Valdosta State University (VSU) conducted a comprehensive crisis response training seminar on January 9, 2026, aimed at equipping law enforcement and school officials with essential skills for managing emergencies. The event, held in the University Center’s Magnolia Room from 08:00 to 15:30, focused on strategies for effective reunification of students with their parents and guardians following a crisis.
The training was organized by the i love you guys Foundation, a non-profit established in 2006 after the tragic hostage crisis at Platte Canyon High School. This organization, founded by John-Michael Keyes in response to the loss of his daughter, seeks to implement standardized protocols for schools facing violent situations. The foundation’s training programs now reach approximately 60,000 schools across all 50 U.S. states and various other countries.
During the seminar, Kevin Burd, the training director, outlined the Standard Response Protocol, a system designed to streamline communication among emergency responders during critical incidents. This segment comprised the bulk of the day’s activities, which included breaks and a lunch period.
The second half of the training shifted focus to a practical demonstration. Participants were divided into roles—parents, children, and active responders—to simulate a reunification scenario. This hands-on approach allowed attendees to experience the complexities involved in reuniting families during a crisis.
The impetus for this training stemmed from a serious incident on September 25, 2025, at S.L. Mason Elementary School, where a man was fatally shot in a standoff with police while in the school’s pickup line. This event heightened concerns regarding safety in Valdosta’s educational institutions, prompting VSU Police Chief Christopher Hughes to prioritize such training initiatives. “When we had what happened at S.L. Mason, it pushed [the training] to the very top of what I wanted to get accomplished in the next year,” Hughes remarked.
Feedback from participants highlighted the effectiveness of the training. “You can hear about it and talk about it on a PowerPoint slide all day long, but until you actually do it… It just makes it make sense,” stated Sgt. Rebecca Leatherberry of the VSU Police Department. By engaging in practical exercises, attendees left with a clearer understanding of how to manage crises with greater efficiency and empathy.
Officials expressed optimism that this dual approach of theoretical learning and practical application will establish a robust standard for Valdosta first responders in handling future incidents, including potential violent occurrences. The training session underscored the commitment of VSU and law enforcement to foster a safer environment for students and their families.
