First aid kits.
Lollipops.
Water.
Kleenex, toilet paper.
Rope.
Just a few of the items that are now part of what’s called a “Go Bucket.”
“This would be for an extended lockdown if the school would have to go to a lockdown during a serious situation” says Officer Adam Dross, who serves as the school resource officer at Westerville North High School (WNHS).
“If they would have to barricade inside the room, this would allow someone to survive an extended period of time,” adds Officer Dross, as a small army of volunteers assembled the Go Buckets through an assembly line.
The idea behind the buckets started when WNHS Senior Thomas Armstrong graduated from the VIPSS program at the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office. VIPSS stands for Volunteers in Public Safety Support, a free training for people who would be called upon to provide support during times of emergencies or natural disasters, as well as volunteer during special and routine events.
Armstrong says he walked away from the 8-week course with a new perspective on safety, especially when it deals with active shooters.
“I thought it was really helpful and educational on how to protect yourself in that case,” he says. “It can happen anywhere, in a school, in a business; and some people aren't educated enough to know what to do.”
That’s why Armstrong worked with his school to create the Go Buckets, in which all the items were donated, including a special rope to help secure a door.
“We tie the rope into a knot and loop it around and that would stop an intruder from getting in.” Armstrong says while trying not to give away exactly how the rope device would work.
“We can get some kids to hold it or get a little device to screw it into the wall,” he adds.
Sgt. Sam Byrd runs the VIPSS program. He says people like Thomas help create safer neighborhoods because they're not afraid to take what they've learned and actually apply it.
“The biggest part is being that extra set of eyes and ears and situational awareness,” Byrd adds.
Armstrong says every classroom in the building will get a Go Bucket. He hopes to expand program to other schools within Westerville, based on donations.
MORE ABOUT THE VIPSS PROGRAM
Since 2012, the VIPSS program has trained more than 200 people, from as young as 14 to over 75 years of age. CrimeTracker 10 found the volunteers live in practically every city in Franklin County: Bexley, Columbus, Dublin, Galloway, Gahanna, Grove City, Groveport, Hilliard, New Albany, Obetz, Reynoldsburg, Upper Arlington, Westerville, Whitehall, Worthington.
Some new crimefighters are taking their skills outside the metro area to Delaware, Madison. Fairfield and Pickaway counties. Even as far as Perry County.
Every single VIPSS volunteer must go through a background check.
Topics include: Disaster Preparedness, See Something Say Something, Search and Rescue, Fire Safety, Utility Controls, CPR, First Aid, AED (Automated External Defibrillator), Terrorism, Public Health, Children in Congregate, Private Security (as it pertains to preparedness and working with first responders), what responses by AEP, COTA, Coroner’s Office, and Airport may be, Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events, as well as monthly trainings to build on the CORE training they receive.
Next class scheduled to start on Tuesday, October 11, 2016. It will run every Tuesday and Thursday evening from 6p-10p through November 17, 2016.
Sergeant Samuel Byrd
Call 614-525-4507
Email sdbyrd@franklincountyohio.gov
Corporal Scott Blacker
Call 614-525-4649
Email psblacke@franklincountyohio.gov