The Safety Circuit

ASIS International is a community of security practitioners, their members represent virtually every industry in the public and private sectors, and organizations of all sizes. This episode of the podcast is part 1 of the ASIS School Security Standard that is to be released in 2025. What is discussed in this podcast is NOT a final product of the ASIS School Security Standard and is subject to chan...

In this episode, the hosts take a careful, fact-based look at the Covenant School tragedy, focusing solely on information from the official investigation to avoid speculation. They emphasize the profound loss of life and detail the background of the attacker, Audrey Hale, highlighting a deep local connection to the school, educational and employment history, and aspects of personal identity. Inves...

This episode explores Make Our Schools Safe , a nonprofit founded by Lori and Ilan Alhadeff after the tragic death of their daughter Alyssa in the 2018 Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting. Driven by personal loss and professional expertise, they created an organization focused on proactive school safety through a framework called POWER: Preparedness, Observation, Willingness to act, Educ...

In this special edition episode of The Safety Circuit , the hosts deliver a detailed, minute-by-minute breakdown of the Covenant School shooting timeline, based on the official investigative report. Building on a previous deep dive into the case summary, this episode reconstructs the attacker's movements, the unfolding violence, the initial school response, and the rapid arrival and interventi...

In this episode of The Safety Circuit , Alex and Ivy take a deep dive into ZeroNow, an organization founded in response to the Virginia Tech tragedy to transform school safety through a collective impact model. The episode explores how ZeroNow brings together educators, tech leaders, policymakers, and designers to drive systemic change across three pillars: ideas, innovation, and investment. Liste...

The Covenant Church and School Case Report - Part 1 - Introduction and Incident Summary In this special edition episode of The Safety Circuit , the hosts conduct a comprehensive, fact-based analysis of the Covenant School shooting that occurred on March 27, 2023, using the final investigative case summary from the Metro Nashville Police Department. The episode walks listeners through the attacker&...

This episode of The Deep Dive explores the K-12 School Shooting Database, a comprehensive project launched by David Redman to create a reliable historical record of gun-related incidents on school grounds dating back to 1966. Prompted by the lack of unified data following the Parkland shooting, the database uses a broad definition—counting any incident where a gun is fired, brandished with intent,...

In this episode of The Safety Circuit with Alex and Ivy , the hosts dive into the story and mission of Safe Schools for Alex , an organization born from the tragic loss of Alex Schachter in the 2018 Parkland school shooting. Founded by Alex’s father, Max Schachter, the organization has become a national force in school safety advocacy, combining deeply personal motivation with strategic action. Th...

In this episode of The Safety Circuit with Alex and Ivy , we dive into the third case study from the 2020 Averted School Violence Special Report — a chilling but powerful story from a New England middle school where a student's decision to speak up may have saved a life. Two 14-year-olds had developed a plan targeting another student, complete with a strategy to obtain firearms. Thankfully, a clas...

In this episode of The Safety Circuit, Alex and Ivy dive deep into Safer Watch, a mobile-based security platform designed to improve community safety and emergency response. The platform, created in response to the tragic Pulse nightclub shooting, connects individuals, first responders, and organizations to prevent violence and enhance communication during emergencies. Key features include anonymo...

In this episode, based off an article by Zach Jones, Alex & Ivy take a deep dive into a crucial topic for school safety professionals: how interactive mapping solutions can revolutionize emergency response, preparedness, and collaboration. From real-time situational awareness to evacuation planning and first responder coordination, we break down the benefits of moving beyond outdated blueprint...

In this episode Alex and Ivy explore a case study from the Averted School Violence Project, highlighting how a planned school attack was prevented. The case involved a freshman who meticulously planned a shooting, including a bomb threat and targeting the school resource officer, and shared his intentions with classmates. Two students eventually reported him, leading to swift intervention by schoo...

This episode explores a case study from the 2020 "School Resource Officers: Averted School Violence Report,"by Jeff Allison, Mo Canady, and Frank Straub. The discussion highlights a foiled attack by an 18-year-old who had been surveilling a school, planning a bombing and mass shooting, and had amassed weapons and extremist materials. The case was resolved thanks to school staff noticing...

