CHELMSFORD PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Jay Lang, Ed.D., Superintendent

Memorandum
To: Members of the School Committee
From: Jay Lang, Ed.D., Superintendent of Schools
Date: April 8, 2016
Re: Presentation: Options Based (ALICE) Response Protocol

I have invited members of the district’s options based (ALICE) response team and police
Chief Spinney and members of his command staff to join us Tuesday evening for a brief
presentation/discussion on the district’s move to an options based response protocol in
certain emergency response scenarios. I have attached a copy of the PowerPoint that
will be reviewed that evening. A short video that was produced with the assistance of
Tom Peterson and Chelmsford Telemedia this summer will also be shared at the
meeting.

230 North Road • Chelmsford, MA 01824 PHONE: 978.251.5100 • FAX 987.251.5110

 Safety Protocol
PASSIVE TO PROACTIVE RESPONSE
ALERT, LOCKDOWN, INFORM, COUNTER, EVACUATE

Chelmsford Public Schools

What is ALICE?
ALICE provides preparation and a plan for individuals and
organizations on how to proactively handle the threat of an
aggressor or intruder.
•Proactive - options based approach to active intruder
situations
•Provides additional options beyond traditional lockdown
•Assumes every event is not the same
•ALICE is not sequential
•Increases odds of survival
•Research based
ALERT = Initial Awareness
•Alert is your first notification of a threat
•Received through sensory input
•Examples - running, loud noises, text, emergency
notification
LOCKDOWN (Lockdown +)
•Enhanced lockdown (differs from traditional
lockdown)
Why teach enhanced lockdown:
•Proactive strategy (no longer sitting and waiting)
•Fortifying the location to stop or slow entry
•Use of environmental items to deter: desks, chairs
INFORM - What, Where, When, Who
Pass on real time information through:
•PA System
•Phones
•Texts
•Radios
COUNTER - interference
What is Counter?
It is not: Fighting
It is:
•Taking back control
•Age appropriate
•Personal choice
Interruption tools: noise, movement, distractions
EVACUATE
Having the option to flee the location based on information
received
Why evacuate?
•Removes as many potential targets
•Moving away from aggressor
•Permission to run, especially outside
•Evacuate to a rally point
 Chelmsford Public Schools
Timeline for Implementation
•October 2017: ALICE exploration committee formed
•April 2018: 20 CPS staff trained as ALICE Certified Instructors along
with 10 members of CPD/CFD
•June-August 2018: Staff participate in online eLearning Training
•September 2018: Community Outreach
•September 2018: Staff PD day - ALICE drills/scenarios in collaboration
with CPD/CFD
•September-January 2019: Continued Staff PD, Train students, conduct
safety drills
•View ALICE video
•Questions and Answer session