Schools' Emergency Response Forum For Parents Tuesday In Manchester

MANCHESTER, NJ -- How will your children's school react if there is an active shooter situation?

In the Manchester Township School District, the answer will be the ALICE response: Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate.

The approach is different from the typical hunker down and take cover, but law enforcement -- including in Manchester -- is moving away from that.

The ALICE approach, which the Manchester Township Police Department has been advocating for more than a year now, increases survival rates during an active shooter situation by empowering individuals to be proactive, rather than hunkering in place awaiting law enforcement while a dangerous situation unfolds, the department has said. Further, it is in line with recommendations from the U.S. Department of Education, the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, officials say.

The ALICE program will be implemented in the Manchester schools in the coming months, and parents are invited to a presentation on it Tuesday, March 8 at 6 p.m. in the high school auditorium.

James Sharkey from the Manchester Police Department will be presenting, along with Superintendent David Trethaway and Director of Student & Administrative Services Alex George.