Wheaton, IL, January 22, 2026— The DuPage Regional Office of Education (ROE) will host its Annual School SafetySummit on January 29, 2026, at the College of DuPage Homeland Security Training Institute. The full-day event brings together school administrators, public information officers, and emergency management partners to sharpen emergency messaging skills and enhance school safety preparedness.
This year’s Summit emphasizes crisis communication strategies for schools. Participants will have hands-on opportunities to practice managing urgent messages, collaborating with the media, and developing staff talking points and communication plans. In addition, three featured speakers will share their expertise in public safety, media engagement, and inclusive emergency communication.
Chris Covelli serves as deputy chief and public information officer for the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, where he leads media and external communications. A 19-year law enforcement veteran, Covelli has been the department’s lead public information officer since 2015, managing communications for hundreds of critical incidents, from homicides to large-scale emergencies. At the Summit, he will discuss best practices for emergency messaging.
John Garcia, a longtime ABC 7 Chicago reporter, will provide guidance on working with the media. “I am really glad to have the opportunity to meet so many school and law enforcement professionals to learn more about how they handle different emergency situations and hopefully offer some insight into the way the broadcast media works so we can improve the way we work together,” Garcia said.
Stefan Bjes, founder and CEO of Blue Line Spectrum Safety and a law enforcement veteran, trains first responders and educators on effective communication with diverse populations. He will focus on safety practices and communication strategies for individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities during emergencies.
“Effective communication during emergencies can save lives and maintain trust during critical situations,” said Amber Quirk, regional superintendent of schools for DuPage County. “The School Safety Summit equips school leaders and communication professionals with practical tools and strategies to respond confidently and efficiently when every second counts.”
The Summit will also feature presentations from the Northern Illinois School Safety Administrators Association (NISSAA) and BeSMART, a secure gun storage initiative, providing attendees with additional strategies to enhance school safety and preparedness.