In this episode Alex & Ivy explore the Averted School Violence (ASV) Database, a project designed to analyze and learn from cases where planned school attacks were successfully prevented. Originating from post-Sandy Hook recommendations, the database was initially funded by the Department of Justice and managed by the National Policing Institute before transitioning to Safe and Sound Schools i...

In this episode, Alex and Ivy, explore the work of Safe and Sound Schools, an organization dedicated to improving school safety through research-based initiatives. The hosts provide an overview of the organization's key programs, including the Averted School Violence Project, which focuses on identifying and preventing potential threats, and Bright Futures, which builds community partnerships...

In this episode Alex and Ivy discuss the critical work of Safe and Sound Schools, a nonprofit founded by Michelle Gay and Alyssa Parker, both mothers who lost their daughters in the Sandy Hook Elementary tragedy. Driven by personal loss, they created the organization to support school crisis prevention, response, and recovery, providing research-based resources to empower school communities. Safe...

In this episode Alex & Ivy discuss ReadyOp, a platform designed to enhance emergency response and community resilience by ensuring continuity of operations across various sectors, including utilities, hospitals, schools, and local governments. Beyond just responding to crises, ReadyOp proactively supports infrastructure stability, facilitates real-time communication, and enables personalized e...

In this episode Alex & Ivy explore the versatility of ReadyOp, a platform designed for high-pressure emergencies and everyday operational efficiency. It highlights how the system aids hospitals in patient tracking, businesses in team management, and large-scale events in security coordination. With features like real-time updates, task assignments, asset tracking, and encrypted communication,...

In the episode, Alex & Ivy explore ReadyOp. ReadyOp's core software is a secure web-based emergency preparedness and response platform designed to streamline communication and coordination in crises and daily operations. Developed by an Air Force fighter pilot, it prioritizes real-time information sharing, visual displays, and radio interoperability, allowing different agencies and individ...

In this episode Alex & Ivy explore the PASS (Partner Alliance for Safer Schools) guidelines, emphasizing that school safety is about proactive planning rather than just reacting to threats. It highlights how different schools can implement PASS based on their resources, with a rural elementary school focusing on clear policies, trained staff, and good communication, while an urban high school...

Alex & Ivy discuss the final layer of school security, focusing on the interior perimeter, including classrooms, hallways, libraries, and common areas. It emphasizes the importance of solid core classroom doors with interior locks, clear lockdown procedures, and regular drills to ensure preparedness. Beyond physical security, the discussion highlights the role of policies, people, and communic...

Alex & Ivy explore school safety beyond the usual headlines, focusing on the work of the Partner Alliance for Safer Schools (PASS). Founded in 2014, PASS brings together educators, security professionals, law enforcement, and architects to develop comprehensive, adaptable safety guidelines for K-12 schools. Their tiered security framework allows schools to implement safety measures based on th...

In this episode Alex & Ivy discuss the Partner Alliance for Safer Schools (PASS) and its comprehensive approach to school safety. PASS offers various partnership programs for individuals, businesses, and organizations, providing access to resources, training, and co-branding opportunities. The organization emphasizes a holistic approach to safety, covering physical security, cybersecurity, men...

In this episode Alex & Ivy discuss the PASS guidelines, which provide a comprehensive, research-backed approach to school safety. Unlike reactive measures, PASS emphasizes a proactive, layered security model tailored to each school’s unique needs. It avoids controversial recommendations like arming staff, instead focusing on practical strategies such as controlled access, clear signage, survei...

In this episode Alex & Ivy explore the impact of Critical Response Group (CRG) and its Coordinated Command Guides (CCGs), highlighting how they enhance emergency preparedness through detailed mapping and real-time communication. The discussion emphasizes CRG’s adaptability, envisioning its expansion into disaster relief, search and rescue, and pandemic response, with future integrations like A...