New Crisis Management System to Protect All K-12 Schools in Washington State; More Than 400 High Schools Now Protected; Middle and Elementary Schools Are Next.

OLYMPIA, Wash. -- The Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC) announced today that all participating high schools in the state, representing more than 400, are now protected by a crisis management system and the state's middle and elementary schools will soon have similar protection. The statewide system, available on laptop computers or via the Internet, will provide police, fire, and other first responders with instant access to more than 300 data points per facility, including emergency response plans, satellite and geospatial imagery, exterior and interior photos, floor plans, utility shut-offs, and hazardous material locations. The system will provide police, fire, and other emergency responders with critical facility information helping them to save lives and mitigate property damage.

The program is the result of a bill passed by the state legislature in 2003 that delegated WASPC the responsibility to create and operate a statewide Critical Incident Planning and Mapping System. The legislature originally spent $3.3 million to implement the first phase of this program and "digitally map" all the high schools in the state. An additional $4.5 million has been appropriated to initiate the first stage of the project involving the 1,275 middle and elementary schools. Once the state's school facilities are completed, the program will likely expand to other critical public facilities including courthouses, public office buildings, water treatment facilities and more.

Rep. John Lovick (D-Mill Creek) who spearheaded the initiative along with Sen. Joe Zarelli (R-Vancouver) in 2003 is encouraged by the progress of the project. "Washington state is leading the way to protect students and schools from all types of emergencies," said Rep. Lovick. "By putting this program in place, the state is giving emergency responders the tools they need to quickly and effectively do their jobs." Sen. Zarelli encourages other states to use Washington's model. "If other states had this crisis management system in place, it would go a long way to protect schools and other critical infrastructure from natural and man-made disasters." Other Washington state legislators are on record as supporting the program.

The system has already been tested. In September 2003 at Lewis and Clark High School in Spokane, the system helped emergency responders contain a gunman in 10 minutes and safely evacuate more than 2,000 students in just 20 minutes.

"What emergency responders need most during an emergency is information," said Don Pierce, executive director of WASPC. "This system gives police, fire and other first responders instant access to critical information so they can decide how best to respond to an emergency when seconds count."

About WASPC

WASPC is an acronym for the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs. The association was founded in 1963 and consists of executive and top management personnel from law enforcement agencies statewide. WASPC is the only association of its kind in the nation combining representatives from local, state, and federal law enforcement into a single body, working toward a common goal.

WASPC's function is to provide specific materials and services to all law enforcement agencies in the state, members and non-members alike. The 1975 legislature made WASPC a legal entity designating the association a "combination of units of local government." WASPC regularly partners with other organizations and agencies to assist with and enhance efforts regarding public safety.