Federalist Radio Hour: A Practical Guide To Preventing School Shootings

In this episode of The Federalist Radio Hour, host Matt Kittle interviews security expert John Menna about his new book, *Before the Next Tragedy: Preventing Harm in School Shooting Scenarios*. Menna, a former safeguarding specialist for Department of Energy nuclear facilities, draws on high-reliability safety practices from the nuclear industry to argue that schools must shift from a mindset of 'minimizing harm' to one of 'preventing harm' in active shooter scenarios. He critiques current school safety efforts for relying on one-size-fits-all solutions and inadequate scenario planning, emphasizing the need for schools to identify and prepare for multiple plausible attack scenarios—such as external breaches, corridor attacks, and system failures during emergencies. Menna stresses the importance of stakeholder involvement, threat assessment, and post-incident learning, advocating for a structured, process-driven approach to safety that includes retrofittable technologies like smart door sensors, resilient surveillance systems, and real-time alerting to first responders. He also highlights the critical role of transparency, data sharing through initiatives like Safe Schools for Alex, and the need to act on warning signs before tragedies occur.