Bob Berlin Presents At DuPage And Will County 2024 School Safety Summit

DuPage County State’s Attorney Bob Berlin speaking at the 2024 School Safety Summit at Joliet Junior College on Friday, January 19, 2024.

JOLIET - On January 19, 2024, the Will County Regional Office of Education, Professional Development Alliance, the DuPage County Regional Office of Education, and the Northern Illinois School Safety Administrator Association (NISSAA) co-sponsored the 2024 School Safety Summit at Joliet Junior College.

DuPage County State’s Attorney Bob Berlin was a presenter at the event, discussing the purpose, functions, and benefits of mutual aid partnerships for school safety. Berlin specifically discussed DuPage County’s new DuPage County School Mutual Aid Response Team (DuSMART). Berlin was joined by DuPage County State’s Assistant State’s Attorney Lisa Smith (Chief of the Civil Bureau) and John Heiderscheidt (DuPage County School Safety Specialist) when discussing DuSMART.

When DuSMART was inaugurated, Berlin stated: “Recognizing that preparation is in the best interests of our students, staff and communities, the ability to plan and be ready for emergencies, arising out of either natural disaster or violence, cannot be understated. School safety is a top priority of my administration, and this agreement facilitates the sharing of our knowledge, experience and resources that will enable us to completely and effectively respond to any situation that may be beyond the ability of one particular school or school district to manage on their own. I am confident that this new agreement will result in making DuPage County schools among the safest and well-prepared in the entire nation.

The event was designed to assist Pre-K through 12th grade school officials (both public and private), emergency responders, and elected officials (school board, municipal, or county) understand their role in community emergency preparedness in securing schools.

Berlin was joined at the event by Will County States Attorney James Glasgow and Will County Regional Superintendent of Schools Lisa Caparelli-Ruff.

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