Representative William Lamberth, R-Portland, is hoping the second time is the charm for legislation designed to help improve school safety during an active shooter situation.
Lamberth tried unsuccessfully to pass the bill during last year’s special session on public safety, but it wasn’t among the four Tennessee Senators approved.
The bill would require each school district to develop specific procedures to follow if an unannounced fire alarm goes off. Lambert told the House K-12 Subcommittee Tuesday afternoon that this type of planning could save lives in an active-shooter situation.
“When a fire alarm goes off and it is an active shooter scenario, the worst thing that can happen is immediately the hallways are full of children. Because if it’s a fire, that’s exactly what should happen. What we’re talking about is just a tiny pause to listen for what’s going on, to wait for another alert, to find out what is going on,” said Lamberth.
Under the bill, district leaders would have the freedom to design their own safety procedures but would have to coordinate with the appropriate safety teams and provide the necessary training to staff and substitute teachers.
Members of the House K-12 Subcommittee unanimously advanced the bill but not without some questions. Representative Sam McKenzie, D-Knoxville, expressed concerns it could potentially delaying acting if there is a legitimate fire.
“Fundamentally, I agree with this intent wholeheartedly. My concern is that, you know, fire means fire and any delay in an actual true fire puts our children and the support staff and teachers at risk. I fully understand the logic and reasoning behind an alternative method,” said McKenzie.
Other representatives questioned if there could be sounds to differentiate the type of threat present. Lamberth says his bill would not prevent that.
“It allows schools to put in an any type of procedure they wish that can differentiate between different types of threats. That again, will save lives. These are not delays that are going to endanger lives and that’s not me saying that, that’s every expert I’ve spoken with signing off on this type of language to say ‘yes, we need a better procedure,’” said Lamberth.
The bill now moves on to the Full Education Committee.
