Nassetta, Gentry speak in wake of Nashville school tragedy
CULLMAN, Ala. – Tensions are high following the March 27 school shooting at the Covenant School in Nashville. Three 9-year-old students and three faculty and staff members were killed in the attack, which left people across the nation wondering what can be done to prevent these tragedies.
The Tribune talked to Cullman Police Chief David Nassetta and Cullman County Sheriff Matt Gentry to discuss the safety of schools in the Cullman area.
Nassetta said he believes the law enforcement response to the Nashville shooting was handled as well as it could have been. “We follow a similar program as far as response goes and the way we train to deal with situations like that,” he said.
Nassetta explained that Cullman City Schools have full-time school resource officers at all campuses.
When asked how the community can be better prepared, Gentry said, “Pay attention to your surroundings; educate your children to the dangers that we face in life today.”
The sheriff said local schools use ALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate) training, which is a proactive, action-based system and set of guidelines that tells staff how to get students away from danger, specifically related to active-shooter emergencies.
School resource officers are also assigned to all Cullman County Schools campuses.
Nassetta said the goal is to make schools less appealing to someone wishing to do harm. He said he believes a great example of this are the new Rapid-Deploy Safe Room Systems that have already been installed in two West Elementary classrooms. (See www.cullmantribune.com/2023/03/13/west-elementary-hosts-rapid-deploy-safe-room-system-demo)
“Be prepared. Preparation is one of the greatest tools that we have,” Gentry said. “Know that in Cullman County, you have law enforcement at your schools. Your deputies and officers will do everything to protect our children.”
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