multi-hazard crisis and emergency management plan
TRANSCRIPT
Multi-Hazard Crisis
and
Emergency Management Plan
Effective date: September 20, 2008
All previous versions are obsolete
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Table of Contents
Introductions
Intent and Definition of Crisis Management 4
Executive Director’s Office Planning Response 4
Campus-Based Crisis Planning and Response 6
Emergency Response Plan 6
Purpose and Scope 6
Emergency Response Team 6
Incident Management System 6
Support Services and Disaster Recovery Teams 7
Emergency Response Plan Components 7
Emergency Response Team Notification Sheet 8
Mitigation/Prevention 9
Exterior of School – access, lighting, grounds 9
Interior of School – doors, windows, signage 10
Emergency Phone Numbers 11
Main Office, Hallways, Classroom, Computer 12
Physical Operations/Custodians 13
Policy and Procedures 13
Emergency Procedure – Evacuation and Drills 14
Emergency Response Plan Review, Maintenance and Drills 14
Preparedness 15
Planning, Training, Exercising 15
Community Partners 16
Roles and Responsibilities – Incident Command 16
Incident Command Preparedness 16
Incident Command Response 17
Incident Command Recovery 17
Evacuation Coordinator 18
Reunification Coordinator 18
School Resource Officer 19
School Security Officer 20
School Nurse 20
Head Custodian 21
Recorder 21
National Incident Management Systems 22
Emergency Response Teams 23
Algorithm 24
Crisis Management Team 26
Annual Crisis Management In-service 27
Interventions 27
Communication During and After Incidents 28
Intercom, Bullhorns, Radio, Email 28
Fax Machine, Cell Phones, Alarm Systems 29
Code Words 29
Communication with Parents 29
School Threat Assessment Response Protocol 30
Identification and Response to Warning Signs – Student Violence 32
Early Warning Signs 32
Imminent Warning Signs 35
Response to Suicide Attempt – Off Campus 36
School Re-entry for Students Who Attempted Suicide 36
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Mitigation – Intelligence and Analysis 37
Crime Analysis 37
Registered Sex Offender Locations 38
Physical Security Assessments 38
Crisis Response Procedures Overview 40
Internal Communication 41
Telephone Tree 41
Morning and End of day Faculty Meeting 41
External Communications 41
Dealing with Rumors 42
Communication with Media 42
Specific Crisis
Death of Student or Staff Member 46
Suicide – Warnings, Threats 46
Team Consult, Crisis Interviews 47
Minor Accidents at School 48
Fights in School Setting 48
Medical Emergencies 49
Cardiac Arrest 49
Other Life Threatening Medical Emergencies 50
Angry Parent 50
School related Bus Wrecks 50
Power Failure/Lines Down 50
Loss or Disruption of Water 51
Loss or Disruption of Communications 51
Loss or Disruption of Shelter 52
Perceived Crises 52
Critical Incident Procedure 53
Explosions 54
Unexpected Alarm Activation 54
Flooding 55
Tornados 56
Watch 56
Warning 57
Other Severe Weather 58
Community Sheltering Operations 58
Transportation Disasters 59
Bomb Threats/Telephone Threats 60
Bomb and Disease Threat Checklist 64
Chemical or Hazardous Materials Exposure 65
Radiological Emergencies 66
Surry Nuclear Power Station 67
Loss, Disappearance or Kidnapping of Student 68
Lockdown Events 69
Secured Building 71
Hostage Situations/Barricaded Subject 73
Employee Victim Hostage 75
Mass Casualty Caused by Criminal Actions 75
Appendix A: Sample Statements and Communication with Parents 76
Pre-event Sample Letter to Parents 77
Post-event Sample Letter to Parents 78
Tips for Parents to Help Create Safe Schools 79
Student Tactics for Safe Schools 80
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Appendix B: Planning Surveys and Checklists 82
Staff Skills and Information Inventory 83
Butler Farm Inventory 84
NHREC Incident Report 85
Post Event Report/Response Critique 86
Designation of Assignment/Activity Locations 87
Bomb and Disease Threat Checklists 63
Appendix C: Suggested School-based Training and Drills to Maintain Preparedness 88
Sample Agenda for In-service Training 89
Samples Scenarios 89
Planning Tips for Table Top Drills 90
Appendix D: Informational Handouts
Suggested Classroom Activities after a Loss 92
Helping Your Child after a Disaster 94
Appendix E: Resources 95
Appendix F: Transportation Information 99
School Related Bus Wreck Procedure 100
School Safety Audits 101
Campus Crisis Plan Table of Conducts 102
Appendix G: Homeland Security 105
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Introduction
Intent and Definition of Crisis Management
Intent
This Crisis and Emergency Management Plan (CEMP) is issued pursuant to the directions in School
Board Policy.
New Horizons Regional Education Center’s Crisis and Emergency Management Plan exists to ensure
timely interventions to save lives and minimize injuries through information preplanning and
interagency agreements that ensure a quick and effective response to crisis.
Crisis management is a central component of comprehensive school safety. The most important
considerations in both crisis management and safe school efforts are the health, safety, and welfare of
the students and staff. A comprehensive safe schools plan places a strong emphasis on prevention using
strategies that range from building design to discipline policies and programs that improve school climate
and have preplanned actions to deal with a wide range of emergencies.
This Multi-Hazard Crisis and Emergency Management Plan includes intervention, crisis response,
critical incident procedures and monitors for total quality management
Crisis management may be defined as the school division’s approach to school safety which focuses
more narrowly on a time-limited, problem-focused intervention to identify, confront and resolve the
crisis, restore equilibrium, and support appropriate adaptive responses.
