responding to a school crisis...
TRANSCRIPT
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RESPONDING TO A SCHOOL CRISIS
Transcript
IACPRespondingtoaSchoolCrisisTranscript
Slide1
WelcometotheInternationalAssociationofChiefsofPoliceandOfficeofJuvenileJusticeandDelinquencyPreventiontraining,titledRespondingtoaSchoolCrisis.MynameisSteveHarris,andIcurrentlyserveastheDirectorofHomelandSecurityandEmergencyManagementattheUniversityofGeorgia,inAthens,Georgia.Previously,I’veworkedinpublicsafetyforover17years,mostoftheworkbeinginvolvedinsecurity,safety,andemergencyplanningwithschoolsanduniversities.Ibeganmylawenforcementcareerin1995,andthenworkedasanassistantschoolsafetydirectoratamedium‐sizedschooldistrict,andthenworkedforaboutsevenyearsasthestatedirectorofschoolsafetyfortheGeorgiaOfficeofHomelandSecurityandEmergencyManagement.
Slide2
Whenacrisisorcriticalincidentoccursthataffectsstudentsandstaff,whetheritoccursonschoolgroundsoroffcampus,thecrisisresponseteam,orschoolemergencyteamasitisreferredtobysomedistricts,mustcoordinateatimelyandappropriateresponse.Inthistraining,wewillexaminestrategiesforrespondingtoacrisisorcriticalincidentthathaveproventobeeffectiveinavarietyofcrisissituations.Youwillacquiretheknowledgeandskillsthatyouwillneedtorespondtoacrisis.Youwillapplythisinformationtodevelopingorenhancingapartofyoursafeschoolplan,respondingtoacrisis.
Bytheconclusionofthistraining,youwillbeableto:
Planaresponseforimplementingacrisismanagementplanforasimulatedcrisis
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Determinewhatactionsyouwouldtakewithinthefirsthourfollowinganincidentand
Developaresponsestrategyforacrisisscenario.Slide3
Wearegoingtobeginwithavideothatportrayshowoneschoolrespondedduringthefirst20minutesofacrisis.Theresponsetothecrisisisverywell‐organizedorappearsscriptedbecauseagreatdealofpreparationwentintoplanningforthecrisis.
“ACriticalIncident:WhatToDointheFirst20Minutes”providesapowerfuldramatizationofacriticalincidentataschool.Inthevideo,developedbytheCenterforthePreventionofSchoolViolenceinthestateofNorthCarolina,teachers,schooladministrators,andlawenforcementofficialsrespondappropriatelytoanactiveshooterincidentataschool.
Aswewatchthisvideo,thinkaboutthesetwoquestions:
Whatdidtheschooldoeffectivelyinrespondingtothecrisis?
Whatcouldtheschoolhavedonedifferentlytobemoreeffectiveinrespondingtothecrisis?
Slide4
First20MinutesTranscription
[Birdschirping]
[Soundoffeetonpavement]
[Soundofbusdrivingby]
[Backgroundmusicplays]
[Soundoflockersclosinginschoolhallways]
[Studentstalking]
Speaker1: HeyOfficerJones.
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OfficerJones:Morning.
Speaker2: HeyOfficerJones.
OfficerJones:Hey.How'dthatmathtestgo?
Speaker2: Couldhavebeenbetter.
OfficerJones:Aw.Keeptrying,you'llgetit.[Schoolbellrings]Norunninginthehalls.Walk,you'llgetthere.
JudyHowell:It'smucheasiertomakemeasurementsthantoknowwhat[inaudible00:01:08].Nowtherearecertainmeasurementguidelineswe'regoingtobeusinginthisclass.Themostcommonunitsofmeasurementsarecentimetersormillimetersforlength,gramsormilligramsformass,litersormillilitersforvolume.NowCora,wouldyoureadnumberthreeaboutreadingthescale.
Cora: Readthescaletothenearestsubdivision.Whenanobjectismeasuredwithameterstick,subdividedonlyintocentimeters[backgroundmusicplays],itisdifficulttoexpressthelengthtothenearestmillimeter.Itisoftenpossibletoestimatethepointsbetweenthesubdivisionsofthescale,butestimatestomorethanonedecimalplacearenotsignificant.
JudyHowell:StayquietwhileIcalltheoffice.
Karen: Yes?
JudyHowell:Karen,this[00:02:00]isJudyin318.IneedtospeaktoMr.Millernow.
Mr.Miller: Yes,Ms.Howell?
JudyHowell:Mr.Miller,Ijustsawayoungmanwithagunwalkingtowardstheschool.Sitdown!Now!Becalm.
Mr.Miller: Isheastudent?Whereishe?
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JudyHowell:Hecouldbe.Idon’tsee…Thereheis.Idon’trecognizehim.Rightnow,he'swalkingthroughtheparkinglot.
