(Atlanta) - The Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) congratulates Melissa W. Mathis, superintendent of the Walker County School System, and her staff for updating the district's safety plan. The plan has been re-approved.

"Children are our most vulnerable population, and whether their risk is from an intruder, tornado or wildfire, we cannot take school safety for granted," says GEMA Director Charley English. "GEMA applauds Walker County school officials for collaborating with first responders, scheduling training classes on topics such as Internet safety and bullying, and re-evaluating the safety plans for all 15 schools."

"We are very grateful that GEMA has partnered with Walker County Schools to provide quality up-to-the-minute guidance and support for our safety initiatives," says Mathis. "GEMA's wide range planning and high level expertise and knowledge cause us to know we are doing all we can to provide for the safety and security of our students.

"GEMA always stands ready to assist," she continues. "We especially appreciate the numerous workshops offered to various groups, including administrators and parents, that span the far-ranging issues of importance, from traffic patterns to Internet safety. GEMA provides and invaluable service to our community."

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. Plans must be reassessed every two years. This is the second time the Walker County School System has successfully met the requirements of the law.

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.