SMYRNA — The Delaware Emergency Management Agency is expanding its longstanding commitment to student security with the online Delaware School Safety Center.

Officials say the initiative reflects the state’s goal of providing safe learning environments for all students and school staffs.

The center is a user-friendly website (de.gov/demaschoolsafety) for training, resources and coordination for schools and families. It provides guidance and tools for safety planning and response efforts.

“Ensuring a safe learning environment for every Delaware student is a shared priority of the highest importance,” Delaware secretary of safety and homeland security Joshua Bushweller explained in a press release.

“This critical collaboration between first responders, school officials, parents, and students — supported by the integration of technology and emergency management expertise — will serve to strengthen our ongoing commitment to school safety.”

Established in 2012 after the passage of the Omnibus School Safety Act, Delaware’s Comprehensive School Safety Program laid the foundation for standardized, comprehensive emergency planning in all public and charter educational facilities.

The act established requirements for administrators to create safety plans and instill critical incident training, lockdown drills and tabletop exercises.

“The DSSC represents a collaborative effort to support educators and first responders, and to engage students and parents in building safe and resilient school communities,” stated DEMA director A.J. Schall.

The latest initiative continues Delaware’s landmark achievements in this arena.

The First State was the first to provide uniform aerial maps and digitized blueprints for its 19 public school districts and charter schools to ensure rapid law enforcement response during emergencies.

And, in 2023, SafeDE was launched, providing a safety and wellness suite with 24/7 anonymous reporting of safety concerns, as well as access to crisis resources.

Now, the School Safety Center will provide behavioral threat assessment training to school-based teams so they can address potential threats proactively.

Additionally, it will provide secure case management software to facilitate documentation, collaboration and follow-up throughout the assessment process.

As part of its mission, the initiative will include support for after-school events, law enforcement training and safety assessments, as well.

“The Delaware School Safety Center is designed to prevent school-based incidents by preparing the education community to work with community partners to effectively mitigate and manage crises,” according to Joey Melvin, the center’s executive director.