If these possibilities exist—in order to ensure student and staff safety, use the following as guidelines for action:
Students / staff move to safe location outside / inside of building
Move people away from animal threat
Don’t try to scare animal away—the animal may become alarmed and cause a negative reaction
If safety permits, assign staff to keep track of animal until it moves off school property or assistance arrives
Contact the following:
Principal
Superintendent
Parents / Guardians
If danger to students / staff safety—law enforcement (911)
Liaison Officer 774-1234
If appropriate, the school (s) of siblings
Initiate a building lockdown—keep everyone inside, if appropriate
If someone is injured, administer first aid—contact emergency authorities
Media involvement: follow guidelines in media section of this EMP
Listen to weather advisories on radio / TV
Winter storm watch --- severe winter weather possible, i.e. cold air, strong winds, snow accumulation
Winter storm warning --- snowfall expected to exceed six inches in a twelve-hour period or eight inches in a twenty-four hour period
Blizzard warning --- severe winter weather ---sustained winds 35 miles / hour expected---considerable snow---most dangerous winter storm
Keep students inside
Contact the following:
Superintendent
Building principal
Transportation coordinator
Media
School may be designated as shelter during emergencies---community members seeking shelter from severe storm---be prepared
Alert food services staff---prepare emergency food---possible late afternoon / evening meals
Provide students with information / instructions
Release students to parents / guardians with proper identification
Two basic reasons why an individual will communicate a bomb threat:
Caller has knowledge of or believes that an explosion device has been placed in or around the school building and wishes to minimize damage or injury
Caller wishes to create anxiety, panic, or disruption of routine daily activities
To make the best decision, administrators need to do the following things:
Get all the facts
Make appropriate judgements by evaluating all the information and possible risks
The main concern in managing a bomb threat is to make the correct judgement between two contradictory actions:
Evacuate the school and guarantee the immediate safety of students and staff and disrupt a significant portion of the instructional day
Keep school in session, thus avoiding any instructional disruption at the price of possibly endangering students and staff
WHAT TO DO IF A BOMB THREAT
IS RECEIVED
Individual Receiving the Call
Procedures:
Call taken by student---refer to adult immediately
What to do during the call:
Try and keep the caller on the phone as long as possible---complete bomb threat form---ask questions from form
Write down caller’s exact words
Be aware of background noise (i.e. traffic, music, other voices / sounds)
Listen carefully to caller’s voice, accent, male / female, attitude
Record phone call if possible
Alert police department---Do not use walkie –talkies, portable radios, cell phones or the PA system---it might detonate explosive device
Don’t share call information with other employees, unless instructed by superintendent.
Written bomb threat received: save all material---do not handle it after it’s been determined information contains a threat
Turn written materials over to law enforcement as soon as they arrive on scene
BUILDING PRINCIPAL
Assess all information, if caller states bomb to detonate imminently / gives details on construction of bomb, consider immediate evacuation
Contact the following:
Police / fire departments---IT IS NOT ALWAYS NECESSARY TO EVACUATE THE BUILDING
Superintendent
Local area schools, if appropriate
Initiate building evacuation plan if safe / appropriate. Do not ring the fire alarm or use the PA system---it might detonate the explosive device
Adult runners go to rooms to inform teachers—lead students to outside evacuation area
Act as liaison with law enforcement / fire department personnel
Have building maps / master keys available for use by search squads
If necessary, assign staff to search building---only custodial / administrative staff work with law enforcement—other staff members do not participate in search
Consult with police—authorize “all clear” signal and return students / staff to building
Decision point: several hours to complete search—open / search each locker in building—bomb is found
Contact Superintendent
Dismiss school using “Student Release” section of this plan
Contact transportation immediately
Contact parents in appropriate manner
Complete a written report of incident
Teachers—if evacuation is signaled
Lock doors as you leave
Use fire drill exits assigned to room—if fire drill exit is not safe, use nearest safe exit
Move students at least 1,000 feet from building—keep students together
Remain outside until advised to return inside
Students / staff already outside: remain outside until advised to return inside
Imminent Danger:
Time is critical factor
Use fire alarm bell, intercom system, walkie-talkies or whatever means available to signal the building evacuation. You may also consider using walkie talkies to communicate with key staff during any bomb threat situation but only on a limited, as needed, emergency basis!!
