Tulsa company develops 'shelter-in-place' concept for schools

TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) — Osage Hills School in Bartlesville will be the first school to utilize the "shelter-in-place" safe rooms designed by SchoolSafe, a subsidiary of Tornado Place Shelters.

Osage Hills community voters approved bond funds to install the safe rooms in almost every classroom.

President of SchoolSafe Modular Shelters Charlie Willsey said the "shelter-in-place" concept provides certified EF-5 tornado protection and adds an extra safe haven barrier from intruders.

“Education consultant, Dr. Ed Huckeby, developed the concept and we have been working for almost four years to make it both feasible and affordable," he said. "Sheltering in place practically eliminates the transition time from the emergency response equation. Students can be protected from a threatening situation in a matter of seconds rather than minutes.”

SchoolSafe also offers a high-level second tier of intruder protection through the installation of bullet-proof classroom doors. Willsey said the installation of individual classroom shelter and bullet-proof doors is a very cost-effective combination when you consider the additional "shelter-in-place" benefits.

“We are very serious about helping our schools provide a safe environment for students, faculty and staff,” he said.

Shelter installations begin Wednesday, May 3, so when students, faculty and staff return to class in the fall, there will be a new sense of security.

For more information on the shelters, you can email Mr. Willsey at cwill1413 @gmail.com.