On Aug. 14, Capital Region BOCES’ Management Services and NERIC divisions co-hosted their first regional Security Summit, with more than 50 school administrators, law enforcement officers, safety personnel and technology directors in attendance. The event provided a timely and comprehensive overview of the current school security landscape.
The summit’s keynote address, “Crisis Leadership in Action,” was delivered by Chris Joffe, who emphasized the importance of critical decision-making in high pressure situations. His presentation offered a forward-looking perspective on emerging challenges and opportunities in school safety, focusing on empowering school leaders with actionable strategies for crisis response, particularly during the critical first 7 seconds, 7 minutes and 7 hours of an emergency.
Joffe shared practical tools school leaders can implement to effectively manage emergencies and large-scale events. To prepare for the upcoming academic year, Joffe outlined a strategic framework designed to enhance safety protocols and foster resilience, to ensure schools are better equipped to meet the demands of an evolving security landscape.
The summit featured a presentation by NERIC Chief Technology Officer David Versocki and Deputy Director Michael Sylofski, who highlighted current safety technologies and shared strategies for effective implementation across school districts.
Participants engaged in a hands-on planning session to develop a multi-year roadmap for full-scale emergency preparedness. Additionally, attendees visited vendor exhibits showcasing real-world applications and the latest advancements in security technology.
About Chris Joffe
Chris Joffe is the Founder and CEO of Joffe Emergency Services, a leader in school safety programs, event safety and emergency preparedness. He’s spent his career dedicated to making the world safer, and for the past decade, he and his team have worked with thousands of schools across the country to provide training, consultation, and support. Chris studied paramedicine at UCLA and earned his Master’s in Technology, Business, and Integrated Design at the University of Southern California (USC). Most recently, Chris published his first book, All Clear: Lessons from a Decade Managing School Crises, on the principles of community safety.