Immediate decision to evacuate the facility:
No imminent danger—information from bomb threat caller indicates need to evacuate (i.e. location of bomb, type of bomb, other specifics), make the decision to evacuate the facility
Have a procedure to communicate to staff—school received a bomb threat—going to evacuate
Teachers do quick visual search of their classroom as they prepare to leave. If something out of place or unusual is found, do not touch it and report it immediately to the office
Staff follows normal evacuation procedures—go to assigned evacuation area (s). Close and lock classroom doors. Once at the evacuation site, teachers take roll and account for students
Decision to evacuate the facility immediately but do visual search first:
Have a procedure to communicate to staff—school received a bomb threat—NOT going to evacuate at this time and want staff to do a quick visual search of their classrooms.
Inform staff—not ringing passing bells—keep students in classroom until they receive further information from the office.
Assign staff team to do quick visual search of common building areas; i.e. restrooms, gyms, locker rooms, hallways, cafeteria, auditorium, etc. If something out of place or unusual is found, do not touch it—report it immediately to the office
Do not ring bells or have students move throughout the school until the search is completed and the building is declared clear
Important Considerations:
Remember, under normal circumstances (no imminent danger and time is not a critical factor) DO NOT use your fire alarm, intercom or walkie-talkies to communicate bomb threat information
Bomb threat communication
Divide your faculty into areas or zones—assign adult runners to each zone (don’t forget temporary classrooms)
Runner carries prepared written statement to the teachers in each classroom explaining what needs to be done
Runner calls teacher outside the room—asks them to visually inspect their room for anything unusual or out of place. If they find anything, do not touch it and report it immediately to the office
Building zone map(s) and written statements for every classroom by zone prepared before bomb threat is received
One message if you decide to do an immediate evacuation (no imminent danger)—second message for doing a visual search first with a possible decision to evacuate that will follow as a result of a search of the building
Have students take their backpacks and other personal belongings with them if you evacuate the facility. DO NOT let them go to their locker!!
Staff should be informed of and familiar with these procedures before you need to use them!!
BOMB SEARCH TECHNIQUES
The following procedures implemented when conducting bomb search:
Work in two-person teams—one building / one law enforcement personnel
Look for objects out of the ordinary—unusual—out of place
If you find something: DON’T TOUCH OR MOVE IT—REPORT IT TO LAW ENFORCEMENT
Assign search teams specific areas to search—provide teams with building map—designate each search area
Search completed—teams report back to principal’s office
Search public areas first (i.e. lobby, restrooms, hallway’s, auditoriums)
Search classroom, storage rooms, offices, boiler rooms second
Divide each room by height—search areas from floor to hip / table height first
Start at perimeter of room—same starting point—go in opposite directions
Next, search middle of room up to hip / table top height
Start at perimeter—search hip to head height –then middle of room
Start at perimeter—search top of head to ceiling height—then middle of room
Search outside perimeter of building—behind bushes / trees—investigate nooks and crannies
The possibility of an explosion in a school building creates an immediate dangerous situation for students and staff. Lives may be in danger and a quick effective response is essential to minimize the possibility. The following priorities must be considered if the possibility of an explosion exists and / or an actual explosion occurs.
