Who's Left Out When Disaster Strikes? School Safety Blind Spots
S4E54
**Introduction:**
In this compelling episode, we delve deep into the critical yet often overlooked aspects of school safety, focusing on the unique challenges faced by students with special needs during emergency situations. Joining us is Stefan Bjes, a seasoned professional with extensive experience in law enforcement and campus safety, who shares his journey and the personal drive behind his advocacy for inclusive safety plans in educational settings.
Dive into the essential conversation about school safety for students with special needs with Stefan Bjes on the Stop the Killing Podcast. Uncover key insights and strategies for inclusive emergency preparedness.
**Key Highlights:**
- **Stefan Bjes's Experience:** From his career in law enforcement to his current role as the assistant director of campus safety, Bjes brings a wealth of knowledge and personal insight into creating safer educational environments for all students, especially those with special needs.
- **Addressing Sensory Needs:** The episode illuminates the critical need for acknowledging and accommodating the sensory sensitivities of students during emergency drills, highlighting the profound impact of stimuli like sound and light.
- **Practical Solutions for Inclusion:** Through the discussion of noise-canceling headphones and personalized sensory kits, Bjes offers actionable advice for schools to better support students during drills, underscoring the importance of tailored safety plans.
- **Physical Special Needs and Emergency Drills:** The conversation explores the obstacles students with physical special needs face during emergencies, critically examining traditional "area of refuge" policies and advocating for proactive evacuation strategies.
- **The Vital Role of School Resource Officers:** Bjes emphasizes the significance of SROs in developing inclusive safety drills, stressing the need for their specialized training in meeting the needs of diverse student populations.
- **Legislative Advances:** Insights into the recent legal progress aimed at integrating accommodations for safety drills into Individual Education Plans (IEPs), with specific mention of Illinois as a leading example.
**Additional Resources:**
- School Safety Drills for Students with Special Needs: [Campus Safety Magazine Article](https://www.campussafetymagazine.com/news/school-safety-drills-for-students-with-special-needs/)
- Interacting with Autism: A School Resource Officer Approach: [Campus Safety Magazine Article](https://www.campussafetymagazine.com/news/interacting-with-autism-a-school-resource-officer-approach/)
- Wandering and Autism: What Cops Need to Know: [Calibre Press Article](https://www.calibrepress.com/2020/04/what-cops-need-to-know-about-autism-wandering/)
-What Cops Need to Know about Autism: [Calibre Press Article](https://www.calibrepress.com/2019/08/copsandautism/)
- For Officer, Missing Kids with Autism Hits Home: [Missing Kids Blog Post](https://www.missingkids.org/blog/2020/for-officer-missing-kids-with-autism-hits-home)
- Stefan Bjes's Website: http://www.bluelinespectrumsafety.com
- About Stefan Bjes: [Blue Light Consultants Bio](https://www.blue-light-consultants.com/about-us/stefan-bjes-bio)
WANT THE VIDEOS HEAD TO YOUTUBE @sarahferrismedia
And if you are wanting AD FREE | EARLY ACCESS | BONUS CONTENT
HIT THE BANNER ON APPLE PODCASTS TO SUBSCRIBE
OR SUPPORT US:
Who's Left Out When Disaster Strikes? School Safety Blind Spots
S4E54
**Introduction:**
In this compelling episode, we delve deep into the critical yet often overlooked aspects of school safety, focusing on the unique challenges faced by students with special needs during emergency situations. Joining us is Stefan Bjes, a seasoned professional with extensive experience in law enforcement and campus safety, who shares his journey and the personal drive behind his advocacy for inclusive safety plans in educational settings.
Dive into the essential conversation about school safety for students with special needs with Stefan Bjes on the Stop the Killing Podcast. Uncover key insights and strategies for inclusive emergency preparedness.
**Key Highlights:**
- **Stefan Bjes's Experience:** From his career in law enforcement to his current role as the assistant director of campus safety, Bjes brings a wealth of knowledge and personal insight into creating safer educational environments for all students, especially those with special needs.
- **Addressing Sensory Needs:** The episode illuminates the critical need for acknowledging and accommodating the sensory sensitivities of students during emergency drills, highlighting the profound impact of stimuli like sound and light.
- **Practical Solutions for Inclusion:** Through the discussion of noise-canceling headphones and personalized sensory kits, Bjes offers actionable advice for schools to better support students during drills, underscoring the importance of tailored safety plans.
- **Physical Special Needs and Emergency Drills:** The conversation explores the obstacles students with physical special needs face during emergencies, critically examining traditional "area of refuge" policies and advocating for proactive evacuation strategies.
- **The Vital Role of School Resource Officers:** Bjes emphasizes the significance of SROs in developing inclusive safety drills, stressing the need for their specialized training in meeting the needs of diverse student populations.
- **Legislative Advances:** Insights into the recent legal progress aimed at integrating accommodations for safety drills into Individual Education Plans (IEPs), with specific mention of Illinois as a leading example.
**Additional Resources:**
- School Safety Drills for Students with Special Needs: [Campus Safety Magazine Article](https://www.campussafetymagazine.com/news/school-safety-drills-for-students-with-special-needs/)
- Interacting with Autism: A School Resource Officer Approach: [Campus Safety Magazine Article](https://www.campussafetymagazine.com/news/interacting-with-autism-a-school-resource-officer-approach/)
- Wandering and Autism: What Cops Need to Know: [Calibre Press Article](https://www.calibrepress.com/2020/04/what-cops-need-to-know-about-autism-wandering/)
-What Cops Need to Know about Autism: [Calibre Press Article](https://www.calibrepress.com/2019/08/copsandautism/)
- For Officer, Missing Kids with Autism Hits Home: [Missing Kids Blog Post](https://www.missingkids.org/blog/2020/for-officer-missing-kids-with-autism-hits-home)
- Stefan Bjes's Website: http://www.bluelinespectrumsafety.com
- About Stefan Bjes: [Blue Light Consultants Bio](https://www.blue-light-consultants.com/about-us/stefan-bjes-bio)
WANT THE VIDEOS HEAD TO YOUTUBE @sarahferrismedia
And if you are wanting AD FREE | EARLY ACCESS | BONUS CONTENT
HIT THE BANNER ON APPLE PODCASTS TO SUBSCRIBE
OR SUPPORT US:
