Police, Firefighters, Schools, Home Depot Workers Fill 'Go-Buckets'

EAST HAVEN, CT — As East Haven has embraced, and implemented, the ALICE lockdown model for schools, one of the elements of the protocol calls for go-buckets, filled with supplies in the event of an emergency that forces a lockdown.

Tuesday, East Haven police, firefighters, schools employees, the Home Depot Foundation, and volunteers from the community came together to fill those buckets.

"This is yet another step in our efforts to implement the ALICE enhanced lockdown model to all East Haven Public Schools," East Haven police Capt. Joseph M. Murgo said.

The Home Depot Foundation provided a $17,000-plus grant for the buckets.

"While we hope we never have to use them, 'go buckets' will be placed in each learning space, office, and administrative area and can be utilized to help save lives in the event of a violent critical incident," said East Haven police Capt. Joseph M. Murgo.

The buckets also have items in them that will "make a prolonged event a little more comfortable for the people experiencing it," he said. For example, Foxwoods Resort and Casino donated hundreds of decks of cards for the buckets.

ALICE stands for Alert, "Alert is your first notification of danger." Lockdown, "Barricade the room. Prepare to evacuate or counter, if needed. Inform, Communicate the violent intruder's location and direction in real time. Counter, Create noise, movement, distance, and distraction with the intent of reducing the shooter's ability to shoot accurately. Counter is NOT fighting. Evacuate. When safe to do so, remove yourself from the danger zone.
In sharing the adoption of the program with families, schools, cops and fire/first responders noted, "ALICE offers a different philosophy in light of increased school violence. "

It was announced this spring that the school district, police, and town departments would adopt the new "crisis response strategy" for lockdowns and evacuations.

Created in 2000 by a Texas law enforcement officer and his wife, a school principal, the program was created so in the event of a school shooting or similar violent crisis, school administrators are prepared while waiting for the cops to arrive.

The idea is to "empower" schools, the community "with the skills and knowledge to respond when shots are fired," the ALICE website reads. "If the police cannot be there in time to help, the next best thing is to prepare."