With Everything That’s Happening Globally, We Have to Be Proactive

Advertisement

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – It’s a scenario no parent ever wants to imagine: someone running through the halls of your child’s school, armed with a gun.

At Bahamas Academy, teachers received hands-on training to respond to just such a situation.

The lesson? Three simple principles: Run, Hide, Fight.

Dion Cleare, the school’s Emergency Action Plan Coordinator, explains the importance of the drills:

DION CLEARE – COORDINATOR, EMERGENCY ACTION PLAN, B.A.
“This is something that happens in the blink of an eye. If you’re unprepared or unaware, the consequences can be tragic. That’s why running through these drills is crucial, so that if it ever does happen, we know how to act to save lives.”

After the brief session, teachers put their training into action. When simulated gunshots rang out, they locked doors, closed windows, and barricaded themselves inside classrooms.

If a gunman does manage to enter a classroom, the protocol changes. In that case, the best defense is a coordinated effort to neutralize the threat.

While school shootings have become a grim reality in countries like the United States, 33 incidents reported as of June, they remain rare in the Bahamas. Still, local schools have faced several threats and false alarms over the years.

JULIETTE SANDS – EDUCATION DIRECTOR, SOUTH BAHAMAS CONFERENCE, SDA
“We prepare for hurricanes, tornadoes, and fires, but we do not typically prepare for an active shooter in the school.”

DR. LAVONDA SMITH – PRINCIPAL, BAHAMAS ACADEMY
“When we look at what’s happening globally with mass shootings, whether in schools or businesses, it’s clear that we need to be proactive.”

School officials say students will also receive their own training when classes resume in a few weeks, ensuring everyone is prepared to respond safely in an emergency.