A wave of security threats involving schools and universities has heightened everyone’s awareness of the potential dangers. The outside world is changing and it may well impact upon us as a school community. While the Halifax Grammar School remains a remarkably safe and secure environment for our students, faculty, and staff, we have taken steps to ensure that the school stays that way. We have also conducted two different security audits over the past 2 years and have developed a new immediate response plan in the event of a crisis event.
The HGS Crisis Response Plan, developed in November 2006, starts with the guiding principle the School acts “to protect people first, then property” in the event of any crisis. The policy recognizes that traditional fire drill evacuation routines are no longer sufficient in terms of emergency response. It also assumes that security threats may come in a variety of forms ranging from a natural disaster like a hurricane to a health crisis or epidemic to threats of violence from an unwanted intruder.
Our Crisis Response Plan was developed based upon a careful analysis of best practices in other schools, encompassing both school security and emergency measures plans. Our first Security Audit report in February 2005 identified many safety and security issues focusing on the two buildings on Tower Road and Atlantic Street. A second series of Security Audits was conducted the Halifax Regional Police in December of 2006 zeroed in more specifically on front entrance security at both campuses. All members of our School Leadership Team are prepared to take action should any such situation arise, heaven forbid, in the immediate future.
Since the most recent audit, we have revised our Crisis Response Plan and begun to make changes to strengthen campus security. Students, parents and staff may rest assured that HGS will be vigilant in ensuring that HGS continues to be a safe and secure learning environment.
Please contact HGS Communications at hgs.ns.ca to request a copy of the HGS Crisis Response Plan.