Story and photos by JEFFREY POWELL
WALTON COUNTY – Mass shootings seem to be an all too frequent occurrence in today’s society. Unfortunately, public schools are many times the targets for these horrific events. With this in mind the Walton County Sheriff’s Office has taken a proactive stance against such a tragedy by training School Resource Deputies (SRD) in a program referred to as A.L.I.C.E.. A.L.I.C.E. is an acronym for Alert, Lockdown, Initiate, Communicate and Evacuate. Over the past week SRD members have visited Walton County public schools and briefed teachers, administrators and non-instructional personnel about the program, which is intended to save lives.
“This is a training and cultural exercise and will go against a lot of your previous experience,” said Emerald Coast Technical College Principal Charlie Morse, who along with SRD Jeremy Fisher held the class. “Currently you are taught to hide under tables; this has to end. The bad guys are good at shooting people under tables; this must stop. We are dealing with the what-ifs, these are real life scenarios, we need to change our thinking.”
The A.L.I.C.E. program was developed shortly after a shooting incident in Columbine, Colo. The program is supported by the FBI, NYPD, FEMA and many other agencies. The idea of implementing the program locally was the brainchild of SRD Jeramy Fisher who attended a local A.L.I.C.E. instructor course certifying him to become an instructor himself. He initially heard about the program while attending a Florida Association of School Resource Officers meeting. Shortly after the Sandy Hook shooting Sheriff Michael Adkinson and Superintendent of Schools Carlene Anderson agreed to approve the program for the 2016-2017 school year.
“As I stand here today I see you all as family,” said Fisher. “The previous training had us hiding under tables and I thought there must be a better way. I went to the training and said this is what we need. This program can empower you to survive. You may have to be the first responder.”
In excess of 75 Maude Saunders employees attended the Aug. 8, program which included a mock-active shooter and a gripping video of the Columbine shooting. Attendees were instructed to become proactive and not become victims without putting up a fight.
“The school system has a great working relationship with the sheriff’s office,” said Security Task Force Chairman Jim Hicks. “Jeremy has spearheaded this program and it may not have happened without him. The program gives you options if you have an active shooter. This should get people’s attention.”