Educators, first responders, and community partners from across the region gathered Friday at the Tippecanoe County Fairgrounds – West Pavilion for the Stronger Together School Safety Summit, an event dedicated to advancing school safety through collaboration, professional training, and shared expertise.
The summit was sponsored by the Clinton County and Tippecanoe County School Safety Commissions with the support of the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) Office of School Safety, which has worked closely with districts statewide to provide guidance, resources, and training to strengthen school preparedness.
The day began with a keynote on Crisis Communication and Media Relations, presented by Sgt. Jeremy Piers, Captain Ronald Galaviz, and Sgt. John Perrine of the Indiana State Police. Their presentation underscored the importance of clear, accurate communication between schools, law enforcement, and media outlets during times of crisis.
Throughout the day, breakout sessions gave participants hands-on training in a wide range of topics: Stop the Bleed trauma response, internet safety for children, active shooter response protocols, weather preparedness, and school reunification planning. Mental health was also a major focus, with QPR Suicide Prevention training led by Stephanie Kozuch of Clinton Prairie School Corporation.
Afternoon sessions turned toward forward-looking challenges, including the use of artificial intelligence in crisis communication, cybersecurity strategies for schools working with lean budgets, and mass casualty triage procedures.
Dr. Jim Hanna, Superintendent of Rossville Consolidated School District, said the summit demonstrated the power of regional partnerships. “School safety is a shared responsibility,” Hanna said. “Events like this ensure that schools, first responders, and agencies like the IDHS Office of School Safety are aligned in our efforts to protect students and staff.”
Aaron Gilman, Safety & Security Manager at Tippecanoe School Corporation, added that the wide range of perspectives enriched the learning. “This summit reflects the spirit of collaboration our region is known for,” Gilman said.“When schools, law enforcement, public health, and state partners come together, we build a stronger foundation for safety.”
With presenters representing law enforcement, education, public health, and higher education, the Stronger Together School Safety Summit underscored the critical role of partnerships in preparing schools to face emergencies and protect students.