Mr.Miller: Call9‐1‐1.[phoneringing]GetOfficerJones.
Speaker3: OfficerJones,reporttotheofficeimmediately.
Speaker4: Yes,there'sanemergencysituationhereatEastWarnerHighSchool.
Mr.Miller: Okay.Staycalm.
OfficerJones:I'monmywayMs.[Inaudible00:02:47].
Mr.Miller: Lockyourdoorandgetyourkidsawayfromthewindows.
Speaker4: Yes,we'reonStateRoad22.
Mr.Miller: Lookintothehall,ifyouseeanystudents,getthemintoyourroom.
Speaker4: I'mcallingfromtheprincipal'soffice[inaudible00:02:54]building.We'refollowingallnecessaryprotocol.
Mr.Miller: DidyougetOfficerJones?
Speaker3: He'sonhisway.
Speaker4: He'srighthere.Yes.Justasecond.
Mr.Miller: ThisisprincipalPaulMilleratEastWarnerHighSchool.Ateacherhasjustreportedseeingayoungmanwithagunonourcampus.Wedon’tknowwhoheisorwhathewants.Hemightbeastudent.Hewasseenwalkingtowardtheeastwingofourbuilding.We'regoingintolockdown.Theschoolresourceofficerisonhiswaytomyoffice,butweneedmorehelprightaway.[phonecontinuestoringinbackground]
Speaker4: There'saclassmeetinginthecafeteria.I'mgoingtomakesuretheygetintothekitchen.
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Mr.Miller: It's9‐1‐1.
OfficerJones:ThisisOfficerJones,theschoolresourceofficer.Yes,asyouapproachthenorthbuilding…
Mr.Miller: Attentionallstaff,wehaveacode300.Repeat,code300.Allstaffandstudentsshouldmovetoaclassroomatthistime.Waitforfurtherinstructions.[girlslaughinginhallway]Thankyou.
Speaker5: Allrightladies,Ineedyoutogetinherenow.Please.Let'sgo.Comeon.Getinherenow!Let'sgo!Hurry!Hurry!Allright[00:04:00],listentome.Everythingisgoingtobefine.Iwanteveryonetogetawayfromthehallwaydoorandgetdown.Julie,Iwantyoutoturnoffthelights.
Speaker4: Everyone,quietnow,please.Getdown.Thereisa…anincidenthappeninginourschoolrightnow.Helpisontheway,andwearefollowingourplanforhandlingthesethings,butrightnowwhatwereallyneedyoutodoistostaycalm,tokeepquiet,andstaydown.
[Clockticking]
[Musicinbackground]
[Gunshotsandscreaming.Firealarmsounding.]
Speaker5: Hejustpassedmydoorheadingleft[00:05:45].
[Firealarmcontinuestosound]
[Clockticking]
[Soundofpolicecarpullingup]
[Cardoorslamming]
[Soundofrunningonpavement]
[Officer'sradio].
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Speaker3: Oh,thankgoodness.Theteacherinroom328justcalled.Heheardtheshootergoingbyhisroom,headingthatdirection.
Mr.Miller: That'soverhere.
[Firealarmcontinuestosound]
[Soundofbulletcasingshittingfloor]
[Soundofgunbeingcocked]
[Clockticking]
Speaker6: Cansomeoneshutdownthatfirealarm?Keepaneyedownthehall,hemayhavemoved.Good.Therearefourofus.Wecanmoveoutinfullcontactformation.Doeseveryonehavetheirvests?[Firealarmstops]Thisguyisserious.He'sheretohurtpeople.Wehavetofigureoutawaytotakehimdownoratleastdrawhisfireawayfromthekids.Youandthetroopertakethewings.Remembertostayacoupleoffeetawayfromthewall,thatwillkeepyouawayfromanyricochets.You,taketherearguardandhandleourcommunications.
OfficerJones:Taketheradio.Letusknowwhenmorebackuparrives.
Mr.Miller: ThedispatchersaidthatEMSwillbehereanyminute.
Speaker6: Good.Let'smove.
[Backgroundmusiccontinues]
OfficerJones:Lockthedoor.SergeantWyzinskiwillbehereshortly.
[Gunshotsandscreaming].
Speaker6: Gotanintersection.Breakingright.
[Studentstalking,crying]
[Gunshotandscreaming].[00:07:50].
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[Backgroundmusiccontinues]
[Soundofdoorhandlerattling]
[Soundofdoorhandlerattling]
[Studentsshriek]
[Clockticking]
Speaker6: Intersection.Breakingleft.
[Gunshotandscreaming].
[Soundoffeetrunningonhardsurface]
Male: Getdown.
Speaker7: Getdownontheground.
Male: Now.
Speaker7: Getdown.Getdown.Getdown.
