(Atlanta) — The Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) congratulates Dr. Richard Behrens, superintendent of the Towns County School System, and his staff for updating the district’s safety plan. The plan has been re-approved.

“Towns County may be a small district, but school officials have a big commitment to keeping children in all three schools safe from natural and man-made disasters,” says GEMA Director Charley English.

In 1999, legislation was passed that requires every public school in Georgia to develop and implement a wide-ranging safety plan that addresses acts of violence or terrorism, natural disasters, hazardous materials and radiological incidents. GEMA encourages schools to resubmit their plans every two years.

GEMA’s School Safety Unit provides services that help schools have a safe and secure school year. GEMA’s school safety coordinators offer training and technical assistance to educators, emergency management and public safety personnel. This training includes site surveys and safety audits, weapons screening, school bus safety, gangs, bullying, exercise design and bomb threat management. GEMA also has developed a model safety plan as a guide for local schools and helps them to develop their plans.

For more information on school safety or GEMA’s School Safety Unit, call GEMA toll-free in Georgia at 1-800-TRY-GEMA or visit www.gema.state.ga.us.

# # #

Post Office Box 18055 - Atlanta, Georgia 30316-0055
Phone (404) 635-7000 or toll-free in Georgia 1-800-TRY-GEMA - Fax (404)635-7205
www.gema.state.ga.us
www.georgia911.org