By Rob WilliamsFebruary 16, 20121315 hrs

What's the Worst Thing That Can Happen?

Active Shooter – Columbine or Virginia TechTerrorism AttackNatural Disaster – flood, earthquake, fireMan-made disaster – train derailment, chemical explosion etc.

Pandemics Bomb ThreatsChild Snatching by noncustodial parentsStudent/staff injury caused by students or intruders

Potential Hazards Proximity to toxic, flammable, corrosive, chemically reactive or other

hazardous materials. Proximity of high voltage power lines. Proximity to earthquake fault lines. Likelihood and possible effects of flooding, including proximity to

creeksthat may surge over their banks.

Likelihood of a wild land fire. Likelihood of severe weather. Hanging fixtures on ceilings, such as fluorescent lights. Locations of windows, particularly those near doorways. Stability of bookcases and shelving in classrooms as well as the

objectson the shelves, cabinets and hanging on walls.

Stability of water heaters. Security of AV equipment, computers, TV monitors, piano, aquariums,

etc. from motion during an earthquake. Impediments to evacuation and transportation. Inadequate storage of chemicals and labeling on containers.

Is this your school?

PurposeModern research in the field of disaster and emergency management indicates that school safety depends heavily on the interest that parents, teachers, administrators, students and other community members including fire, police and ambulance representatives.

By involving all stakeholders in the identification of potential hazards a more encompassing set of solutions and programs can be incorporated.

The BasicsIdentify hazards likely to happen to your school

Mitigate against the hazardsDevelop a response plan, including evacuation route

Develop a plan for coping after a disaster

Implement drills and family education

ResearchStudents show higher academic achievement where there is a safe and orderly environment (Janerette, 2005)

If a school is safe, students are better able to learn

Safe schools are everyone’s businessPublic safety is broader than just enforcement of the law

This types of collaboration is going to be more effective because of the long term trust and cooperation that will be sustained

Creating a Disaster PlanOutlines general response planning, as well as Hazard specific response plans

Combines other plans under one umbrella to prepare for the worst case scenario

Contains contingency planning for an Emergency Operations Centre

Membership of committee is diverse throughout school staff, students and faculty

What Schools Need to KnowSchools need well-designed disaster preparedness plans that are familiar to staff and students and that have been practiced regularly

Relationships between school officials and local law-enforcement and first-responder agencies need to be established long before an emergency

Response protocols should be clear and understood by all parties

Teachers and students need to have a role in the response to an emergency during the 5-7 minutes before first responders arrive at the school

Where to StartFree courses that outline everything you need to know as a school

Emergency Management OntarioFederal Emergency Management AgencyEmergency Management Australia Online groups and monthly safety reports

Ready Classroom

School Hazard Assessment TeamsThe school hazard assessment team should be a diverse group of people concerned with the safety of the school

This group might include the following:1. Custodian / Maintenance Supervisor2. School Administrator3. Teachers4. Students5. Parents

Staff Skills InventoryStaff skills inventory list will help administrators and first responders plan assignments during emergencies

Information provided should identify the following: 1. First Aid / CPR / emergency medical2. Search and rescue3. Counselling / Mental Health4. Hazardous materials5. Fire fighting6. Media relations7. Multilingual fluency8. CB radio / Ham Radio Experience

Safety BoxIncludes all the essential information of a major critical incident

Quickly locate and disseminate information

Unified command structureBetter communication and coordination

ContentsMapCampus layoutBlueprint of School BuildingTeacher/employee rosterKeysFire alarm/sprinkler turn-off proceduresUtilities/gas shut off valveCable television/satellite feed shut-offStudent photosCommand post/staging areas

More ContentsStudent Disposition Forms and Emergency Data Cards

Student Attendance RosterList of Students with Special Needs First Aid supply locations

Fire Response to the Columbine Tragedy

1900 students exiting school, lack of correct information passed between agencies, and students unable to get through to 911 because they didn’t know to dial 9 first for an outside line

Littleton Fire Dept initially responded to a diversionary bomb 2.5 miles from the school

When first units arrived incorrect information told them the shooting was drive by and all was safe in the school

Had to fall back due to the direct gunfire Firefighters and paramedics needed police

protection to attend to the injured outside

Fire Response to the Columbine Tragedy

SWAT members were instructed how to drive fire vehicles used as barricades to move injured people away from the school

Fire fighters were ordered to remove their station uniforms to not be confused with police

Several bombs caused fires and smoke and sprinkler activation which police personnel had to work through to clear school and help wounded

EMS unable to determine if gunshots were the shooters or the police, again communication issue

EMS and fire fighters encountered home made bombs but had no training on how to deal with them

Lessons Learned Fire, Police and Ambulance need more

training together under a unified command PPV fans would have been beneficial to clear

smoke but fire fighters were not allowed in due to safety concerns

Fire fighters later responded to an odour investigation (more bombs at one of the shooters home)

Fire fighters and EMS using aggressive pre-hospital care saved several lives

How could school staff and students assist with response phase? Can these lesson be applied to other emergencies at a school?

Lessons LearnedSo many cell phones being used in the area that the cell site become overloaded and shut down.

So many relatives attended the school that roads were gridlocked and emergency vehicles were unable to get through

Training and PreparationResearch indicates challenges to implementing recommended practices stem from a lack of equipment, training for staff, and personnel with expertise in the area of emergency planning

No plan for extended school closureLack of training with first responders

Training and PreparationPractice the emergency management plan with first responders and community partners on a regular basis

Develop multi-purpose manuals, with emergency management information, that can be tailored to meet individual school needs

Improve staff training

Questions?