Male: Getdown.
Speaker7: Getdown,allthewaydown.
Male: Getdown.Allthewaydown.Getflat.
Speaker7: Allthewaydown.Laydown.Laydown.
Male: Flat.
Speaker7: Getyourarmsouttoyourside.Tellmewhatyou'veseen.
Speaker8: Somebodysaidtherewasateacherintheboy'srestroomdownthehallontheleft,Mr.Samuels,andhe'sbeenshot.Andtheguywiththegunwentdowntothehallwayontheleft.
Speaker7: Yougotthat?
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Male: Gotit.
Speaker: Allright,girls,Iwantyoutoputyourhandsontopofyourheadandgooutthedoorattheendofthishallway.Doitnow.Run!
Male: Go!Go!
OfficerJones: We'resendingtwofemalestudentsoutyourway.Wealsohavereportofawoundedteacherinthebathroomattheendofthemainhallway.Wealsopassedaclassroomwithnocard,number311.Itneedstobecheckedout.
Wyzinski: Wecopythat.ThisisSergeantWyzinski.I'mtheon‐scenecommander.We'vegotaRescueTeamreadytogo.They'llchecktherestroomandroom311[00:9:39].
[Doorcreaks]
[Backgroundmusiccontinues]
[Soundofpattingonshoulder]
Speaker8: 311.Police!Getdown!Police!Getdown!
Speaker9: Getdown!
Speaker8: ThisistheRescueTeamleader,wehaveevacuatedtheteacherfromthebathroom.Weareinroom311now,andit'savacantroom.Let'sgo.
[Clockticking]
[Shellcasingsdrop].
[Cockinggun]
[Backgroundmusicspeedsup]
Male: Police!
Female: Police!Dropthegun!
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Male: Getdown!
Male: Dropthegun!
Female: Dropthegun!Doitnow!
[CBRadiosounds]
[Musicslowsdown]
Male: Wehaveoneofficerinjuredandthesuspectisdown.[phoneringinginbackground]Weneedmedicalattentionhereimmediately.We'reinfrontofroom328.
Wyzinski: Standby.ARescueTeamisonitsway.Bringyourteamin.Let'sdoathoroughcheckbeforewestartevacuatingthesekids.
[Voiceoverradioinbackground]
[Softchorussinginginbackgroundmusic]
Male: Putyourhandsonyourhead.Keepthemonyourhead[00:11:58].
[Feetpatteringonthepavement]
[Studentscrying]
[Choralsinginginbackground]
[Emergencysirensoundinginbackground]
Male: [Inaudible00:12:16].
[Ambulancesiren]
[Helicopterpropellers]
End12:58
Slide5
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Thinkingaboutthevideoyoujustwatched,answerthefollowingquestionsandthenclicktheforwardarrowtocontinue.
Slide6
Forthistraining,wewillbereferringtothePracticalInformationonCrisisPlanning:AGuideforSchoolsandCommunitiesmanual.ThisguidesetsforththeFEMAmodelandhowitisappliestoschools.
TheFEMAcrisismanagementplanincorporatestheNationalIncidentManagementSystem,orNIMS,requirementsandisusedbytheDepartmentofEducation,HomelandSecurity,andothergovernmentalandnon‐governmentalagencies.
Let’sreviewtheFEMAsequenceofcrisismanagement.Therearefourphasesofcrisismanagementaccordingtothismodel.
Mitigationandpreventionaddresseswhatschoolsordistrictscandotoreduceoreliminaterisktolifeandproperty.Anexamplerelativetothisphasemightbetheinstallationofcarbonmonoxidedetectorsintheschoolbuildingtopreventstaffandstudentsfrombeingexposedtocarbonmonoxidepoisoningfromequipmentthatusesnaturalgasinthebuilding.
Preparednessfocusesontheprocessofplanningfortheworst‐casescenario.Thisisthephasethattypicallyinvolvessafetyandsecurityassessmentsoffacilities,collaborativeplanningwithlocalfirstresponders,andtheimplementationofdrillsandexercisestotestemergencyprocedures.
Responseisdevotedtothestepstotakeduringacrisis–Thisisreallywheretherubbermeetstheroadandwherealltheplanning,collaborationandpracticeareputintoplayinrespondingtoarealemergencyincident.
Recoverydealswithhowtorestorethelearningandteachingenvironmentafteracrisis.Muchoftheplanningfortherecoveryphaseshouldoccurinthepreparednessphase,butthisphaseinvolvestheemotional,academic,physicalbuildingandoperationalrecoveryoftheschoolandschoolcommunityimpactedbytheemergency.
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YoucanfindacopyofthePracticalInformationonCrisisPlanning:AGuideforSchoolsandCommunitiesmanualinyourresourcefolder.
