About Us
The Heartland School Safety Association (HSSA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit security organization dedicated to improving K–12 school protection through disciplined, intelligence-informed methods.
Our mission is to apply the same proven security principles used to protect national facilities to the schools that shape our communities.
We provide no-cost safety assessments and low-cost follow-on services that help schools harden facilities, improve emergency posture, and communicate visible preparedness without sacrificing their welcoming environment.
Our approach combines invisible security, which uses quiet and integrated measures that maintain normal operations, with visible deterrence, ensuring every campus conveys confidence and readiness.
Our Mission
HSSA exists To protect students and staff through proactive, deterrence-based school security that blends technical assessment, operational discipline, and community collaboration to reduce vulnerabilities before an incident occurs.
We believe safety should feel welcoming, not restrictive. Every school can convey strength and
preparedness without sacrificing warmth, openness, or faith.
How We Started
HSSA was founded in 2025 after a personal and professional turning point. When founder Jake Petersen’s oldest child began kindergarten, a school shooting occurred in Minneapolis that same week.
Drawing on his background in federal security, Jake conducted his first volunteer assessment at his child’s school and discovered widespread gaps that could be corrected with minimal resources.
That experience made one thing clear: schools care deeply about safety but often lack access to professional expertise. HSSA was created to close that gap and bring real-world security knowledge to the classroom level.
Our Commitment
HSSA operates as an independent nonprofit dedicated to measurable results.
We do not sell security products or profit from vendor relationships. Every dollar donated funds field assessments, deterrence training, and program development in schools across Nebraska and Iowa.
As a 501(c)(3) organization, we are committed to transparency, accountability, and long-term impact.
Our goal is not to commercialize school safety but to professionalize it.