PFLUGERVILLE, Texas -- After deadly school shootings this year, safety is now at the forefront of back-to-school preparations. 

The Austin Regional Intelligence Center is hosting a series of school safety events to train school administrators, counselors and resource officers to keep their districts safe. 

At the latest event Wednesday at Hendrickson High School in Pflugerville, emergency management officials encouraged school staffers to create drills that are simple to follow - and to get first responders involved.

ARIC acts a hub that connects 21 agencies as they respond to terrorism and crime. 

“It brings together both law enforcement, and other professionals and the security industry together in one location, sharing in one location so that we can connect the dots and we don’t miss something,” said Austin Police Chief Brian Manley. “Why wouldn’t we use this resource? It is powerful.”

U.S Rep. and Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security Michael McCaul attended the event and spoke to the importance of devoting resources to mental health training. 

"Teachers need to be working, reporting," McCaul said. When they see a student who is not acting, behaving correctly, to report that to the school resource officer. He in turn can report that to law enforcement and deal with this issue.”

These school safety events will be held every three months. Area school districts are spending millions of dollars in safety measures ahead of the new school year. Austin ISD wants to spend almost $2 million on more officers, cameras and updated security systems.  

RELATED: AISD adding $1.7M in safety upgrades to campuses