FMHS put on short lockdown

FORT MADISON - The Fort Madison High School entered a short lockdown Thursday afternoon as a result of what turned out to be a false alarm.
School officials are going to send an alert notice to families this afternoon outlining the incident through the district's communication system.
Co-Principal Patrick Lamb said the lockdown was done out of an abundance of safety for students and staff, but no threat was made against anyone or the facility.
"Fort Madison High School experienced a brief lockdown this afternoon due to a false alarm, which prompted a response from school staff to ensure the safety and well-being of all students and staff members," Lamb wrote in a text message to Pen City Current.
"The incident, although a false alarm, served as a valuable opportunity to test emergency protocols and assess the school's security measures. We appreciate the understanding and patience demonstrated by the Fort Madison community during this time as we continue to prioritize the safety of everyone within the school premises. As part of our ongoing commitment to enhancing security measures, we are in the process of upgrading our systems and implementing necessary improvements to make our buildings even safer for all occupants. Thank you to the Fort Madison community for their support and cooperation as we work towards creating a secure and conducive learning environment at Fort Madison High School."