Evacuate the building immediately (use EMP evacuation signal / procedures)
Assign staff to check building ---ensure everyone is outside
Contact the following:
Police and fire departments (911)
Appropriate utility company (s)
District Facilities Department
Principal
Superintendent
Iron Mountain Police Department 774-1234
Neighboring schools
Don’t attempt to disconnect main gas, fuel or electric mains ---wait for public service companies
Implement emergency management plan
Media involvement ---follow the guidelines media section of this EMP
When you receive information about a bus accident, follow the guidelines indicated below:
record accident location, time of day, bus number, route, student / adult injuries (number / names)
initiate the appropriate communication contacts:
Transportation Office (bus dispatched to pick-up non-injured students, continue bus route)
911---if call hasn’t already been made
Superintendent
Building Administrator
Appropriate family member (s)---use bus / student list or emergency card info
Neighboring schools (artic area) --- ask for counseling support for student / staff if needed
District Crisis Response Team
Students injured: get info --- hospital (s) sent to---share with parents / guardians
Appoint staff member (s) to go to hospital (s) --- liaison between District --- parents and hospital
Appoint staff member (s) to go to accident site with cell phone --- relay info to Command Post
Media involvement: follow guidelines in media section of this EMP
The school administration should be aware of circumstances that might create civil disturbances and / or public demonstrations within the school (i.e.. a student walkout or an outside individual or group that incites student participation in an inappropriate activity)
Use the following ideas as guidelines for action:
Student / staff safety is the first priority
Assess situation—identify who, what, when, where, why and how
Signal emergency management team to meet immediately
If situation warrants, signal building lockdown
General walkout / uncontrolled disturbance—DO NOT attempt to stop students
Assign staff member to maintain contacts with group / keep track of their location
Contact the following:
Principal
Superintendent
Iron Mountain Police Department 774-1234
Liaison Officer 774-1234
If appropriate, law enforcement (911)
Local area schools, if necessary
If appropriate, secure building entrances—guard utilities, fire alarms, furnace rooms / school equipment
Keep switchboard clear for emergency calls
As much as possible, maintain school activities
Media involvement: follow guidelines under media section of this EMP
Suggestions:
Create a student advisory council—representatives of special interest groups, clubs, athletics, ethnic groups, and social groups
Use council to discuss positive actions school can take to prevent and react to internal occurrences—respond to student issues
Establish policies/ procedures to handle student (s) who violated school regulation / contributed to civil disturbance
SHOTS HEARD: The following staff guidelines should be followed:
Outside with students
Alert students in area --- have them drop to the ground immediately
Vehicle leaves premises ---students quickly enter building
Vehicle returns---students drop to the ground
Administer first aid
Report incident / injured student (s) names to Principal
Get names of witnesses ---report them to the office
Support law enforcement investigation---provide applicable information
Inside with students:
Have students immediately get down on the floor ---stay away from windows
Lock classroom doors
Ensure all students stay in classroom and don’t leave
Wait for further instructions---all clear signal from Principal
Logistics personnel contact law enforcement (911), Liaison officer 774-1234. Share pertinent information: your name / position, location, number of intruders, their location (s), type of weapon (s), description of intruder: height, weight, gender, hair / eye color, clothing, ethnicity
Implement Emergency Management Plan
Initiate appropriate communication contacts:
Principal
Superintendent
Iron Mountain Police Department 774-1234
Neighboring schools---alert them to possible drive-bys at their school
District Crisis Response Team, if needed
Our Emergency Management Plan provides for most emergency situations, but in the case of an earthquake, some additional areas must be considered. These areas include:
Identify potential earthquake hazards inside school i.e. free-standing cabinets, bookcases, aquariums, wall-mounted TV’s, clocks, etc.
Identify special hazards in / around the school, i.e. gas and electrical power lines
Identify potential earthquake hazards along evacuation routes
Identify location of main water / electric / gas shut-off valves
Identify location of chemical storage areas---gas lines in labs
Identify location of fire extinguishers
Identify food / water requirements
First-aid supplies
If earthquake occurs, immediate danger is being hit by falling objects. Do the following:
Take action first indication of ground shaking—if you wait, it’s more difficult to move
Stay inside
Turn-off gas-operated equipment (i.e. Bunsen burners)---stay away from chemicals
Stay away from windows, shelves, heavy objects that may fall
Take cover under table, desk / counter, in a corner of room / doorway
Hallway’s, stairways or areas without cover: move to inside wall, kneel with back to wall, place head to knees, cover head, support neck by clasping hands behind head
Anticipate noise causing emotional stress---frightening especially to small children
When quake is over: extinguish fires, shut-off gas / electricity if needed, close-off / label areas where hazardous materials have spilled
Take action first indication of ground shaking; if you wait, it is more difficult to move
Move to open space away from buildings / overhead power lines
Lie down on ground, don’t try to stand up
Be aware of potential dangers (i.e. power lines, trees, etc.)
On school bus---stay on the bus---students remain in seats.
