduces new training with the key words “Run, Hide, Fight.”

“We were used to the lockdown,” Naradko. “Now they’re saying this isn’t enough.

“All employees will be trained by state police. It focuses on decision making and mitigating injury.

“We want to empower our staff members.”

He said in the past most training assumed the attacker was a shooter. Now, the individual is referred to as an assailant, as he or she might be using other weapons such as knives or even a truck to cause harm.

Naradko said employees are trained in situational awareness to pay attention to the surroundings.

Before deciding to run away or evacuate, staff are told to evaluate the area first.

“Make sure you’re sending children out to a safe environment,” Naradko said.

The hide and lock-down elements have been in place for years, and schools have incorporated them in training.

The fight component involves any form of resistance. Staff could physically tackle the assailant or throw objects at the person.

“It is a deep, personal decision,” Naradko said.

He noted the “Run, Hide, Fight” directives came from the federal government and state police.

The safety coordinator’s responsibilities include overseeing school resources officers and security guards; reviewing district procedures and their compliance with federal regulations; and coordinating training for students and staff.

The safety coordinator is also advised to evaluate the needs for safety and security issues and present them to the administration for inclusion in the budget.

Naradko said the district will have two security drills this year.