Code Blue Services - PDF

Auxiliary Support Division
Code Blue Program, Secure Our Schools Initiative

About Code Blue
For decades, El Paso Police Officers have been working with school officials on developing school emergency plans. Our Police leaders recognized the need to prioritize and develop a police strategy with an emphasis on school emergency preparedness. As a result, the Code Blue program began in December of 2004. The Code Blue program is a Secure Our Schools Initiative (SOS) with a mission to increase the safety of local and private schools in the El Paso area. Since then, the Code Blue program has expanded offering a variety of services to schools and continues to evolve with community needs.

In conjunction with local school districts and first responders, two program coordinators manage and coordinate the Code Blue program. Coordinators train and equip schools with tools to improve emergency plans. Coordinators also develop and coordinate effective practice drills to test school emergency plans.

Why is school emergency preparedness important?
Any emergency can occur on school site or nearby. It can threaten the safety of students, visitors and school personnel. Everyone and anyone can be affected! Especially if incidents are not contained, can easily spread, eventually causing a disaster.

Threats can root from natural disasters, technological or man made disturbances. All of these incidents require school officials to act immediately and effectively to secure a safe school environment, until first responders arrive at the scene.

Incidents such as the Columbine High School massacre and the Red Lake High School shootings have brought Legislatures to make changes to the law and pass Texas Senate Bill 11 (Texas Education Code Ch. 37, Section 108). The bill requires all Texas schools to implement a multi-hazard emergency plan, including a plan for school district employee training, practice drills and implementation of security audits.

It is important that school personnel be prepared not only because of Senate Bill 11 but also to reduce any potential risks from arising. Overall regular planning that includes mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery will add to the contribution of a safe and secure learning environment for schools and the surrounding community.

Code Blue Coordinators Contact Information
Araceli Salcedo Email: SalcedoA@elpasotexas.gov
Phone: (915) 564-7182

Marlo Tena Email: TenaML@elpasotexas.gov
Phone: (915) 564-7152

Code Blue Services
Code Blue Services - PDF

Information for Parents
Guide for Parents During School Emergencies
School Emergency Preparedness – Parent Guide
When we learn that our children’s school is facing a crisis, as parents, our instinct is to go to the school. However, it is important to keep in mind that as team members of the school, we need to play our role and remember the following;

   1) Always remain calm.
   2) Do not call the school or go to the school.
   3) Tune into TV/radio and listen for media to provide instructions and up to date information.
   4) Once instructed to drive to a location to pick up your children, ensure that you drive safely.
   5) Be prepared to have proper identification and present to school officials.
   6) If the incident is not as severe, the school will send you a letter with appropriate information.

With our partners through our Local Emergency Preparedness Committee, Code Blue Coordinators Araceli Salcedo and Marlo Tena along with Judy Crandall from Socorro Independent School District has compiled information for parents to keep in mind during an emergency.

Information for Students
The Code Blue program is proud to announce the initiation of a new program addition. As of January 2007, the Student Teen Emergency Preparedness (STEP) Team program was created. The STEP team program’s mission is to increase student safety during any type of emergency.

STEP Coordinator Contact Information
Galaz, Armando GalazMA@elpasotexas.gov
Phone: (915) 564-6947

For more information regarding the Code Blue Program, contact Code Blue Coordinators listed below:

Code Blue Coordinators Phone Email

Araceli Salcedo 564-7182 SalcedoA@elpasotexas.gov
Miguel Escobedo 564-7152 escobedoma@elpasotexas.gov

Auxiliary Support
911 N. Raynor
El Paso, TX 79903