Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
3. Presentation by Karen Fairley with the Center for Safer Schools <br /> Facilitator Bryan introduced Karen Fairley from the Center for Safer Schools, sharing her <br /> biography with the Task Force. <br /> Karen Fairley with the Center for Safer Schools addressed the Task Force and expressed <br /> her enthusiasm with the establishment of the Task Force, noting that she was not aware <br /> of any similar effort ever before in North Carolina. She shared that 2023 was the loth <br /> anniversary of the Center, and that she joined the Center in 2016, becoming its Executive <br /> Director in 2021. She noted her passion to make the 1.35 million kids in North Carolina <br /> schools safer. <br /> Ms. Fairley shared a PowerPoint document (attached to this summary for reference <br /> purposes) as part of her presentation to the Task Force. She discussed the Mission, <br /> Vision and Values of the Center. She referenced Prevention, Mitigation, Response and <br /> Recovery, noting that a majority of the Center's efforts were focused on Prevention and <br /> Mitigation. There is definitely a need for Response and Recovery, but focusing on <br /> Prevention and Mitigation hopefully limited Response and Recovery. She added that <br /> every school safety event presents new issues, questions, and concerns and brings <br /> attention to things that were previously missed. <br /> Ms. Fairley shared information regarding the delineation of North Carolina into eight <br /> regions, and the plan for the Center to utilize eight school safety specialists in the regions <br /> to support the respective school districts. She noted that all the areas were different and <br /> schools were different, and safety in Dare County where students are transported by <br /> ferries is different from safety in the NC mountains. <br /> Ms. Fairley moved forward to discuss Physical Security and Design, noting Crime <br /> Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED). She highlighted the need for <br /> emergency management and fire officials to build relationships with schools. Ms. Fairley <br /> also discussed the use of natural access control, demarcation of school property, natural <br /> surveillance, landscaping, and windows and lighting as tools to promote safety. <br /> Ms. Fairley then addressed Vulnerability Assessments and Comprehensive Safety Plans <br /> and the need to conduct reviews and updates on an annual basis to address changes <br /> and include up to date information, including schematics which are required by state law. <br /> Ms. Fairley shared information and statistics from the Anonymous Reporting System, <br /> noting definite concerns related to bullying/cyberbullying and suicide. She also <br /> addressed Threat Assessment Teams, as well as the need for mass communication to <br /> stakeholders in preparation for potential events. <br /> Ms. Fairley referenced the four phases of emergency management, State Emergency <br /> Response Application (SERA) and School Risk Management Plans (SRMP). She noted <br />