# Presentation: 300825

## Overview of Emergency Management for Schools April 27, 2006Denver, Colorado

**U.S. Department of Education**
**Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools**

## Training Objectives

- To introduce participants to the four phases of emergency management for schools
- To provide information on how schools can work with local community partners to strengthen and improve crisis response plans
- To increase participants' awareness about the importance and process of emergency management planning

## Session Overview

- Overview of Emergency Management for Schools
- Levels of Emergency Management
- Developing an Emergency Management Plan

## Overview of Emergency Management for Schools

- Emergency management is a continual process that includes four phases (Mitigation/Prevention, Preparedness, Response, and Recovery)
- All four phases of emergency management are interconnected
- Emergency management and crisis planning for schools should take an all-hazards approach
- School emergency management efforts must be conducted in partnership with public health, mental health, law enforcement, public safety, and local government

**Notes:**
Schools face a variety of crises: natural disasters, biological threats, chemical threats, violence on campus
Threats faced by school fall along a spectrum from minor incidents (bullying, etc.) to severe incidents (school shootings, 9/11), etc. - schools should be prepared to respond to events/emergencies across the spectrum.

## Overview—Four Phases of Emergency Management

**Prevention/Mitigation:**
- Prevention is taking action to decrease the likelihood that an emergency will occur
- Mitigation: Mitigation is taking action to eliminate or reduce the loss of life and property related to an event(s) that cannot be prevented
**Preparedness:**  Preparedness is developing policies and protocols, incident command systems, training, planning, coordination, and exercises for potential crises
**Response:** Response is taking action to effectively contain and resolve the crisis or emergency
**Recovery:**  The recovery phase is designed to assist students & staff in the healing process & to restore educational operations in schools

**Notes:**
1. Relationships with community agencies and partner drive efforts for all four phases.

## Overview—Key Community Partners

**Overview—Key Community Partners**

**School District**

**Public Health**

**Law Enforcement**

**Public Safety**

**Emergency Management**

**Local Government**

**Mental Health**

## Overview of Emergency Management for Schools

- There is no one-size-fits-all approach to emergency management
- Training and practice are essential for the successful implementation of crisis response plans
- All school staff and students should be trained on appropriate crisis response policies and procedures
- Emergency management occurs at multiple levels - school, school district, and community

## Levels of Emergency Management

- Federal Level
- State Level
- Local/Tribal Emergency Management Level
- School District Level
- School Level
- Classroom Level
- Individual/Personal Level

**Notes:**
1. Individuals and families also want to ensure they have personal family preparedness plans.

## Levels of Emergency Management

- Federal Level
**National Response Plan (NRP)**
- The NRP identifies steps for improving coordination of federal, State, local, and private responses
**National Incident Management System (NIMS)**
- Homeland Security Presidential Directive 5 (HSPD-5) requires State, local, and tribal entities to adopt NIMS as a condition for receipt of Federal preparedness funding
- NIMS represents a core set of doctrine, concepts, principles, terminology, and organizational processes to enable effective incident management at all levels, regardless of the incident
- The Incident Command System (ICS) is a key component of the NIMS

**Notes:**
ICS can be an overwhelming concept for schools. But, schools should realize that they often already have an ICS structure in place - ICS is really just a chain of command.
NIMS establishes ICS as the emergency management standard across the country.
School districts receiving Federal preparedness funding are required to support NIMS implementation

We will talk more about NIMS and ICS in the Preparedness and Response phases of the training.

## Levels of Emergency Management

- State and Local/Tribal Emergency Management
- State Emergency Management Agencies
- Local/Tribal Emergency Management Agencies
- Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs)
- Multi-agency coordinating entity
- Provide support and coordination of on-site responders
- Unified Command Structure

**Notes:**
Schools should reach out to your state and local emergency management agencies to ensure your plans are all coordinated.
In a crisis, responses will be coordinated through your local EOC.
Schools should have a representative attend local emergency planning committee meetings

## Levels of Emergency Management

- School District and School Level
- Level of incident will determine level of response necessary
- Schools should identify and assign key emergency management roles and responsibilities
- First response will likely be by a teacher, school resource officer, or Principal
- For serious incidents, school personnel will transfer control to local first responders
- Actions in an emergency are guided by the school/district crisis plan

**Notes:**
We will talk more about planning and training needed for school district staff in the Preparedness component of this Training. 
All key functions/responsibilities should be trained and reviewed; back-up staff should be identified

## Why Plan for an Emergency or Crisis?

- Emergencies or crises of all shapes and sizes occur in schools on a daily basis
- Emergencies or crises have significant impact on students, faculty, parents, and community:
- Physical
- Emotional
- Educational
- Effective planning will reduce the level of chaos that occurs in an emergency
- School self-reliance:
- In event of a significant emergency or crisis, school may need to operate independently for several hours
- Temporary role of parent and health care provider for many children

## Developing an Emergency Management Plan

- Effective Emergency Management plans...
- Establish a common vocabulary (with plain language) for all partners and stakeholders
- Are tailored to address risks and vulnerabilities in each school and each school district
- Address the diverse needs of students and staff
- Are communicated with key stakeholders including, staff, community partners, students, and parents
- Take an all-hazards approach
- Are continually reviewed and revised
- Are developed collaboratively with community partners and stakeholders

**Notes:**
Crisis plans should take into account special needs students and staff
Plans must be communicated to parents and guardians

## Developing an Emergency Management Plan

- Prevention/Mitigation:
- Identify risks/vulnerabilities
- Implement preventive measures
- Assess needs and resources
- Identify stakeholders
- Preparedness
- Work with community partners to develop appropriate emergency management policies and procedures
- Clarify roles and responsibilities
- Establish an Incident Command System
- Provide training
- Conduct drills and exercises

**Notes:**
Crisis plans should take into account special needs students and staff
Plans must be communicated to parents and guardians

## Developing an Emergency Management Plan

- Response:
- Activate the emergency management plan and the Incident Command Team
- Utilize effective decision making
- Maintain consistent communication with staff, students, families, media
- Document actions
- Conduct an after-action briefing
- Recovery:
- Mental Health/Emotional Recovery
- Recognize that recovery is an ongoing process
- Emphasize the importance of triage and age- and developmentally-appropriate interventions
- Academic, physical, and business recovery

**Notes:**
Crisis plans should take into account special needs students and staff
Plans must be communicated to parents and guardians

## QUESTIONS??

## THANK YOU!!!

**For More Information Contact:**
- U.S. Department of Education
- Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools
- 400 Maryland Avenue, SW
- 202-260-3954
** ****or:** Emergency Response and Crisis Management TA Center at:  _[Info@ercm.org](mailto:Info@ercm.org)_