Emergency: Call 9-1-1
| City Police | 774-1234 |
| Ambulance | 779-5050 |
| Sheriff's Department | 774-6262 |
| State Police | 774-2121 |
| Hospital | 774-1313 |
| Liaison Officer | 777-0735 |
| Gas/Electric Company | 1-800-662-4797 |
| City of Iron Mountain | 774-8530 |
| NorthPointe | 774-0522 |
| Clergy | 774-4211 |
| Transportation | 779-2624 or 396-2496 |
| Breitung Township Schools | 779-2650 |
| Dickinson-Iron Intermediate School District | 779-2690 |
| Superintendent's Office | 779-2600 or 250-5674 |
| Poison Control | 1-800-222-1222 |
Fire drill information provided to all substitute staff members
Fire exits identified---communicated to staff / students
Fire drill exits / routes posted in classrooms--appropriate locations
Staff familiar with location / operation of fire extinguishers
Stairways, doors, exits inspected daily--free from obstructions--exit paths kept clear
Eight fire drills—held different hours of the day during school year
Building evacuation occurs due to false alarm--count as required drill
Communicate with staff / students after drill—good job, need to exit building more quickly, etc.
Fire alarms sounded--all personnel leave building
Fire alarm sounded--principal contacts fire department—evacuate using fire drill procedures
Faculty / students assemble outside—minimum distance of fifty (50) feet from building—don’t block fire engines arriving on scene
Teacher (last one to leave room)—assist disabled students—once everyone is out, close classroom door—DO NOT lock door
Don’t close windows—do turn off equipment
Administrators / custodians check halls, lavatories, closets, storage areas, etc, for students / staff
If outside: students join assigned class
Students not in assigned class: join any teacher’s group
Teachers take attendance—account for students
Recall signal separate / distinct—don’t use class dismissal bells—use voice notification, hand-held airhorn or whistle
Fire alarm systems monitored by District administrator—principal notifies fire department in case of fire.
All media referred to district superintendent’s office
Flood Watch indicates that conditions are right for flooding to occur. Flood Warning indicates rising water threatens to damage or wash out bridges, close roads, inundate buildings, etc.
The following are considerations during a possible flood scenario:
Assign staff member to monitor radio / TV broadcasts
Flash flood WATCH ---be ready to take appropriate action if a warning is issued
Flash flood WARNING requires prompt action if you are in an area subject to flooding
Evacuate students to higher ground
Keep students off of flood waters
Disconnect utilities ---electricity / gas (don’t touch electrical equipment if floors are wet or under water)
Report damaged utility lines to appropriate company
Water may become contaminated during floods ---don’t use water sources for drinking until declared safe
School evacuation: current weather ---rising water / road conditions considered
School supplies / materials moved if in danger of water damage
School is evacuation center for people displaced by flooding: food / supplies / medical services provided by other county agencies
If a number of students become ill due to possible food poisoning, use the following as guidelines for action:
Bring ill students to central location, i.e. gymnasium, library
Contact school nurse
Assign staff to monitor ill students
Call the following:
Health Department
Superintendent
Building Principal
Parents / Guardians
If appropriate, 911
If appropriate, the school (s) of siblings
Food Services staff save ALL foods in kitchen
Keep accurate records of involved students --- what hospital they were taken
This type of emergency usually occurs when a truck, train, car or pipeline is damaged or a gas line is broken and chemical materials are leaking or spilled at or near a school site. The major threat from this kind of situation is toxic fumes and / or skin contact. Notification about HazMat concerns is given in several ways; someone reports the odor of gas and / or chemicals, warning sirens or horns, weather alert radios, emergency broadcast system through radio / TV, law enforcement and / or fire department personnel. A HazMat emergency situation is usually handled in one of two ways:
If a decision is made to evacuate, use fire drill evacuation procedure in the Key Decision section of this flip chart. Evacuate students away from the location of the chemical problem. Move everyone uphill / upwind from the situation. Wind and water can quickly transport hazardous materials.
The building principal initiates communication contacts:
911 ---they will contact agencies that might need to be involved
774-6622 contact Emergency Coordinator
Superintendent
Head custodian
All media referred to District Superintendents office
Neighboring schools
District Crisis Response Team
Shelter in place utilizes classroom, office or storage space to provide temporary / relatively safe shelter from the release of hazardous material (s) in the vicinity of the school building. Shelter in place signal will be “Attention---Implement Shelter in Place Procedures Immediately. “ Shelter in place directions are the classrooms, media center, office, and areas in buildings where students and staff are located.