Slide7
Wewillbefocusingonthethirdphaseofcrisisplanning‐Response.Duringacrisis,youwillideallybefollowingthesafeschoolplanyoucreated,asopposedtomakingaplanduringthecrisisitself.
Let’slookoverthestepsyoushouldtakewhenensuringresponseisapartofyoursafeschoolplan.
Slide8
Let’sdiscussaresponseactionchecklist.
Determineifacrisisisoccurring–Thisisthefirstandoneofthemoreimportantsteps.Basically,thisdefinesyourfutureactions.Forexample,aprincipalmaygetareportofanunauthorizedpersoninthebuildingnearthegym.ThePrincipalmayreviewsurveillancecameras,dispatchsecurity,anSRO,oranotherstaffpersontotheareawherethepersonwaslastseen,butatthispointthereisnoconfirmationthatatrueemergencyexists,onlythatsomeoneisinthebuildingwhohaspossiblynotcheckedinattheoffice.Conversely,aschoolstaffpersonmayseesmokecomingfromoutsidethecafeteriakitchenwindowandthenhearthefirealarmsound.Thiswouldconfirmthatanemergencyisoccurring.
Identifythetypeofcrisisthatisoccurringanddeterminetheappropriateresponse–Often,dependingonthecrisissituation,criticaldecisionsmustbemadeimmediatelyoncethecrisisisconfirmed.Basedonpriorplanningandpractice,decision‐makersshouldbeconfidentinmakingappropriatedecisionsthatsettheemergencyresponsemechanisminplace.
Activatetheincidentmanagementsystem–Thisisalwaysanimportantstepinordertoorganizetheresponsetowhatevercrisisoremergencyisoccurring.Again,NIMSandICSshouldbeacommonpracticeforschoolofficialsandworkingunderICSwiththeirlocalfirstrespondersshouldbesecondnature.
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Ascertainwhetheranevacuation,reverseevacuation,lockdown,orshelter‐in‐placeneedstobeimplemented.Thesearethefourmostcommonemergencyresponsesforschools.Itshouldbefairlyeasyforallstafftodistinguishbetweenthesedifferentresponses.Remember,nocodesshouldbeutilizedtoannounceyourresponseactionsduringanemergency.Also,twoemergencyresponsescouldbeimplementedduringsomeemergencysituations.Forexample,abombthreat,dependingonthecredibilityofthethreat,initiallymightnecessitatealockdownresponsewhileadministratorsandfirstrespondersconductaquickcredibilityassessmentofthenatureofthethreat.Ifthethreatisdeterminedtobecredible,then,theschoolmightbeevacuatedtoapre‐designatedoutsideassemblyarea.
Slide9
Maintaincommunicationamongallrelevantstaffatofficiallydesignatedlocations–Thisstepmainlyinvolvesmakingsurethatallstudentsandstaffareaccountedforduringanemergencysituation.Remember,schoolstaffshouldhaveamechanisminplacetobeabletoaccountforeverystudentatanypointduringtheday.Often,thisisverydifficultwhenstudentsareatlunch,arrivinginthemorningoratdismissal,butthesearethecriticaltimeswhenmanyschoolemergenciesoftenoccur.
Establishwhatinformationneedstobecommunicatedtostaff,students,families,andthecommunity–Thetypeofemergencymaydictatewhatinformationisbeingcommunicatedtovariousgroups.Certainlytheschoolstaffandstudentswillbenotifiedinitiallyandprovidedwithspecificinstructionsonhowtorespondtotheemergency.Districtofficestaffwillneedtobekeptinthelooponthestatusoftheemergencyandadditionalresourcesthatmightbeneeded.Providingparentswithtimelyandspecificinformationonwhattheyshoulddoisimperativeattheonsetofalargeremergencytopreventpanicandanoverwhelmingresponsetotheschoolsite.Actually,intoday’ssociety,theremaybeacrisissituationinanotherschoolthatobtainsmediaattentionthatmaypromptyourschoolemergencyteamtofieldpanickedparentorstaffconcernsonhowyourschooland1stresponderswouldhandleacertainsituation.Thisisanimportanttimewhenyouhaveparentsandstaff
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attentiontoconveyimportantemergencyproceduresandinformationtothem.
Monitorhowemergencyfirstaidisbeingadministeredtotheinjured–Ofcourse,noteveryschoolhasaschoolnurseoncampus,butschoolsshouldhavepersonneltrainedinCPR/FirstAidandtheuseofAEDs,orautomaticexternaldefibrillators,asappropriate.Thisiswhereadministratorsshouldcheckinonthestatusofinjuredstudentsand/orstaffandpromotegoodaccountabilityastowhichhospitalsstudentsmightbetransportedto.
