School Safety Resources

The Pennsylvania State Police works with parents, students, and school staff to keep our school districts safe and secure. Below are several popular programs and resources offered at no cost by PSP.

Active Shooter Preparedness Training, “Run, Hide, Fight”: PSP offers a classroom-based presentation designed to prepare individuals in the event they find themselves in an active shooter situation. By discussing different mental strategies and response tactics, individuals will be better prepared to act and react during an active shooter event. Active shooter statistics, trends, and real incidents are discussed.  Most importantly, learn the basics of the federally suggested actions of “Run, Hide, Fight.” Due to its content, this presentation may be most appropriate for school staff and administration.

Contact your local PSP Community Services Officer in your area to schedule a presentation or contact the PSP Domestic Security Section via email at ra-pspoffdomesticsecurity@pa.gov.

Cyberbullying and other safety presentations for students: Upon request, PSP Community Services Officers offer no cost training aimed at making our schools safer for students and staff. Topics include cyberbullying, internet/social media safety, drug and alcohol awareness, and driver education. Contact your local PSP Community Services Officer in your area to schedule a presentation.

Pennsylvania State Police Risk and Vulnerability Assessment Team (RVAT): The Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Domestic Security Division, is responsible for administering the RVAT program.  The RVAT program was established to provide in-depth security vulnerability assessments, along with recommendations to improve the security posture of any facility, public or private, within the Commonwealth.

The RVAT is comprised of State Troopers specifically trained on assessment procedures related to physical security, explosive effects on structural design, threat analysis, and practical target hardening techniques.  All RVAT members are certified as Physical Security Professionals (PSP) through ASIS, a preeminent organization for security professionals with 38,000 members worldwide.  These free assessments  will identify practical steps that can be taken to better protect each facility.

Facilities commonly assessed by RVAT include:  Schools/Universities, Office Buildings, Warehouses, Commercial Buildings, Utility/Power Plants, Malls/Shopping Centers, Arenas/Stadiums, Amusement Parks, Fairgrounds, Hotels, Courthouses, Houses of Worship, Bridges/Tunnels, and Special Events.  If you would like additional information or to schedule a Risk and Vulnerability Assessment, please contact the PSP RVAT by email or the PSP Domestic Security Section at 717-346-4085.