Initiate appropriate communication contacts:
911---they will contact agencies that might need to be involved
Area administrator
District Facilities Department
District Communications Department
Neighboring schools
District Crisis Response Team
Types of Materials
Custodians should have MSDS information about hazardous chemicals in each building. A copy of this information should also be placed in the emergency “GO “ box. The phone number for Poison Control Center is: 1-800-222-1222
If students / staff come into contact with HazMat material; the information below will help minimize physical damage and improve recovery possibilities
Corrosive Materials---substances cause physical damage to tissue
Wash –out eyes for 15-20 minutes---keep eyelids open---don’t’ rub affected area
Get under shower, if possible---remove all clothing---wash with soap / water
Flammable Materials---liquids / gases that burn readily
Evacuate students / staff immediately from area
Turn-off main gas / electrical supplies
Toxic Materials---poisonous substances
Wash hands / affected area immediately
Take off / discard contaminated clothing
Use appropriate antidote, if available
Reactive Materials---substances that undergo change---may result in an explosion, burning, corrosive / toxic condition
Close all doors
Evacuate students / staff immediately to safe area
Implement decontamination procedures from local fire department / health personnel
It is important to be aware that hazardous materials may be delivered to a school site in a variety of ways, including the mail we receive. If you receive a suspicious letter or package (see below) at your site, do the following immediately:
Contact district liaison officer (906) 774-1234
Contact your area administrator
Letters or parcels that:
Are unexpected or from someone unfamiliar to you
Are addressed to someone no longer with your organization or are otherwise outdated or no longer at that address
Are handwritten or have no return address or a return address that can’t be verified as legitimate
Are of unusual weight given the package size, or lumpy, lopsided, or oddly shaped
Are marked with restrictive endorsements, such as “Personal” or “Confidential”
Have protruding wires, strange odors or stains
Are sealed with excessive amounts of tape
Have excessive postage
Show a city or state in the postmark that doesn’t match the return address
Do not try to open the parcel
Isolate the parcel (wear protective gloves) and keep it away from others
Evacuate the immediate area
Follow the District Emergency Management Plan, if necessary
Exposure: can enter the body by inhalation, skin contact or consumption of contaminated food---it cannot be passed from person to person
Symptoms: usually develop within 7 days of exposure---inhalation: fever, body aches, tiredness, cough, chest discomfort, sweating, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, blueness around nailbeds or lips, shock---cutaneous: local edema (sores) occur resulting in circular ulcer / sore followed by possible discharge of fluid; sores may turn black after a few days---intestinal: inflammation of the intestinal tract, nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting and fever followed by abdominal pain, vomiting blood and diarrhea
Treatment: high dose antibiotics and possibly supportive therapy. Contact your doctor or local Health Department---listen to public health advisories on radio/TV
Exposure: eating contaminated food, infected wounds or aerosolized from---it cannot be passed person to person
Symptoms: blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, dry mouth, muscle weakness that descends from the shoulders down the body, possible paralysis of the arms, legs, trunk and respiratory muscles
Treatment: early food borne botulism can be treated with an antitoxin---if respiratory failure and paralysis occur, a breathing machine and intensive medical and nursing care may be required. Contact your doctor or local Health Department---listen to public health advisories on radio/TV
Exposure: from a wild rodent with infected fleas or inhaling bacteria---can be passed from person to person
Symptoms: fever, cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, spitting up blood, shock
Treatment: antibiotics---work best if given within 8 to 24 hours of exposure. Contact your doctor or local Health Department---listen to public health advisories on radio/TV
Exposure: spread through the air or by contact with fluid from smallpox skin blisters---can be passed person to person
Symptoms: flu like symptoms, high fever for 2 to 4 days, body aches and pains, fatigue, vomiting, cluster-like skin lesions in the mouth, on the lips and face progressing to the rest of the body
Treatment: no wide spread vaccines available. Contact your doctor or local Health Department—listen to public health advisories on radio/TV
ILLNESS, INJURY OR DEATH
(Student or Staff)
INCIDENT OCCURS OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL TIME---OFF SCHOOL GROUNDS AT A NON-SCHOOL SPONSORED ACTIVITY
Verity information with family---ask permission to communicate information
