Safety Gap
Safety Gap by RapidSOS delves deep into the "safety gap" — uncovering the unknown challenges, obstacles and blind spots that hinder public safety. Each episode examines barriers to safety with the goal of helping safety professionals identify effective solutions for keeping their customers, employees and communities safe.
Hosted by Cassidy Shield, RapidSOS' Chief Marketing Officer, the podcast brings together leaders and pioneers using the latest tools and techniques to create a safer world.
Listen in to discover a world supported by intelligent safety – where humans, technology, and AI work together to close the safety gap.
Safety Gap
Unifying Crisis Response: School Safety with I Love U Guys Foundation
In this episode of The Safety Gap podcast, Cassidy Shield and Karen Marquez welcome Pat Hamilton, the Alliance Director for the I Love U Guys Foundation. Pat brings a wealth of experience from his background in public education and school safety, sharing the compelling origin story of the foundation, born out of tragedy in the wake of the 2006 Platte Canyon High School shooting, where the founders lost their daughter, Emily. The organization’s mission is clear: to protect the joy of youth through education and strong collaboration between schools, law enforcement, and communities.
The heart of the discussion centers around the Foundation’s cornerstone programs, the Standard Response Protocol (SRP) and the Standard Reunification Method (SRM). Pat explains how these protocols are now implemented in over 60,000 schools globally and offer streamlined, all-hazards guidance for leaders, teachers, students, and first responders. The conversation emphasizes the necessity of common language, ongoing training, and broad stakeholder involvement, from dispatchers and school resource officers to parents. Real-world examples highlight the ripple effect of collaboration, showing how community-wide safety plans and drills foster trust and preparedness.
Pat also explores the evolving landscape of school safety, recognizing both the significant progress made and the continued challenges of funding, parent engagement, and integrating new technology. The episode closes by broadening the lens, noting the growing focus on community safety in general, not just schools, and encouraging listeners to access the Foundation’s free resources, embrace open dialogue, and remain proactive in forging secure environments for all. The warmth and depth of the conversation underline that school safety is not just a protocol, but an ongoing, collective commitment.