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High Alert at Schools
Aired February 13, 2003 - 13:09 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Fairfax County is one of the few school districts in the country that has developed a comprehensive plan for dealing with the possibility of an attack. There was a meeting this morning for some school administrators, where they were briefed on the plan, which involves sheltering in place. In essence, that means bringing the children inside, shutting off the air intake system, decontaminating any kids who might need it, and then holding tight until help arrives. This is a huge school district, the 11th largest in the country, and they realized right after 09/11 that they ought to be doing something because of their proximity to Washington, the county only about 10 to 15 miles away from Washington D.C.
With me now to talk about one aspect of the program is Cindy Dickinson, coordinator for Crisis Intervention Services.
Thanks a lot for joining us.
If there were to be a terrorist attack, how do you deal with the kids and their state of mind while the event is unfolding?
CINDY DICKINSON, FAIRFAX CO. CRISIS INTERVENTION: What we do is we think about emotional care and support, psychological support, and the first thing is to exercise common sense. Teachers are expected to do that. So are other school staff members.
MESERVE: What does that mean? What do you do for a kid?
DICKINSON: Try to offer them care and comfort, put an arm around them, let them talk about what's going on, and reassure them as much as possible that we're in control.
MESERVE: Do you talk to them beforehand about the possibility of there being a terrorist incident?
DICKINSON: I don't know those conversations have happened before our difficult moment, September 11th, 2001. But I suppose that could be a conversation because of the news that's coming out these days.
MESERVE: Do you think it's wise for the schools to talk to kids about the possibilities, to go through drills with them, to talk about this? Or does it simply build their anxiety?
DICKINSON: I think on a certain level, it could build anxiety, particularly for younger children, who don't understand what we're talking about when we talk about threats.
But for older students, I think it helps to connect all those dots and explain that this is the better plan to help ensure your safety and security.
MESERVE: And what you want to concentrate, really, on the aftermath. Is that correct?
DICKINSON: Absolutely. The crisis intervention response is a response to a situation that is difficult. So we come in after the fact when people need additional care.
MESERVE: OK Cindy Dickinson, thanks so much for joining us here today.
The officials here in Fairfax County developed this plan, more or less, on their own, but now it's being looked at for possible replication in other school districts.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired February 13, 2003 - 13:09 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Fairfax County is one of the few school districts in the country that has developed a comprehensive plan for dealing with the possibility of an attack. There was a meeting this morning for some school administrators, where they were briefed on the plan, which involves sheltering in place. In essence, that means bringing the children inside, shutting off the air intake system, decontaminating any kids who might need it, and then holding tight until help arrives. This is a huge school district, the 11th largest in the country, and they realized right after 09/11 that they ought to be doing something because of their proximity to Washington, the county only about 10 to 15 miles away from Washington D.C.
With me now to talk about one aspect of the program is Cindy Dickinson, coordinator for Crisis Intervention Services.
Thanks a lot for joining us.
If there were to be a terrorist attack, how do you deal with the kids and their state of mind while the event is unfolding?
CINDY DICKINSON, FAIRFAX CO. CRISIS INTERVENTION: What we do is we think about emotional care and support, psychological support, and the first thing is to exercise common sense. Teachers are expected to do that. So are other school staff members.
MESERVE: What does that mean? What do you do for a kid?
DICKINSON: Try to offer them care and comfort, put an arm around them, let them talk about what's going on, and reassure them as much as possible that we're in control.
MESERVE: Do you talk to them beforehand about the possibility of there being a terrorist incident?
DICKINSON: I don't know those conversations have happened before our difficult moment, September 11th, 2001. But I suppose that could be a conversation because of the news that's coming out these days.
MESERVE: Do you think it's wise for the schools to talk to kids about the possibilities, to go through drills with them, to talk about this? Or does it simply build their anxiety?
DICKINSON: I think on a certain level, it could build anxiety, particularly for younger children, who don't understand what we're talking about when we talk about threats.
But for older students, I think it helps to connect all those dots and explain that this is the better plan to help ensure your safety and security.
MESERVE: And what you want to concentrate, really, on the aftermath. Is that correct?
DICKINSON: Absolutely. The crisis intervention response is a response to a situation that is difficult. So we come in after the fact when people need additional care.
MESERVE: OK Cindy Dickinson, thanks so much for joining us here today.
The officials here in Fairfax County developed this plan, more or less, on their own, but now it's being looked at for possible replication in other school districts.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
