k-12 Physical Security
K-12 Physical Security Assessment: What To Expect
BLOGS AND NEWS | September 7, 2024
LARGO Consulting Services, LLC has been a Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) approved School Safety and Security Assessment Provider since 2019 and a recognized Training Provider since 2022.


Conducting The Assessment

An approved assessor must do a PA K-12 School Physical Assessment while school is in session. The assessment criteria statements require “a review of existing physical security documentation and an evaluation and assessment of the vulnerabilities of a physical school building and/or the areas surrounding the school.” A vulnerability is “any aspect that should be considered for improvement and could be exploited by an aggressor.”
The assessor will evaluate each criteria statement as a Tier 1, 2, or 3. “Tier 1 could be considered the baseline of services to be met, with tiers 2 and 3 being considered additional elements that build upon and strengthen the foundations of the school entity’s physical security.

During the assessment process, our assessors walk the school grounds and buildings with a
member of the administration, facilities, or public safety staff to evaluate risks and vulnerabilities, following the criteria statements set forth by the School Safety and Security Committee. Once the assessment’s exterior and interior building sections are complete, the assessor will review the MOUs, policies, procedures, emergency response plans, and the school’s website.

The assessor will evaluate areas of risk and vulnerability to determine whether they
meet the assessment criteria, do not meet the criteria, partially meet the criteria, or do not apply to the assessment criteria.

 

Documentation Of Findings
Using our electronic assessment tool, the assessor will take photos of the risk or vulnerability, provide considerations for improvement, add comments as necessary, and share any “Gotcha Moments.”

At LARGO, we don’t wait until the report is complete to inform the client of serious
vulnerabilities, the Gotcha Moment; it’s important to bring them to the client’s attention at the time of discovery. Once the onsite portion of the assessment is complete, the assessor will finalize the field report and provide a copy to the client.

Upon delivering the final report, the assessor will follow up with the client to determine the
next actionable steps, including a presentation of findings, additional assessments, security system design, training, and grant assistance.
Reference: https://www.pccd.pa.gov/schoolsafety/Pages/Assessment-Criteria.aspx

 

Author
Bernard D. Gollotti, CPP
Founder/Owner & Principal Security Consultant


Copyright 2024

LARGO Consulting Services, LLC is committed to providing safe and secure environments where you live, work, study, and play. For more information about our security consulting services, please get in touch with LARGO Consulting Services, LLC online or call 833-LARGOCS. We also invite you to connect with us on LinkedIn.