Decideifmoreequipmentandsuppliesareneeded–Smallemergenciescanlikelybehandledinternallyorwiththehelpoffirstresponders.Largeremergenciesmightrequiremoreresources,likepersonnel,equipmentandspacethatthedistrictoffice,otherschoolsandcommunityresourcesmaybeabletoprovide.
Slide10
Theseresponseactionstepscanguideyouduringacriticalincident.Keepthesestepsinmindwhenyouarecreatingaresponseprocesstoincludeinyoursafeschoolplan.
Expecttobesurprised–IalwaysrecallthequotefromaPrussianGeneralinthe1850swhostated“nobattleplaneversurvivescontactwiththeenemy.”Translatedintoourtermsforresponse,thismeansthatwehavetobeflexibleaseverythinginourresponsetotheemergencyathandmaynotgoasperfectlyasweplanned.
Assessthesituationandchoosetheappropriateresponse–Thisrequiresaquickassessmentofthesituationandthenresponseswillvarydependingonthelevelormagnitudeofthecrisis.
Respondwithinseconds–Thismeanscriticaldecisionsneedtobemadeveryquicklyinordertoactivatetheappropriateresponseactions.Priortrainingandpracticeshouldhelpinhavingconfidenceinyourdecisions.
Notifytheappropriateemergencyrespondersandschoolcrisisresponseteam–Thisactionshouldbecompletedveryquicklyinordertohaveadditionalsupportandpersonneltohelpmanagetheemergency.Neverdelayincalling911forimmediateassistance.
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Slide11
Evacuateorlockdowntheschoolasappropriate–evacuationorlockdownarebasicoptions,butshelteringinplaceduetoachemicalspill,relocatingtosevereweathershelteringareaswithinthebuildingorimplementingtheearthquakeresponseproceduresof“drop,coverandhold”areoftenotherspecificresponseoptions,dependingonthetypeofemergency.
Triageinjuriesandprovideemergencyfirstaidtothosewhoneedit–triagingpatientsinvolvescheckingpatientsinordertodeterminewhichpatientsareinmoreofacriticalneedformedicalcareortransporttoamedicalfacility.Priorcoordinationwithfirstrespondersandtrainedschoolstaffmakethisprocessmoreefficient.Also,beconsiderateofspecialneedsorstudentswithmobilityissuesinyourschoolwhomayneedextraassistancebyschoolstafforfirstrespondersduringemergencies.
Keepsuppliesnearbyandorganizedatalltimes–Thisinvolvesmakingsurethatallfirstaidkitsandemergencyevacuationkitsareinventoriedandkeptuptodate.Staffshouldknowwhereallthesekitsarestoredandhaveaccesstothemforemergencyuse.AllAutomaticExternalDefibrillators,orAEDs,fireextinguishersandotherequipmentdesignatedforemergencyuseshouldregularlybecheckedforfunctionality.Havetheabilitytomakeallsupplies,likeemergencyevacuationkits,thatyoumayneedtotakewithyoutoanothersite,mobileandeasilycarried.
Trustleadership–Thisisalwaystoughwhenschoolemployeesmaynotknowtheentirepictureofwhatishappeningduringanemergency.Theymaydoubttheschoolemergencyteamdecisions.Often,conductingemergencydrillsandexercisesandparticipatingintraininghelpsschooladministratorsandschoolcrisisteamsdemonstratetheirabilitytohandleanemergency.Calmandconfidentadministratorsandschoolemergencyteamswillhelpineliminatingchaosandwillprovidesolidleadershipduringacrisis.
Slide12
Communicateaccurateandappropriateinformation–Thisinvolvescommunicationtointernalandexternalstakeholders.Usemethodsofnotificationandcommunicationthatschoolstaff,studentsandparents
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arefamiliarwithandonesthatareinyouremergencyplan.Inmostemergencyorcrisissituations,itisalwaysdifficulttoinitiallyobtainthemostaccurateinformation.Astheemergencyunfoldsandmorespecificdetailsareknown,aclearerpictureoftendevelops.Asaresult,schoolleadersandfirstrespondersmaycommunicatesomeerroneousinformationearlyonintheemergency.Ofcourse,oncemoreaccurateinformationisknown,itshouldquicklybecommunicated.
Activatethestudentreleasesystem–Dependingonthetypeofemergency,studentreleaseproceduresmaybeimplementedonsiteoroffsite.Often,thisiscalledafamilyreunificationcenter.
Allowforflexibilityinimplementingthecrisisplan–Everythingdoesnotalwaysgoaccordingtohowyouplannedforittohappen.Havingflexibilityinyourplanisparamounttoallowforunanticipatedevents,consequencesorforinsufficientresources.
