Shooter drill held at Buffalo
BUFFALO TWP — Teachers in the Freeport School District had safety training reinforced with an active aggressor lockdown drill at Buffalo Elementary School.
More than 140 staff members watched law enforcement techniques Thursday in a lockdown situation to see what actions occur from a perspective other than their own.
Officers from the state police, the Butler County Sheriff’s Department, the Armstrong County Sheriff’s Department, the Buffalo Township Police and the Freeport Police participated.
Groups of school staff rotated through four observation sites to watch six scenarios play out.
Safety drills in the past year have involved students and staff, with a priority on what is done in classrooms during a lockdown.
“I think it helps alleviate a lot of stress ... especially with what happened at Franklin Regional,” said learning support teacher Dana Mantini. “We’re seeing how we’re reacting as a team.”
In April, more than 20 people were stabbed by a student at Franklin Regional High School in Westmoreland County.
As each of the six scenarios unfolded Thursday, police worked in rapid response to handle the situation. Wearing masks with goggles and armed with “simunition,” simulated ammunition that releases shell casings but shoots blanks, officers checked off classrooms one by one as a team.
“They check every room,” said Bob Rizik, director of safety and security for the school district. However, “they will not check rooms that are locked.”
In some instances, shots were fired. The sound echoed off the mostly bare hallways.
The last scenario included a standoff with an aggressor, with several dozen shots fired until the actor fell to the ground.
In some of the scenarios, hypothetical intruders gave up right away, while others fought back. Each scenario lasted 5 to 10 minutes.
“Time is the most important element,” Rizik said.
Rosie Kobelenske, a Buffalo Elementary teacher, said safety practices have evolved greatly since she started teaching in the district 22 years ago. Identification badges are important and knowing safety procedures is essential now.
“Things have changed through the years. We have the kids more involved. We do drills with them,” Kobelenske said. “You really need to think: How would you react?”
Being better safe than sorry is a motto more school districts are using now when it comes to campus safety. The Mars School District in spring held a similar drill, and the Butler School District plans to have active aggressor training this fall.
School begins in Freeport Tuesday.
