WCPS Installs 58 emergency response shields at schools across the county
Newark, MD, May 15, 2018– This week, Worcester County Public Schools in partnership with Hardwire, LLC, installed emergency shields within every school to augment existing safety protocols.
At its March 20, meeting, the Worcester County Board of Education voted to accept an in-kind donation from Pocomoke City-based company Hardwire, LLC to outfit every school in Worcester County with two emergency response shields. In addition, Pocomoke High School received 30 shields to implement a whole-school pilot program.
“We are incredibly grateful for the generosity shown by local business leaders George and Emily Tunis in this critical area for schools,” Superintendent of Schools Lou Taylor said. “As educators, we know that no learning can occur if students don’t feel safe within their learning environment. The shields donated by Hardwire provide us with another tool to implement proper safety and security protocols across our schools.”
The emergency response shields, manufactured locally by Hardwire, LLC, meet the Level III ballistic protection standards of the National Institute of Justice, meaning they are built to withstand ammunition from assault rifles, handguns and shotguns.
Within the Pocomoke High School pilot, the thirty shields have been installed strategically in conjunction with the placement of existing fire extinguishers. This placement, according to Hardwire, is designed so the shields are at the ready for an active shooter situation, much like the extinguisher in the event of a fire. In conjunction with the installation of the shields, Hardwire has conducted a comprehensive training program for administration, teachers and staff at Pocomoke High School. Training for administration at the other county schools is scheduled for later this month.
“The safety of students and teachers in our local community is extremely important to us. Hardwire is proud to take a proactive role in providing security and peace of mind to Worcester County,” said George Tunis, CEO of Hardwire. “We applaud Worcester County for its leadership in ensuring tools are available to staff and students to protect against active shooters.”
The pilot program at Pocomoke High School will be evaluated at the conclusion of the 2017-2018 school year; however, the shields will remain in place following the conclusion of the pilot as part of Hardwire’s donation to the school system.
Worcester County Public Schools is a high-achieving, rural public-school system on the eastern shore of Maryland. The school system serves approximately 6,700 students in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade at 12 community-based schools, with two schools serving the entire county: Worcester Technical High School and Cedar Chapel Special School. For more information, please visit www.worcesterk12.org.
Hardwire, LLC is a leading developer and supplier of advanced armor systems for military, law enforcement, homeland security, and public facility applications. Hardwire is located in Pocomoke City, Maryland. For more information, visit:
www.hardwirellc.com.
Contact Carrie N. Sterrs
Telephone 410.632.5092
Cell 732.773.5780
Email cnsterrs@mail.worcester.k12.md.us
Website www.worcesterk12.com