CHIPPEWA FALLS, Wis. (WEAU) – A visit was made the Chippewa Falls Area Unified School District for discussion on resources for schools facing “crisis events.”
Back in December, there was a bomb threat to Chippewa Falls High School that prompted a security scare for students and staff.
“And that can destabilize the community. While we prioritize that prevention, we can recognize that there are crisis events that can impact a school,” said Trish Kilpin, the Office of School Safety executive director.
That bomb threat is one type of incident her office can help with. Other types of incidents include the death of a classmate, school staff misconduct and school shootings.
A list of resources the Office of School Safety is offering include:
Caregiver trainings for staff
Information and resources for staff and parents
Ongoing support and consultation to leadership teams
Aid in planning social support activities
Guidance for small group and individual interventions
Assistance in carefully designing interventions and communication after a suicide to decrease contagion
“My experiences as a student, during active threats and dangerous situations, this feeling is downright unexplainable,” said Taylor Schmidt.
Speaking Up and Speaking Out is a program the 11th grade Chi-Hi student encourages her fellow classmates use.
“Since the launch of the Speak Up, Speak Out program in 2020, the Office of School Safety has assisted in more than 150 school critical incidents across the state of Wisconsin,” said Josh Kaul, the Wisconsin Attorney General.
The prevention tool is something Kaul said received more than 14,000 tips to help with intervention of school threats.
There is also one more key to helping the OSS work for students.
“The Office of School Safety works in combination with school leaders,” said Kaul.
Schmidt used her class project to not only write a letter to State Senator Jesse Smith, but also petition him for more school safety resources.
“I understand that there is only so much that we can do to prevent tragedies from happening. And I will continue to push for change until we have done everything we could possibly do,” said Schmidt.
School Resource Officer Brian Flug works with the Chippewa Falls Police Department.
At the presser, he said receiving tips after school hours helps by allowing for more time to plan and strategize in intervening school threats.
Copyright 2025 WEAU. All rights reserved.