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Date: 9/13/2022
CHICOPEE – Police Chief Patrick Major and Fire Chief Daniel Stamborski presented overviews of the Chicopee Public School’s safety protocols during the School Committee’s Sept. 7 meeting.
Major opened his presentation by discussing ongoing concerns about traffic and speeding in school zones. After hearing numerous public complaints on the issues, Major shared that the police are dedicating more enforcement to those areas during student’s arrival and dismissal windows.
“I’ve had overtime shifts out there working specifically in the school neighborhoods for the last few weeks, before and after school, to try and do some education and enforcement … Even if they are just in the neighborhood, we want to make sure the students and buses are safe getting in and out of the schools,” said Major.
Major also highlighted school safety as a pressing topic. The police chief said he has worked with interim Superintendent Alvin Morton since 2017 in establishing safety programs for the school district. The duo’s collaboration led to the inclusion of an enhanced lockdown program that is spearheaded by the Chicopee Police Department and the Massachusetts State Police.
“It’s the same program that’s offered throughout many cities and towns in Western Mass. through a joint collaboration with the state police … It’s training out what to do in the event of a hostile intruder, active shooter and also for a shelter in place,” said Major.
The training protocols continue to receive positive reactions from teachers in the district, according to Major. The enhanced program includes live drills that take place during professional development days and the inclusion of two deputies who are assigned as a direct response team in schools. The Police Department also trains each new hire on the layout of each school facility in case of a response situation.
“That way if something does happen, they aren’t going into an environment they don’t know … if an event does happen, we aren’t going into it cold,” said Major.
Major said the Police Department is also working closely with the Fire Department. The two first responder entities set up a joint unified response to safety situations, which includes the adoption of a National Fire Protection Association guideline that represents a new state wide standard. Major expressed his beliefs that the protocols have enhanced the district’s safety measures.
“We’ve come a long way from where we were when it comes to preparedness,” said Major.
Stamborski said that he and Major completed training on the state’s new standard before it was officially indoctrinated. After the City Council approved the purchases of ballistic vests, helmets and other gear, Stamborski said the Fire Department is well equipped to handle a safety situation.
Stamborski noted the importance of the Police and Fire departments working in collaboration. He said both agencies continue to train and will look to expand their training efforts during the school year.
The fire chief additionally reiterated the importance of the fire drills that occur during the opening days of school. Stamborski stressed that these common drills are an important measure in ensuring preparation during hazardous situations.
“We’re not there to try and disrupt your first few days of school, this is state law. We have to do it the first three days,” said Stamborski.
The School Committee will meet again on Sept. 21.