With a history of responding to natural disasters and teaching safety and first aid courses, Red Cross chapters have long-standing relationships with public institutions and emergency response agencies. This enables the Red Cross to serve as a facilitator in many communities, convening the necessary players so schools can formulate sound emergency plans. For example, the St. Louis Area Chapter's survey of area schools found that while many had emergency plans, few had communicated them to the police or fire departments, or worked out the inevitable snags in procedures like evacuation and parental communication. The Cincinnati Area Chapter started a new program to help schools craft effective emergency plans, participating in drills that bring police, firefighters, the Red Cross and school officials together. The day-long exercises simulate hostage situations, explosions and other emergencies.
Some drills take place at night to better prepare for a crisis that continues after school hours.
You can't play perfect unless you practice perfect. Most states have no laws requiring teachers and other school officials to have first aid and CPR training, a serious shortcoming according to many experts. American Red Cross chapters have taught first aid and CPR for years, but many are now placing new emphasis on training teachers, parents and even students, so they can respond effectively to school violence. The young people received adult first aid and CPR training and responded to a simulated multiple-victim bus accident. Next they will work with school officials on their schools' emergency plans and advocate for student safety and violence prevention.