When it comes to preventing school violence and keeping the students in your school system safe, you have options. Not all safety approaches involve unsettling equipment, a heavy surveillance environment, or training methods that scare rather than inspire safety. Modern training methods and equipment have focused on finding the right balance -- one that delivers both the highest standards of protection and the preservation of a peaceful educational environment.
In this post, we’ll discuss the ALICE drill training method. Backed by independent research, it has become an increasingly popular safety training option for school systems across the country.
What is ALICE Drill Training?
ALICE drill training is a proactive approach to emergencies at school. The ALICE drill method is designed to prepare teachers, staff, and students for the unthinkable—and to get them through emergencies, including intruder situations, alive.
The ALICE drill training method was developed by two former law enforcement officers and has been implemented in schools throughout the country. Its overarching goal is to prepare members of a school community for situations like armed intruder incidents.
What makes the ALICE drill training method unique is its emphasis on teaching quick decision-making skills, which are crucial during the critical time between becoming aware of an intruder and the arrival of law enforcement.
What Does ALICE Stand For?
The ALICE drill method is an acronym that stands for Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, and Evacuate. Below, we’ll break down each of these critical components.
Alert
In the ALICE drill training method, alertness means training students, staff, and teachers to recognize threats and quickly process how they should best react. Training on this step encourages school community members to resist the urge to pause in denial over the intruder event. Rather, individuals are taught to immediately begin taking steps toward securing their safety and the safety of others.
ALERT:
The ALICE organization states that “alert” is the period of time in which the school first becomes aware of the threat. A quick response time is critical to a safe outcome. The ALICE method emphasizes that the “alert” element means “overcoming denial” and “recognizing the signs of danger” while “receiving notifications about the danger from others.”
Lockdown
During the lockdown step of the ALICE drill training, students, staff, and teachers are trained in critical classroom barricade methods. They are shown effective ways of quickly deploying safety equipment, like emergency door locks and window shades. They will also be coached on best practices for preparing for either a) evacuation or b) counteraction. In this step, individuals are taught effective ways to protect themselves without drawing attention to themselves or others or creating an “easy target” for an attacker.
Inform
The “inform” step of the ALICE drill training method involves teaching participants to efficiently communicate information to key parties, such as other members of the school community and law enforcement, all in real-time. During an emergency intruder event, students, staff, and teachers will need to communicate information about the intruder’s location, potential movement, and actions. An update on the weapons an attacker has, the attacker’s potential course of action, or the attacker’s location on the school grounds can mean the difference between life and death in an emergency.
Counter
In simple terms, the “counter” stage of the ALICE drill training method focuses on teaching students, staff, and teachers what they should do if, in the decision between “fight or flight”, they determine they must “fight”. The counter stage focuses on coaching strategies for creating the maximum possible distance between the individual and the attacker. During this stage, individuals are also provided with training on potential methods of distraction that can be used to impede the attacker’s ability to aim effectively. Rather than focusing on confronting the attacker, the “counter” training stage centers around showing school community members how to minimize the potential dangers involved with coming into contact with an intruder.
Evacuate
Where “counter” focuses on the most effective methods if a school community member must “fight,” the “evacuate” ALICE drill training method stage focuses on what an individual should do if choosing “flight” is possible. In this training stage, students, teachers, and staff will learn to identify when it's safe to leave and will be shown safe evacuation techniques. Emphasis is placed on evacuating the area without attracting attention from the attacker. After this stage, members of the school community will understand how to navigate the building, break through doors or windows to escape, and use other practical survival techniques.
What is ALICE Training NOT?
Unlike traditional intruder drill training methods, ALICE is not simply a drill, and it doesn’t focus exclusively on lockdowns. Rather, it helps school community members identify when other measures, like evacuation or counteraction, are appropriate.
Why is ALICE Training Important for Schools?
While other training methods focus exclusively on lockdown methods, ALICE drills training imparts life-saving critical thinking skills. At Algonquin Regional High School in Northborough, Massachusetts, school resource officer Kevin Fruwirth shares his thoughts on the method:
“I don’t see any downside to ALICE itself because I think people’s safety and survival in serious situations are the most important thing,” Fruwirth said. “[ALICE] gives people skills and a mindset to use and to think for their own safety.”
Is ALICE Training Dangerous or Traumatizing?
ALICE drill training is delivered in under an hour, using an age-appropriate approach for each group of school community members. Research shows that the vast majority of students who receive training under the ALICE drill method feel that they would be more prepared for a potential intruder event, and either felt no less safe or felt more safe after taking part in ALICE drill training.
Find High-Quality School Safety Supplies with School Safety Solution
At School Safety Solution, our number one priority is ensuring the highest level of security and safety possible exists on your campus. That’s why we founded School Safety Solution: to keep you and your children safe by providing reliable, high-quality, and life-saving equipment. We understand that a minute can change everything. Our safety solutions are proactive in nature and simple to use in the event of a disaster.
If you would like to review your school’s safety and security equipment, the tools available to your school’s staff, or any other security considerations, we would love to assist you. We encourage you to call our team of safety experts at 888.733.0406 or contact us online at any time for more information.
