Kennedy Middle School – Eugene, OR

Kennedy Middle School Principal Charlie Smith described an armed intruder training at the southwest Eugene school as intense but positive. “Currently, when we do a lockdown, we’re in one until future notice,” Smith said. “With the new training, there is a component of common sense and to do what makes sense at the moment. If evacuating your building or classrooms makes sense, then do it. Being a passive victim is not in anyone’s best interest,” he added. The training is called ALICE, or Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate, and is based on guidelines from an a Ohio-based training company. The training is an attempt to help educators learn how to react to an armed intruder and move away from outdated safety procedures that for decades told teachers to lock all doors, turn off lights and hide during an emergency until law enforcement arrive. Read more