School Security and Risk Management
Tetzlaff Risk Management, LLC (“TRM”) has experience customizing security support services for schools of all sizes, serving a variety of age groups. Owner Jonathan Tetzlaff has developed a security and risk management process that can be applied to public and private schools (as well as institutions with a religious affiliation) in order to achieve security and risk management goals. This process includes 5 key steps:
Step 1. Confidentiality Agreements
All schools will sign a formal, legally-binding non-disclosure agreement. With TRM, all information collected during interviews and assessments is protected by a binding non-disclosure agreement (NDA). Client recommendations and reports (also covered by the NDA) are copyrighted property of the client.
Step 2. Personal Interviews
Interviews will be held one on one with school management, academic leaders, and when appropriate, with students. One-on-one and small group interviews are extremely beneficial and provide valuable insights needed to make effective, customized security recommendations.
Step 3. Onsite Assessment
Once interviews have been conducted, Jonathan will provide a formal written review which includes physical factors such as lights, locks, doors, and cameras, as well as an analysis of past and current security exposures.
Step 4. Review of Recommendations
Upon completion of the onsite assessment, all proposed recommendations will be reviewed and coordinated closely with school management and leadership.
Step 5. Report Delivery
At the conclusion of the process, a detailed report outlining all security and risk management recommendations will be provided to the client. The report will include maps, photographs, and illustrations that outline precise and practical actions that need to be taken to improve security.
What Kind of Schools Work with TRM?
For nearly five years, TRM has worked with a variety of exclusive private schools in six states throughout the U.S. Some larger schools are located on sprawling campuses in urban areas; others are small, self-contained and rural. Jonathan has also worked with institutions which have religious affiliations, which can pose certain security challenges. Although the solutions recommended for each site are unique, some general guidelines – such as those provided by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security – provide a consistent, across-the-board methodology for assessing and improving school security.
The Benefits of Working in the Educational Field
After decades of working in government and with some of the largest corporations in the world, it’s a genuine pleasure for TRM founder Jonathan Tetzlaff to work with schools. Most schools have a single location, so consistent approaches are straightforward and often inexpensive. Private schools tend to have a strong culture with a firm historical foundation, so integrated security solutions which align with that culture enhance the likelihood of effective implementation.
Security recommendations are provided to schools in a written form that is clear, concise and focused. Checklists and “action plans” provide precise guidance on next steps. Schools – by their very nature – focus on education. So recommending and incorporating training and heightened awareness is intuitive for schools in a way that’s not always true with corporations.
When we were faced with a challenging public relations issue regarding our approach to security and safety staffing on our campus, I called two of the most reliable risk management consultants in the country, and both suggested the same person, without hesitation.
Those two data points led me to Jonathan Tetzlaff, and our opening conversation clarified both the matter and the approach we needed to take to resolve our problem. Jonathan was clear about his philosophy of security for schools, and he wanted to be sure I understood his personal biases before we agreed to work together.
Jonathan arrived on campus and immediately went to work. He blended into the environment seamlessly and purposefully, and his knowledge of and experience with schools and businesses allowed him to gather important that led us to the best conclusion for our School.
His deliverables were timely, thorough, professional, and targeted. His recommendations were equally impressive; and he ended up suggesting an approach that aligned beautifully with what he had outlined when we first spoke—a rational, reasonable, cost-effective plan, fully buttressed by the philosophy and mission of our School.
Jonathan was what we needed, and he was always true to his word. He is a person you can depend on for a reasoned approach to what can be an emotionally-charged situation.
After an unnerving incident with a stranger and a member of our church ministerial staff, Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church convened a handful of church members to review Safety Plans of the church. We realized quickly we had little to no plan for any type of safety issue: fire, medical or hostile situation.
At the second meeting of the committee, Jonathan joined us and immediately brought a needed blend of practical experience and common sense to our planning and plans. At subsequent meetings and presentations to staff, members of Session and congregants, Jonathan’s thoughtful input provided the plan with the appropriate balance of seriousness and common sense needed for our church.
Jonathan has very good skills at presenting and listening to the church members and collecting their feedback. We were fortunate and blessed to have Jonathan join and co-lead this process.