Safety Tipline
Report an anonymous tip via our electronic form, SMS text, or phone
Safety and Security
We take exhaustive measures to make FCPS a safe and secure place to learn and work
Online: Safety Tipline Website
Text: 888777 (Keyword is "TIP FCPS)
Call: 571-423-2020
Email: [email protected]
The Office of Safety and Security provides overall guidance, direction, and support to the safety, health, and security programs, including federal (and Commonwealth of Virginia equivalent), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) programs. Safety and Security also develops, implements, and monitors student and employee health and safety programs; monitors and standardizes chemical purchases; and implements necessary hazardous waste disposals.
After Hours Assistance
School Security is your after hours contact if you have an emergency when transportation offices are closed or inaccessible. Contact School Security at 571-423-2000 . Security will contact a representative to assist you as needed.
Safety Section
The Safety Section provides technical knowledge and expertise required to keep the school division at minimal risk to liability, property, and vehicular losses. The section also complies with various federal, state, and local fire, health, and safety codes that impact the school division.
Security Services
Security Services provides 24-hour emergency communications, security patrols, response to calls for services, school inspections, and central monitoring of the Security and Fire Alarm System (SAFAS) for all FCPS facilities.
The Security Planning section provides training and assistance to all schools and centers in crisis management, facility assessments, and other security-related matters. Security specialists manage and provide expertise in emergency management, the training and certification of all central and school-based security personnel, and technology-based physical security initiatives and systems.
The school liaison commander coordinates between Fairfax County Public Schools and the Fairfax County Police on public safety matters.
Weapons Detection Systems
Fairfax County Public Schools puts the safety of its students and staff first and is committed to creating a secure environment where our students and staff can feel safe as they focus on learning and teaching.
Even with layered safety plans in place, the school division continuously explores new resources, technologies, and best practices to support and maintain schools and campuses that are both secure and conducive to learning.
The weapons detection system is similar to those used at sporting events and concerts. It is designed to be more selective than traditional metal detectors, accurately identifying potential threats while minimizing false alarms from everyday metal items like coins.
You can learn more by reading the Frequently Asked Questions on our website . If you have additional questions after reading the FAQs, you can submit them online to our Chief of Safety and Security Office.
Canine Detection Program
The Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) Canine Detection Program is a safety initiative administered by the Office of Safety and Security (OSS) to support a safe and secure learning environment across the division. The program utilizes a specially trained canine detection team—consisting of a certified handler and trained detection dog—to identify the presence of firearms, firearm components, ammunition, and illegal drugs in accordance with applicable laws and FCPS policies.
Learn more about the Canine Detection Program .
Safe Students, Safe Schools
Fairfax County Public Schools believe that academic success is built on the foundation of a safe learning environment. A safe learning environment includes physical safety and mental health and wellness.
FCPS has a comprehensive approach to safety that involves physical security measures, online monitoring by security staff, and crisis intervention support. This includes:
- Physical and technical security
- Crisis management planning
- Staff and student training
- School Resource Officers (Fairfax County Police Department)
- Risk assessment
- 24/7 security operations
- Cybersecurity prevention supports
- Operational support programs that aim to prevent issues before they occur
As part of our ongoing commitment to preparedness, we developed the Safe Students, Safe Schools brochure, designed to enhance your awareness of potential hazards and to equip you with practical tips. For your convenience, the full Safety and Security Brochure is also available as a printable PDF.
As part of Regulation 7001 (PDF), school administrators work with Region Offices, the Office of Safety and Security, the Office of Communications, and relevant outside response agencies to coordinate information sharing with the community.
The safety and security of our students, staff, and schools is everyone’s responsibility. Staff, students, parents, and the community are reminded to report any unusual activity to the authorities immediately.
Families and students can learn how to talk about safety concerns at school by taking a free, online, interactive training titled “Safe & Caring Schools for Families.”
Keep your contact information up to date through ParentVUE .
Make sure you are aware of our critical incident terms and what each means: Lockdown, Secure the Building, Shelter in Place, and Stay Put Stay Tuned .
Report incidents to the FCPS Safety Tipline . This is a confidential way to report your concern via phone, text, email, or web options. We monitor this closely and will respond to these tips.
Get to know your School Resource Officer (SRO) . There are SROs at all FCPS middle and high schools. FCPS added uniformed school security officers (not SROs) to patrol elementary schools.
Know that we take the safety and security of all students very seriously.
- Chemical Hygiene safety
- Coordinates with Public Safety partners
- FESA Rooms
- OSHA Compliance
- Safety Audits
- Electronic door accessallows the screening of visitors through a video door access system while all external doors remain locked.
- Classroom door lock replacementallows for a quick visual to confirm that the door is locked, so classrooms may enter a lockdown protocol faster.
- Security vestibulesprovide an additional layer of physical security and screening before a visitor can enter the main building.
- Electronic bus tracking
- Child check system
- Crossing control arm
- Strobe lights for visibility
- Video monitoring
- Fairfax County speed cameras
- Stop arm cameras
- An extensive intrusion alarm systeminstalled at all schools and centers is monitored 24/7.
- Classrooms have phone intercomsto allow anyone experiencing a threat inside a classroom to call for immediate assistance.
- Employee accessis managed through programmed IDs and door access readers.
- Fairfax County public schools are programmed for digital mappingto aid first responders to locate an incident quickly and efficiently.
- Raptor wearable Emergency Response Button (ERB).
- Video cameras
- Located in all middle and high schools.
- Approximately 67% of elementary schools have external video cameras.
- Visitor Management System
- Visitors to all schools are screened through the National Sex Offender Registry.
- Visitors must wear an identification badge.
- Weapons screening system
- FCPS runs background checks for all new hiresthrough Virginia State Police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Department of Social Services.
- All current FCPS employees (including temporary employees, hourly staff, and substitutes), per Regulation 4116 (PDF), are submitted for periodic criminal record monitoring background checks.
- Response teamsstaffed by school psychologists, school social workers, and school counselors.
- Crisis management plansat all schools reviewed, updated, and approved annually.
- Emergency planning coordinationwith police, fire, and emergency management offices.
- Division wide emergency operations planin concert with Fairfax County agencies.
- Classroom crisis management guidesor “red books” in all classrooms.
- Incident responseteams and equipment.
- Lockdown, Fire, Tornado, and Bus Evacuation Drills, staff safety training, and annual crisis scenario exercises (Table Top)at all schools.
- FCPS provides parents and students information about the risk assessment process, which includes training modules and other detailed information about how this process can prevent violence.
More information coming soon.
- Risk assessment programactively monitors for potential concerns involving both physical and data security.
- Comprehensive information security programprotects student information encompassing physical, network, third-party, system, process and user security.
- Security evaluationsfor all products and vendors protect information and identities.
FCPS' comprehensive package of programs and supports helps ensure compliance with Virginia Code, and is guided by Virginia’s Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) and the Virginia Center for School and Campus Safety (VCSCS).
Contact Us
Gatehouse Administration Center
8115 Gatehouse Road, Suite 3600Falls Church, Virginia 22042
571-423-2010
