Deputy Waylon Pollema, the Sheriff’s Office School Resource Officer (SRO), presents presentations to high school student bodies on the principles of A.L.I.C.E.
A.L.I.C.E. stands for Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate and teaches a set of proactive strategies designed to increase chances of survival during a violent intruder event. This has been yearly training provided to the students teachers at various high schools in Sioux County.
In the presentations, drills are held at the school where the students and teachers practiced the options taught in the A.L.I.C.E. training. Participants could choose to evacuate, barricade classroom doors and use counter strategies that they learned about.
When it comes to A.L.I.C.E. training, people are not told what they have to do; they are taught things that they can do. Common sense options have been taught age-appropriate to all grade levels where students and teachers are encouraged to mentally prepare themselves and have a plan for these types of situations.
As a certified A.L.I.C.E. instructor, one of Pollema’s duties is to continue to train school staff and students. This training has also been expanded to businesses who request it for their workplaces and employees.
