NATCHEZ &045;&045; City, county and school officials said they are pretty well prepared for terror threats and disasters at the Natchez-Adams County schools, but they still have some concerns.

Director of Homeland Security George Souderes addressed a room of school administrators and workers Friday to update them on the county’s preparedness for an attack.

&uot;We are in a new world today,&uot; Souderes said.

&uot;Is it going to happen here in Natchez? In my opinion, it’s a slim chance. But we are going to have the capability if it does.&uot;

Souderes told the small group that it was up to the schools to have a plan in case of an attack.

Police Chief Mike Mullins said the schools had a good plan in place to handle threats. He said bomb threats at the schools in the past had helped to test the system.

&uot;The challenge is trying to convince parents to go to another location when something happens,&uot; Mullins said.

&uot;If I hear on the radio that my child is in danger, I’m going to the school.&uot;

Administrators agreed crowds of parents rushing toward the schools would worsen the problem.

Souderes told administrators the best thing they could do was be aware and make sure law enforcement officers were aware.

&uot;You need open communication,&uot; Souderes said. &uot;Something small could turn into something big.&uot;

Harold Barnett, director of operations for the schools, presented the group with the district’s Emergency Preparedness Plan at the meeting.

In addition to the district plan each school is supposed to have a standard operation procedure.

Mullins asked administrators to provide his office with floor plans of the building and to also keep a copy in the main office at all times.

He also said officers may do training in the schools after hours later on this year to better equip them to handle possible situations.

Administrators agreed to work toward being prepared for an attack.

&uot;Y’all have got a job ahead of you,&uot; Souderes told them. &uot;Take a good look at it, and I’m here to help.&uot;