Initiate appropriate communication contacts:
Principal
Superintendent
Appropriate family member (use emergency card information)
Neighboring schools about situation
Articulation area Crisis Response Team leader---ask for counseling support for students / staff
Arrange on-going counseling support for first few days
Assign additional mental health professionals to work with highly impacted students / staff ---work with individuals and /or small groups (avoid large group interactions whenever possible)
Appoint staff member to visit hospital
Communicate factual information to staff (in person / written message)
Contact family to offer condolences, determine arrangements for services, donations, and other family wishes
Identify siblings, friends, feeder schools who may be impacted by situation---notify them
Media involvement: use media section of this EMP
Write letters to your parent community (get permission from immediate family of injured / deceased student/ staff to release information)
NEVER IDENTIFY DEATH AS A SUICIDE
Include specific info about funeral arrangements, school release procedures to attend memorial services, donations / other family wishes, and types of support counseling available
Make written materials on grief / trauma available
Provide counseling referrals upon request
If there is a death, arrange to have deceased name removed from all official District lists including class / attendance lists, grade book, automated phone calling systems, mailing lists, etc
Collect personal items from desk, lockers—return to family
Other considerations:
Break room, food and drink for staff and crisis team
Help staff understand that there is no “right way” to grieve
Be prepared for staff and students who can’t handle regular daily school schedule—provide substitute needs and a counselor
INCIDENT OCCURS AT SCHOOL ---OFF SCHOOL GROUNDS AT A SCHOOL-SPONSORED ACTIVITY
Immediate first aid---use student’s / staff health plan if on file
Initiate appropriate communication contacts:
911---share following information: your name / title, location, what happened, exact location of victim(s), name of victim(s) / age
Principal
Superintendent
Appropriate family member (use emergency card information)
Neighboring schools
Articulation area Crisis Response Team leader—ask for immediate counseling support for students / staff
Remove / keep students / staff away from area ---provide staff supervision
Assign staff to meet emergency vehicles
Emergency situation result of crime: don’t touch /move anything---wait for law enforcement arrival
Assign staff to set up support area---students / staff who witnessed situation
Staff member accompany ambulance to hospital—as liaison
Communicate factual information to staff---written / in person
Contact family: offer condolences---determine arrangements for services, donation family wishes
Identify siblings: staff and / or feeder schools impacted by situation---notify them
Media involvement: media referred to district superintendents office
File accident / incident report to appropriate District office (s)
Write letters to your parent community (get permission from immediate family injured / deceased student / staff to release information)
NEVER identify death as a suicide
Include specific information about funeral arrangements, school release procedures to attend memorial services, donations / other family wishes, and types of support counseling available.
Make written materials on grief / trauma available
Provide counseling referrals upon request
If there is a death: arrange to have deceased student / staff member’s name removed from all official District lists including class and attendance lists, grade book, automated phone calling systems, mailing lists, etc.
Collect personal items from desk, locker ---return to family
Other considerations:
Supply a break room---food and drink for staff / crisis team
Help staff understand there is no “ right away" to grieve
Be prepared for staff / students who can’t handle regular daily school schedule---provide for sub needs and a counselor
Emergency management is a complex job that requires effective planning and organization. Iron. Mountain Public Schools will utilize the Building Principal as the foundation for effective emergency management.
The system is designed on the following concepts:
Establishes common organizational structure, terminology, and operating procedures
Reduces confusion
Provides for tasks to be performed quickly / effectively
Establishes one person in charge of total emergency operation
Provides effective span of control—who is in charge of who / what
Provides effective communication/coordination of response agencies / school district
Provides effective transition of responsibility / authority during emergency situation
Most emergency situations will fall into two categories—those that require an instant reaction, i.e. drive-by shooting and those where there is time to think, plan and react, i.e. student death due to an accident on s Saturday. The Incident Command System provides direction for both of these categories.
