| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Sara Robertson (Sara.Robertson2@mail.house.gov) |
Rep. Crawford Hosts School Safety and Bomb Threat Response Training Events
8/4/2022
Jonesboro — Representative Rick Crawford (AR-01) hosted a series of safety training events this week at Arkansas State University. Public school educators and administrators received threat management and active shooter preparedness, while private and public sector security professionals attended a course in Improvised Explosive Device (IED) search procedures. Crawford advocates in Congress for ‘hardening’ schools to block threats, and expanding Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) training.
“As a former Army EOD officer, I know full well the capabilities our front-line military bomb squads possess and the extensive training they receive. But I am also keenly aware of the threats of improvised explosive devices and other dangers on the home front, especially in our schools. One of the many lessons decision-makers must learn from the horrendous recent events in Uvalde Texas is that training must be ongoing and anticipate threats, rather than relying on the ad hoc response we see when law enforcement has not been prepared adequately,” said Rep. Crawford.
The event on Wednesday, August 3rd for educators was presented by the Department of Homeland Security – Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (DHS/CISA), in coordination with Rep. Crawford and Arkansas State University. The purpose of this event was to provide school officials and employees the opportunity to receive firsthand expertise, situational awareness, and additional information that DHS/CISA provides for school safety preparedness efforts.
More than 100 people representing 23 school districts and three two-year colleges attended Wednesday’s event. The School Safety and Security Workshop included three presentations from intelligence agency officials and concluded with a Q & A panel.
“Today we are here because we must discuss and continue to advocate for the priority that all of us, as parents, share: the safety of our children at school. Our children should not have to live in a country where they may one day confront an active shooter or discover an IED, and it is our goal as policymakers, to work with federal officials, law enforcement, and school administrators to mitigate any future violence and loss of life,” Crawford concluded.
CISA also hosted an IED Search Procedures Courses on Tuesday, August 2nd and will be hosting an additional session on Thursday, August 4th. These courses are for public safety officers, emergency managers, security officers, law enforcement officers, critical infrastructure owners and operators, and private sector security professionals.
In Washington, DC, Crawford co-chairs the House EOD Caucus and advocates for bombing prevention and resource allocation for our troops, our law enforcement, and our homeland officials.
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