In late March, BiCultural Hebrew Academy in Stamford participated in a lockdown drill aimed at improving school safety and preparedness. The exercise, conducted with the help of local authorities, featured key safety experts, including United Jewish Federation’s Regional Security Director Jim Comstock, Stamford Police Officer Lou Scarano, and Sol Redlich, a volunteer with Community Security Service (CSS). The drill simulated an emergency situation, allowing both staff and students to practice the necessary procedures for lockdown situations. “Our goal is to ensure that everyone knows what to do in case of an emergency,” said Comstock. “It’s crucial to stay proactive in training and reinforcing these safety measures.” The event also served as a reminder of the importance of collaboration between schools and local law enforcement to maintain a safe learning environment. Officer Scarano emphasized the role of drills in preparing everyone to respond quickly and efficiently, saying, “Preparation is key, and these drills make all the difference.” Bi-Cultural Hebrew Academy has long prioritized the safety of its students and staff, with ongoing efforts to ensure that everyone is well-prepared for a variety of scenarios. Through UJF’s security initiative, all Jewish institutions should reach out to Comstock for a security/vulnerability assessment, cyber security assessment, cyber security training, grant awardee procurement support, security training, or any general questions. Comstock can be reached at the Federation offices, (203) 3211373 and by email at comstockj@csiny.org. To request organizational training, please visit the Community Security Initiative (CSI) website at www.csiny.org and submit a request.