NEWS RELEASE



For further information please contact:

Captain J. T. "Tim" Hull

(573) 526-6115

Q12063

December 14, 2006



EMPHASIS: Patrol Hosts School Violence Training





On Thursday, December 14, 2006, the Missouri State Highway Patrol hosted a training session conducted by Pennsylvania State Police officers dealing with school violence. There were 75 law enforcement officers from state and local agencies around Missouri in attendance at the training, which focused on the West Nickel Mines School shooting in the Amish community of Lancaster County Pennsylvania on October 2, 2006. Colonel James F. Keathley, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, greeted those in attendance and introduced the guest speakers. Col. Keathley emphasized the benefits of learning from another law enforcement agency’s experience in dealing with these types of incidents.



Major Jon Kurtz and Sergeant Doug Burig of the Pennsylvania State Police discussed the timeline of events prior to and during the shootings on that historic day when 10 Amish schoolgirls were shot before the gunman turned the weapon on himself. Five of the girls survived and continue to recover from their injuries. The intent of the training is to pass along valuable information and lessons learned from the Amish School Shooting, to better prepare Missouri law enforcement for planning and response to similar events. The presentation demonstrated the importance of using the National Incident Management System (NIMS) to manage law enforcement, emergency medical services, fire personnel, and other resources during crisis situations. Major Kurtz pointed out that timely information provided to the media by frequently scheduled news conferences proved to be a key factor in keeping the media and public informed about this incident, which drew worldwide attention.



Governor Matt Blunt, through the Department of Public Safety, initiated this school violence training in an effort to make Missouri schools a safer place. The Missouri State Highway Patrol Training Academy in Jefferson City hosted the training. Funding for the training was provided by a Homeland Security grant.