School Safety & Security

Standard Response Protocol (SRP)

A Simple, Consistent Approach to School Safety

At Loup County Public Schools, the safety and well-being of our students, staff, and community are our highest priorities. To help ensure a coordinated response during emergencies, our school uses the Standard Response Protocol (SRP).

The SRP provides a uniform, planned, and practiced approach for responding to a variety of situations, including weather events, fires, accidents, medical emergencies, intruders, and other threats to personal safety. By using common language and clearly defined actions, students, staff, families, and emergency responders can better understand what is happening and what steps to take.

Developed through collaboration among educators, first responders, public safety professionals, and communities, the SRP is research-based and continually updated to reflect best practices in school safety.

One Language. One Response. One Community.

A major benefit of the SRP is that it creates a shared understanding for everyone involved.

• Students benefit from consistent expectations and procedures throughout their school experience.
• Staff members have a clear framework for training, practicing, and responding during emergencies.
• Families and community members become familiar with the same safety language used in schools.
• First responders have a predictable system that supports a more effective response during an incident.

Regular practice and familiarity with these protocols help ensure that everyone knows what to do when seconds matter.

The Five SRP Actions

The Standard Response Protocol is action-based, meaning it focuses on the appropriate response to a situation rather than a specific type of emergency. The SRP uses five key actions:

Hold

Directive: “In Your Room or Area.”

Hold is used when hallways need to remain clear. Students and staff stay in their current locations until the Hold is lifted.

Secure

Directive: “Get Inside. Lock Outside Doors.”

Secure is used to protect everyone inside the building from an outside concern. Exterior doors are secured while normal activities may continue indoors.

Lockdown

Directive: “Locks, Lights, Out of Sight.”

Lockdown is used when there is an immediate threat inside the building. Classroom doors are locked, lights are turned off, and occupants move out of sight while remaining quiet.

Evacuate

Directive: May include a location.

Evacuate is used to move students and staff from one location to another, either within the building or to an outside location. Directions will be provided regarding where to relocate.

Shelter

Directive: State the Hazard and Safety Strategy.

Shelter is used when protection from a specific hazard is needed. Instructions will identify the type of hazard and the safety actions required.

Preparedness Through Practice

Safety is a shared responsibility. Through regular drills and ongoing training, Loup County Public Schools works to ensure students and staff are prepared, confident, and able to respond appropriately during an emergency.

For more information about the Standard Response Protocol, visit The “I Love U Guys” Foundation at https://iloveuguys.org.