In a nutshell
KISD held a “full-scale” active shooter response exercise at Tompkins High School on June 7. The exercise was a collaboration with several observing and participating entities, including Fort Bend County Homeland Security & Emergency Management, the FBI, the Texas Department of Public Safety and several more.
A closer look
Jimmy Paul, assistant special agent at the FBI’s Houston office, said the agency’s participation in the June 7 drill was observational. He said practicing collaboration with multiple agencies reinforces local police training and enables them to “better protect citizens.”
He said the local FBI office has about 15 agents who participate in the coordination, facilitation and evaluation of these drills, which are not required but are recommended by the state.
“The local police are always going to be the ones who are gonna be first on the scene,” Paul said. “So ... our role is going to be how we respond, bringing resources before and after.”
KISD Emergency Management Coordinator Ruben Martinez said at the press conference that KISD is looking to improve its security in response to recent legislation.
“We seek at Katy ISD to always meet or exceed those standards, and so we look to take those guidelines and recommendations that the state is providing us and internalize that into our district safety standards,” Martinez said.
Dig deeper
KISD is also in the process of upgrading its security camera systems using 2021 bond funds. Additionally, a bond that may appear on ballots this November is slated to feature a proposition including funds for further upgrading safety and security.