Documentactions–Documentingwhenactionsweretakenandtheapproximatetimeisanimportantpartofhandlinganemergency.Thisprovidesarecordofhowtheemergencyplanwasimplemented,allowsfordamagetoberecordedforinsurancepurposesandhelpskeeptrackoffinancialexpenditures.Appointingascribetomonitortheradioorhavingachecklistthatlistsactionstakenandthetimetheseactionsweretakenwillserveyouwellduringanemergency.Remember,thesedocumentsshouldbepreservedandsavedintheiroriginalformat.
Slide13
Whenacrisisoccursonschoolgrounds,thereareanumberofstepsthatmustbetakenbytheschoolcrisisteam.Let’sreviewthesestepsnow.
Confirmthefacts–Itmaytakeafewminutestoobtaintheinitialfactssurroundingtheincidentoremergency.
Ifanemergencyexists,call911–Alwayserronthesideofcautioniftheteamisunsureaboutcalling911andrequestingassistance.
Notifydistrictpersonnel,keypeople,andkeyagencies–ThisshouldnotalwaysbetheSchoolIncidentCommandertomakethesecalls.Othercrisisteammembersshouldbeassignedtoassistwiththesetasks.
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Dealwiththeimmediatesituation–Therewillbeplentyofthingstodealwithduringacrisis;however,thecrisisteammustmaintainitsfocusinresolvingthemostimmediateandlife‐threateningproblems.
Convenetheschoolcrisisteam–Someemergencies,likealockdown,maypreventtheimmediategatheringoftheschoolcrisisteam.Thismightberesolvedthroughtheuseoftwo‐wayradios,aconferencecallorviae‐mail.
Communicatewithstudents,staff,communityleaders,andparentleaders–Thismustbedoneearlyandoften.Makesureparentsunderstandhowyouwillcommunicatewiththemduringanemergencywhetheritisanemergencynotificationthatcalls,emailsandsendstextmessages,orawebsiteorvialocaltelevisionandradio.
Slide14
Activatetheaccountabilitysystemforstudentsandstaff–Remember,thisshouldbeabletobeimplementedatanypointduringtheday.
Setupthecommandcenter–Initially,thismayonlybetheschoolincidentcommanderandtheschoolcrisisteam,butasfirstrespondersarrive,moreresourceswillbeavailable.
Implementthemediarelationsplan–ThisisacriticalpieceofyouroverallschoolemergencyplanandspecificstaffshouldbedesignatedasyourPublicInformationOfficers,orPIOs.
Informparentsandthecommunity Interactwithvariousagencies–Remember,everyoneshouldbeusing
theincidentcommandsystemtoguidetheirresponseactions. Providestaffsupport–Schoolstaffwilllikelyhavealotofquestions,
needtobedebriefed,andneedemotionalsupportfromaschoolcrisisteam.
Communicatewithstudents,staffandparentsastheincidentdevelops
ThesestepsarealsolistedintheGeneralCrisisResponseStepshandoutinyourresourcefolder.
Slide15
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Takeamomenttoanswerthefollowingquestion.Whatschoolcriseshaveyouhadtorespondtoduringyourcareer?
Slide16
Thisbulletinboardshowsexamplesofschoolcrisesthatpastparticipantsofthistraininghaveexperiencedduringtheircareers.
Slide17
Inthecaseofnaturaldisasters,therecommendedstepsaresimilar,butthereareafewimportantdistinctions.Itisrecommendedthatschools:
Notifythedistrictoffice–thisisalwaysanimportantstepforschoolsafter911hasbeencalled.
Activatetheschoolcrisisteam Implementthecrisisresponseplan Evacuatetheschoolandattendtoimmediatefirstaidneeds
Slide18
Obtainaccurateinformationaboutthetotalsituation Implementtheplantoprovideinformationtoallschoolpersonnel Notifyallparentsofinvolvedstudentsregardingthedisaster Providecurrentinformationregardingstudentstatusandprovide
directionstothesite–Specifically,wherethestudentreunificationcenterwillbelocated.
Slide19
Establishareleasecenterorfamilyreunificationcenterwhichmaybeoffsite
Establishaninformationcenterforthecommunity,includingthepress–often,underICS,thisisreferredtoasaJointinformationCenter,orJIC.
Usethemediatoassistinprovidinginformationtoparents,ifappropriate–Themediacanreallyprovideassistanceinbroadcastingtheschool’sinstructionstoparents.Forexample,themediamaybeable
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toassistinannouncingwheretheschoolwillreleasestudentstotheirparentsorguardians.
Mobilizeindividualandgroupcounselingsupportandinvolvecommunityagencies,asnecessaryandappropriate–Havingcurrentemergencycontactlistsformentalhealthsupportandagoodplanforimplementingthissupportwillbeinvaluableduringacrisis.
Holdbefore‐schoolstaffmeetingstodiscussinterventionandassignmentofroles–Thisisacriticalpieceforschoolleadershiptoinitiatewithallschoolstaffsothatstudentsandstaffwhoarehavingdifficultycopingwiththesituationcanbeidentifiedandprovidedassistance.
