On Feb. 14, a former student, Nikolas Cruz, opened fire at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, killing 17 people. Cruz set off the fire alarm to draw students out of their classrooms before gunning down whomever he could.Cruzís actions have sparked a conversation among school officials in El Paso County School District 49 about whether they should consider changing the protocol for how to respond to fire alarms.Dave Watson, safety and security director for D 49, said his team has already begun having conversations with the Colorado Springs Fire Department and the Falcon Fire Protection District on the subject.ìIt is always a concern that someone could do that (pull the fire alarm),î he said. ìWe are depending on our staff members at the building to have the training and to react and make quick decisions. We are staying the course right now, but we have had that conversation and will continue to have it.îThose conversations are part of the ongoing research Watsonís team is doing about best practices regarding safety and security for the whole district, he said. In the future, that research will include study or focus groups comprised of students, parents, community members and other stakeholders about safety preparedness, Watson said.ìWe think it is important with the recent tragedies, especially in Parkland, to engage the community and talk about those things,î he said.
