Tegan Hanlon: The Anchorage School District is using a new approach to train students, teachers how to respond to attacks
What does ALICE stand for?
A – Alert: Sound an alarm using plain and specific language to alert others to the danger.
L – Lockdown: Move to a secure location, lock the door and take action to better barricade the room and begin preparing for other strategies if needed, such as evacuate or, as a last resort counter.
I – Inform: Share the violent intruder’s location and direction as often as possible using any means necessary (such as the intercom, handheld radios, text, cell phone or other means) so that everyone on site has access to the information. The goal is that knowledge is the key to survival.
C – Counter: This is a last resort. Interrupt the physical act of the violent intruder by making noise or other distraction with the intent of reducing the intruder’s ability to execute his/her plan. This could mean throwing available objects to hinder the intruder’s aim. This is a last resort when the violent intruder is in the immediate vicinity and individuals are unable to escape.
E – Evacuate: When it is safe to do so, remove yourself from the danger zone. The goal is to get as many people away from the situation as possible. ALICE training provides techniques for safer and more strategic evacuations that will make the need to counter less likely. Individuals are encouraged to always evacuate when possible.
The strategies do not need to be completed in order and should not be considered a checklist. Staff and students will rely on the information at hand and their own judgment to determine the safest course of action.
The school district is holding an informational meeting on ALICE at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at the ASD Education Center, 5530 E. Northern Lights Boulevard.
Additional communication will be made with parents when the training is scheduled to take place in their child’s school.
The ALICE Training Institute response was vetted by the Anchorage Police Department, Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson and is in use in other school districts throughout the state.
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907-742-4000
ASD Education Center
5530 E Northern Lights Blvd.
Anchorage, AK 99504-3135
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