ThesestepsarealsolistedintheRespondingtoNaturalDisastershandoutinyourresourcefolder.
Slide20
Intheeventofacrisisonschoolgrounds,thereareanumberofactionsthatmustbetakenquicklyinordertosavelivesandminimizeotherharmtostudentsandstaff.Thefirsttaskistodeterminewhattypeofeventisoccurringandwhatisthebestimmediatecourseofaction(lockdown,evacuation,containment,orshelterinplace).Oncethedecisionismade,thereareseveralactionsthatshouldoccurwithinthefirsthourafterthecriticalincidenthappens.Let’slookatthoseactionsnow.
Securesafetyofstudents,staff,andothers
Placecallstoappropriateemergencyservices–Ifitissafetodoso,besuretohavestaffdesignatedtomeetfirstrespondersoutsideinordertoquicklyguidethemintotheexactlocationoftheemergency.
Providemedicalhelpasneeded–Besureallschoolstaffknowwhohasbasicmedicaltrainingsotheseindividualscanbequicklynotifiedtopossiblyprovideearlymedicalassistance.
Remaincalmandkeepothersquietsoyoucanhearthearrivaloffirstresponders
Slide21
Doublecheckcommunicationsystemsandassignments
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Verifyallassignments–Makesurethatkeypersonnelinyourplanarepresentinthebuildingandnotabsent.Iftheyarenotavailable,thentheirback‐upsshouldfilltheirroleorresponsibility.
Checkiftheassignedmediapersonispresentandensuretheyareresponding
Slide22
Directallstudentsandstafftoa“saferoom”–Again,thisdependsonwhattypeofemergencyisoccurring.
Checkifyourresponseteamcancollaboratewithpoliceand/orfirefighterstoroamthehalls,playground,lunchroom,etc.–IamalwaysamazedwhenIreviewschoolemergencyplansundertheschoollockdownsectionwhereIseeinstructionsforschoolstafftocheckbathrooms,hallwaysandsweeptheschoolforstudents.Althoughitisagoodideatohavespecificproceduresorshelterareasforstudentswhomaygetcaughtoutsidetheclassroomduringalock‐downscenario,itisnotagoodideaforschoolstaffthatareunarmedtoroamthehallswhileapossiblearmedthreatexists.Thisiswhyitisgoodtocoordinatewithfirstresponderstomakesurethatschoolstaff,dependingontheparticularsituation,canroamthehallstocheckforstudentsandotherissues.
Planadebriefingmeetingforstaff Plancommunicationwithparents
Slide23
Decidewhetheranyplannedschooleventsshouldbecanceled–Thisisaconsiderationformanyemergenciesthatoccuronschoolgrounds.Additionally,someschoolemergenciesmayevenpromptschoolofficialstocancelschooloperationsforthenextdayorforseveraldays.Thisinformationmustbequicklycommunicatedtoparentsandthemedia.
Planforsupportgroupinvolvement,andgetcommunityassistancefromappropriateagencies–Besurethatyouknowwhoisonyourcampusduringanemergency.Often,ithasbeenreportedthatduringpastschoolemergenciesthat“opportunists”arriveonyourcampustoassistbutreallytheyaresimplyattemptingtopromotethemselvesortheir
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businesssothatcansaytheyrespondedtoyourparticularschoolemergency.
Decideifadditionalsupportpeopleareneeded Beginstrategiesforrumorcontrol–SchoolITpersonnelshouldmonitor
theschool’sFacebookpageand/orTwitterfeeds,asapplicable,totrytocorrectrepostsandinaccurateinformation.Also,havinganinformationline,possiblyatthedistrictoffice,forparentstocallmayhelpinprovidingaccurateinformationtothecommunityregardingtheemergency.
ThesestepsarealsolistedintheTimelinessofCrisisResponsehandoutinyourresourcefolder.
Slide24
Now,let’sseehowyouwouldrespondinthefirsthourafteracriticalincidentorcrisisforanewscenario.ClickonthelinktoopentheTimelinessofCrisisResponseActivityScenario.Youcanalsodownloadandprintthisscenariofromyourresourcefolder.
Theobjectiveofthisactivityistoidentifyspecificresponseactivitiesyourcrisisresponseteamwouldtakeimmediatelyafteracriticalincidentorcrisisoccurs.Readthroughthescenarioanduseittoanswerthequestionprovided.YoumayfindithelpfultorefertothekeyissuesintheTimelinessofCrisisResponsehandoutinyourresourcefolder.
Theresponsescanbeincorporatedintothecrisisresponseportionofyourjurisdiction’sschoolsafetyplan.
Whenyouaredone,clicktheforwardarrowtocontinue.