INCIDENT COMMAND TEAM
The Incident Command Team:
Composed of school staff members—provides an organized chain of command / task responsibility
Includes Building Principal, Liaison Officer, Teachers, Social Workers, Nurses
Assumes Building Principal and repots to Principals office immediately upon emergency notification (if safe to do so)
Controls Immediate emergency response—provides leadership
Has primary and backup personnel assigned for each leadership responsibility
Relinquishes control when law enforcement / fire personnel arrive (if a crime has been committed or fire threat occurs)
Becomes part of the unified command structure along with law enforcement / fire personnel
Use intercom --- ask student to report to main office
Search facility / grounds for student
Check student records --- is there a custody issue
Call custodial parent or guardian
Contact the following:
Law enforcement (911)---give following information: student name, gender, age, grade level, when / where student was last seen, description of student, what he / she was wearing, parent / guardian name, parent / guardian address, parent / guardian hone number (s), school name / location, your name / position, your phone number, names of close friends of the victim, suspect (s) name (s) if any and license plate / make / model / color / description of vehicle
Area Administrator
District Liaison officer
Local area schools if appropriate
If possible, notify only staff members
Media involvement --- follow guidelines in the media section of this EMP
If weather conditions indicate the potential / reality of lightning, do the following:
All students inside building immediately ---- keep them inside
Don’t use telephones, cellular phones, radios and other communication devices unless absolutely necessary
Turn-off television sets and computers
If you can’t get inside:
Do not stand under trees / metal towers
Wooded area: look for shelter in low place with small trees
Out in open: go to low place like a valley, ditch or ravine
Get off hills --- don’t stand in open field where you are tall object
Get away from water / metal equipment, ie. motorcycles or bikes
Stay away from metal fencing, pipes / railings or anything metal which could carry lightning
Do not lie flat on the ground
POWER LINES DOWN ON OR NEAR SCHOOL GROUNDS---UTILITY FAILURE
If a power line is down on or near school grounds and / or there is utility failure (electrical power loss, gas shut-off, water shut-off, and sewer leak), the following procedures should be implemented:
Notify staff and students---power line down / utility failure occurring
Implement Emergency Management Plan
Initiate appropriate communication contacts:
Police / fire departments, if appropriate
District Liaison officer
Appropriate utility company---maintain a list of phone numbers with night and day emergency repair services
Head Custodian
Principal
Superintendents office
Neighboring schools
Don’t cancel school / don’t send students home without approval of Administrator and Superintendent
Power line down: do not evacuate building without approval from utility company, fire department and / or law enforcement
Line may be “hot”---touching fence, railing, etc. may cause student / staff to be seriously injured or killed
Notify student / staff---remain inside building until further notice
Power outage---students / staff remain in classroom unless instructed otherwise
Power outage---classrooms without lighting: move students outside classrooms to sit in hallway’s if safe.
Assign staff to supervise outside doors---ensure that students stay inside
Release students to parents or guardians ONLY
School violence is one of the most serious and catastrophic events that may occur at a school site. Examples of situations include: bomb explosion---hostage situations---an armed intruder enters the building and starts shooting.
Principal
Key Decisions ( see Key Decision section of flip chart):
Building evacuation
School lockdown (situation inside or situation outside)
Student release
Teachers
Armed intruder enters the classroom:
Don’t raise your voice or challenge the intruder
Do what asked to do if it doesn’t place others in danger
Keep students together, calm, reassure, model appropriate behavior
Keep students from panicking and trying to leave classroom area
Don’t approach the intruder or attempt to confiscate weapon
Don’t negotiate with intruder---avoid physical resistance
Ask intruder if you can evacuate students from classroom
If “yes”: evacuate quietly / quickly. If “no”: follow above guidelines
Armed intruder is seen in / outside school:
Call 911 immediately
Contact main office principal
Stay out of view of the intruder
Do not attempt to engage the individual (s)
SEVERE WINDS / HAIL STORMS / THUNDERSTORMS
The following guidelines are intended to support your thinking should severe winds / hail storms / thunderstorms occur:
Severe thunderstorm watch: weather conditions favorable—thunderstorms may develop
Severe thunderstorm warning: severe thunderstorm has developed—impacted areas identified in bulletin
Students / staff outside: get inside immediately
Large rooms with free-span roofs (i.e. gymnasium, cafeterias, auditorium) are dangerous—possible roof collapse (from high winds)
Keep exterior doors closed / kept closed.
