O N - D E M A N D W E B I N A R
Your Online Device
On-Demand
About one hour
To begin the on-demand webinar, completed the form below.
With scrutiny and recommendations coming from many sources, Texas schools are under pressure to safeguard their schools, now, more than ever.
Raptor invited local safety and security experts, Texas Public Policy Consultant Brad Shields, Hutto Police Chief Jeff Yarbrough and Irving ISD Director of Safety and Security Mark Bradford, to apply the lens of best practices in school safety preparedness, response and recovery while exploring the latest official Texas mandates and recommendations; and discuss safety solutions and funding available.
Shields has more than 30 years experience in the political arena. He first started working at the Texas capitol in 1973 and served on staff to several elected officials, before serving as the Executive Director of the Senate Health and Human Resources Committee.
He then served as Director of Government Relations for the Texas Hospital Association from 1978-1983. He left to become the Vice President of Public Affairs for American Medical International, Inc.
In 1987 he formed Shields Legislative Associates, a non-partisan lobbying firm representing a variety of clients before the Texas Legislature and its agencies. His expertise spans several industries including education where he was named one of the top five education lobbyists in Texas. Also referred to as the “Dean of the Health Care Lobby,” he currently represents several health practitioner organizations. He was honored by the American Hospital Association for service to the industry.
Mark joined Irving ISD a little over a year ago after serving in the Mesquite Police Department for more than 25 years, rising to the rank of Police Sergeant. During his time at Mesquite, he served as a member of the Mesquite ISD District Safety Committee and Threat Assessment Team as well as trained the school district’s SROs. He is a certified trainer for Standard Response Protocol and Civilian Response Active Shooter Events. Mark also served as the Public Information Officer for the department. With Irving ISD, he oversees the school safety, security and emergency management programs and operations as well as the district’s multi-hazard emergency operations plan. Mark holds a Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice and corrections from Texas State University.
Chief Yarbrough has been in Texas law enforcement for 27 years, six of which were serving as Chief of Police at Bastrop ISD and then Round Rock ISD. He was named a Campus Safety Director of the Year Finalist in 2021, where he was recognized for creating the Round Rock ISD Police Department from inception, incorporating school safety, equity, behavioral health, and student advocacy as its four pillars; and for developing a plan that eliminates historical gaps in coverage caused when SROs from the law enforcement partner agencies would leave assigned campuses to respond to calls at other campuses. He has also worked for the city of Tulia, the Travis County District Attorney, the State Bar of Texas, and the Texas Attorney General. Additionally, Chief Yarbrough served in the US Army – 101st Airborne Division