School safety is an ongoing commitment, and the Barrow County School System is thankful for the Barrow County Sheriff’s Office School Resource Officers (SROs), who routinely train for a variety of emergency situations.

Each summer, the BCSO and area first responders, including the Barrow County Fire Department, conduct multiple scenario-based training exercises in our schools. These exercises help ensure they are prepared and coordinated in the event of an emergency. The training includes Stop the Bleed instruction, active shooter drills, and physical fitness tests.

Last year, members of the BCSS Board of Education attended the training to learn more about the dedication of our SROs. This year, BCSS Superintendent Dr. Dallas LeDuff joined them to gain a better understanding of what the training involves.

Dr. LeDuff volunteered to complete the annual physical training and weapons qualification tests that deputies are required to pass each year.

“It was a humbling honor to experience one difficult piece of what our first responders must be ready for, just in case. The efforts and service of the BCSO and area emergency teams are greatly appreciated and respected. We couldn’t be successful without this critical partnership and support.”

BCSS Chief Security Officer John Skinner added, “These safety drills and training exercises are key to ensuring our community’s first responders are coordinated and ready to help in our schools as quickly and seamlessly as possible. This year, they also added training focused on best practices for assisting students with exceptionalities. The attention and care these teams provide are unmatched.”