If needed close outside windows / blinds / curtains—move students away from windows
If you are outside and cannot get inside:
Seek cover at low elevation, preferably with growth of small trees
Stay low / shield your head with your arms
Do not lie flat on the ground—a hail storm may also have lightning
A sexual assault, on a student or staff member, creates an extreme physical and emotional situation. If an assault of this nature occurs, it is vitally important to protect the victim’s privacy and rights.
On-site / Off-site at a school-sponsored activity
The following actions should be taken:
Remove students / staff—secure area immediately OR move victim to secure private area
Assign staff member of same sex to stay with victim
Contact law enforcement (911). Give information: your name / position, location, description of what occurred, victim’s name / age, location of victim. Give description of assailant (s): height, weight, gender, hair / eye color, clothing, and ethnicity.
Assign someone to meet law enforcement / emergency medical personnel---use entrance that won’t identify crisis to other students
Contact the following individuals:
Building Principal
Superintendent
Parent / guardian of victim (use emergency card information)
If appropriate, neighboring schools (artic area) about situation
District Crisis Response Team
Media involvement: all media referred to District Superintendents office
Off-site at a non-school sponsored event or activity
The following action should be taken:
Contact the following individuals:
Building Principal
Superintendent
If appropriate, neighboring schools (artic area) about situation
District Crisis Response Team
Media involvement: all media referred to District Superintendents Office
Student
Bring student to main office in a confidential manner
Secure student until appropriate contacts are made---parents available to pick-up child
If possible, ensure student is seen AS SOON AS POSSIBLE by trained District Crisis Response Counselor or building counselor
Contact the following:
Parent / guardian
Building Principal
Building Counselor
If appropriate, liaison officer
If appropriate, law enforcement authorities (911)
If appropriate, the school of sibling (s)
Document situation / intervention information
Offer counseling support information to parent (s) / guardian
Media involvement: all media referred to District Superintendent’s office
Bring staff member to main office in a confidential manner---offer support---voice concerns honestly and openly
Contact the following:
Spouse or appropriate family member
Superintendent / Principal
If appropriate, building counselor
If appropriate, liaison officer
If appropriate, law enforcement authorities (911)
Ensure staff member is seen AS SOON AS POSSIBLE by trained District mental health professional
Document situation / intervention information
Offer counseling support information to spouse and or family member (s)
Media involvement: follow guidelines in media section of this EMP
The National Weather Service issues two types of tornado alerts:
Tornado WATCH: current weather conditions indicate a tornado is possible
Tornado WARNING: a tornado has actually been spotted or indicated on radar
Building Principal should inspect the facility and identify the best tornado shelter (s) in the building. Safe areas usually include interior hallways and ground level classroom / basements. Areas such as gymnasiums, auditoriums or rooms with large expansive roofs are not safe and should not be used. Wind tunnel effects occur in corridors and spaces in line with the tornado travel. Avoid using corridors with openings that have south or southwest
The following precautions / procedures should be implemented if a tornado is possible:
Designate / communicate special tornado alarm warning signals to staff / students—DO NOT use fire alarm
Battery –operated radio should be kept in main office—tuned-in during severe thunderstorms / high wind weather
Designate staff member to monitor radio—weather information 24 hours a day—Sheriff’s office 774-6262
Teachers know closest, safe area for protection from tornadoes
Tornado WATCH issued:
Students brought in from outside—stay inside until building principal declares “all clear”
Students / faculty moved from temporary buildings to main building
Staff close outside windows / blinds / curtains
Teachers remind students of tornado drill procedures—assigned safe building area
Students may be released to parents / guardians with proper identification
Continue normal building activities as much as possible
Tornado WARNING issued:
Assign staff as tornado spotters with a clear view of the South and West (or direction that threatening weather approaches)
Tornado alarm sounded—students / staff take protective shelter in designated safe areas
Leave classroom doors open—take grade book and emergency flashlight
Teachers keep classes together—take attendance
If outside: direct students to lie flat in ditches, culverts or ravines
Notify custodians to turn-off ONLY main gas supply to building—appropriate tool ready—don’t turn-off electricity
Exterior doors closed / locked—kept closed / locked until “all clear” signaled
Secure / store articles which may act as projectiles
Parents arrive / pick-up their child: invite them inside until the situation has passed—don’t allow the removal of child from school
If tornado strikes, when over, building emergency team called together immediately
Emergency Management Plan placed into operation