Slide25
Ifacommandcenterneedstobesetuptorespondtoacrisisonschoolgrounds,thereareseveralimportantconsiderationstokeepinmind:
Thefunctionsofthecommandcenterwillvarywiththesituation–Besuresomeoneisassignedtodocumentresponseactionsandtimes,
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trackresourcesandequipmentanddocumentanyfinancialexpenditures.
Thecommandcenterneedstobeeasilyaccessible‐‐dependingonthecrisis,anofficemaybeadequate,oralargerspace,suchasthegym,maybenecessarytoaccommodateeveryone
Theschoolcrisisteamcouldmakeupsignsaheadoftimetouseifacrisisoccurs
Theschoolcrisisteamshouldhaveaccesstoatelephone,faxmachine,copiers,andintercom
Itishelpfulforthecrisisteamtohaveatleastonesupportstaffpersontoassistwithcommunications,supplies,andequipment
Slide26
Someofthemostchallengingtasksfacedbythecrisisresponseteamarenotificationoffamilymembersaboutcrisesonschoolgroundsandrequestingconfirmationofincidentsinvolvingstudentinjuryordeaththathaveoccurredelsewhere.Let’slookatinformationthatyouwillneedwhenconfirmingacrisisordeathwithafamily.
Contacttheschool’sprincipalordesigneewhonotifiesthesuperintendentorhisorherdesignee.TheprincipalordesignatedSchoolCrisisTeammemberwillthenconfirmwithlawenforcementandthefamily.Remember,deathnotificationisthejoboflawenforcement.
Callthedistrictcrisisteamleadertoinformthemaboutthecrisisordeath,consultwithhimorheraboutthecrisis,anddecidewhetherheorsheneedstocontactotherdistrictcrisisteammembersorresources.Remember,otherschoolsmaybeimpactedifthestudentorstaffmemberhasfamilymembersatotherschoolsinthedistrict.
Alsorememberto:
Makeanefforttohonorthefamily’swishesaboutwhatinformationshouldbesharedwithothers.Atthesametime,pointouttothefamilytheadvantagesofsharingfactualinformation.
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Askamemberorfriendofthefamilytobetheon‐goingcontactpersonwithwhomtheschoolcanstayintouch.Thispersoncanhelpwithretrievingastudentorstaffmember’spersonalbelongingsfromalocker,classroomorotherareasinthebuilding.Schoolstaffshouldalsothinkaboutremovingthestudent,staffmemberorfamilyfromanymailinglists,phonecontactlists,oranyotherroutinenotificationsorcommunicationsthatmaybesentinthefuture,asappropriate.
Requestinformationaboutthefuneralarrangementsormemorialservice.
Ifyouarecallingtoconfirmtheinformationaboutaneventthathasoccurredoffcampus,familiesusuallyappreciatesuchacallanddonotseeitasintrusive.
Slide27
Now,youwillapplytheconceptsthatyouhavelearnedinthistraining.Youwillcompleteanactivitythatwillapplyyourknowledgeinacrisisrecoveryscenario.
Useanyofthedocumentsinyourresourcefolderasneededforthisactivity.
ClickonthelinktoopentheRespondingtoaCrisisActivityScenario.Youcanalsodownloadandprintthisscenariofromyourresourcefolder.
Readthroughthescenarioanduseittoanswerthequestionsprovidedonthenextfewslides.
Theresponsescanbeincorporatedintothecrisisresponseportionofyourjurisdiction’sschoolsafetyplan.
Whenyouaredone,clicktheforwardarrowtocontinue.
Slide28
Answerthefollowingquestionsusingthescenarioprovidedandclicktheforwardarrowtocontinueonceyouaredone.
Slide29
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Answerthefollowingquestionsusingthescenarioprovidedandclicktheforwardarrowtocontinuewhenyouaredone.
Slide30
Inthistraining,wegaineddirectexperienceinplanningaresponseforimplementingacrisismanagementplan,determinedwhatactionsyouwouldtakeduringthefirstcriticalhourfollowinganincident,anddevelopedaresponsestrategyforacrisisscenario.Bydetermininghowyouwouldrespondtoacrisis,youdevelopedorrevisedapartofyourschoolsafetyplan.
Thereisonenoteofcautionregardingrespondingtoacrisis:Keepupwithcurrent,suggestedpracticesforrespondingtoalltypesofcrises,asnewanddifferent(orunplanned)typesofcrisescanoccur.Beawareofcurrentdirectivesonhowtorespondtomatterssuchasbioterrorism,whichcanundergogreatdifferencesfromoneincidenttoanotherrequiringdivergentresponseactions.
Clicktheforwardarrowtocompletethistrainingbytakingashortquizonwhatyouhavelearned.Onceyoucompletethequiz,pleasetakeafewminutestocompletetheevaluationforthistraining.Yourfeedbackisimportanttous.