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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.