Executive Director’s Office Crisis Planning and Response
Assigned Roles for School Administrative office Staff during a Major School Emergency
Executive Director
Activate the appropriate part of the CEMP.
Provide resources needed based on the type of emergency.
Direct administrative staff actions during the emergency.
Communicate with emergency services and law enforcement agencies.
Authorize the release of information to the public.
Keep NHREC Board of Trustees and superintendents informed.
Designate person in charge when on leave. In event Executive Director, or
designee, is unavailable the following chain of command will become effective:
o Mrs. Vikki Wismer, Director of GSST and GAITE
o Principal or Director at campus not effected by emergency
o Mr. Don Ragland, Finance Director
Ensure that each campus is in compliance with and maintains their CEMP.
Ensure appropriate activities are scheduled for the first day of school following
the crisis.
Visit local hospital or send designee to personally communicate with those
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affected by the incident
Communicate with other campuses in the school during the emergency period.
Directors of Network Administration and Human Resources
Develop and plan scenarios in which administrative technological resources can
be dispersed effectively to emergency sites.
Establish and maintain lines of communication between the Executive Director
and the emergency site; for off campus emergency, lines of communication must
also be established with the involved school. Such lines of communication may
include land-line phones, cell phones, radios and messengers.
Supervise the use of technology resources and when necessary initiate technology
disaster recovery operations.
Initiate central call center with a prepared statement.
Arrange for assistance as needed from additional school psychologists, school
social workers, divisional Directors of Guidance, Mental Health Crisis Services,
and other community resources. School arrangements should include the
designation of meeting spaces, provisions to request on-call services to meet
unexpected demand, and provision of long term follow-up.
Setup communications between the emergency site and public agencies.
Coordinate with search-and-rescue operations if needed.
Coordinate with Divisional Directors of Transportation.
Director, Business and Finance
Initiate accountability procedures to track expenses associated with the
emergency event.
Notify insurance agencies as required.
Arrange for the payment of monies needed to respond to crises; authorize
purchases and payments for such resources.
Arrange for the delivery of outside services and materials needed for the
management of the emergency.
Supply food, generators, water, sewer, and other facility support services as
needed.
Executive Secretary/Community Relations Specialist
(Emergency Communications, Media Relations, Public Announcements)
Executive Secretary/ Community Relations Specialist serves as the Executive
Director’s designee for disseminating information and maintains contact with fire,
police, and public information officer.
Collect and disseminate information to the media.
Plan and coordinate press interviews to help the news media meet deadlines.
Respond to rumors through the dissemination of accurate information.
Act as a liaison between the media and division personnel whose attention must
be focused on the immediate problems of managing the crisis without constant
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interruption.
Arrange interviews for the media with key school and division staff who are
involved in the emergency or who act as spokespersons for the division.
Manage a call center for disseminating information to schools, the community,
parents, and the media.
Campus-Based Crisis Planning and Response
Principal’s School Crisis
Serve as the incident commander until properly relieved.
Be familiar with administrative office support available to principals.
Make school CEMP plan, crisis management handbook, and emergency
management kit readily available to appropriate staff.
Train staff in CEMP.
Remain at respective schools until released.
Report to the Executive Director after all students and staff members have left
campus for the day
Perform tasks assigned by the Executive Director.
Prepare school for sheltering if required.
EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN
Purpose and Scope: The New Horizons Regional Education Centers (NHREC) Emergency Response
Plan (ERP) provides guidance and direction to principals, faculty, and staff who have emergency
management responsibilities. The ERP should be used during an emergency incident. This
information is not a complete list of all factors to be considered.
Key Emergency Contact: The key emergency phone number is 911. It is imperative during an
emergency to utilize the NHREC Crisis Notification Procedures as quickly as possible after calling 911.
Emergency Response Team (ERT): Each school facility will have an Emergency Response Team
(ERT) to take charge of the emergency, respond effectively, protect the occupants of the facility, and
reduce the risk of physical injury, property damage, and business interruption.
Incident Management System (IMS): The Emergency Response Team will follow the basic principles
of IMS where one team member (Incident Commander or IC) is in charge of the emergency until
emergency responders arrive on the scene. At that point the Incident Commander, will update the
emergency response IC on the incident and form a unified command with the external emergency
response IC. The NHREC IC should remain in close contact with the external emergency response IC
until the incident is terminated. The IC is responsible for command, control, communications and
coordination of resources during an emergency event.
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NHREC Crisis Notification Procedures:
1) Principal/Designee will call Security (if unavailable, Asst. Principal).
2) Security will contact the NHREC Director and Media Relations.
*Should Security Officer be unavailable, Principal/Designee should contact the Director directly.
NHREC SAC Support Services Team (SST) and Disaster Recovery Team (DRT): (see Recovery
tab for a description of these teams)
The NHREC Support Services Team (Partial SAC Team) will be mobilized to provide support, based on
the assessed need, within their area of expertise. If support cannot be provided by the SST alone, then
the schools entire Disaster Recovery Team (Complete SAC Team) may be called out to assist.
Emergency Response Plan Components
Flow Charts – Each incident has a flow chart for the IC and the ERT to follow in order to
effectively stabilize and terminate the incident.
Event Aids – The event aids provide valuable information to assist the IC and the ERT in
responding to an incident.
Emergency Phone Lists – Lists are provided to ensure that emergency responders are quickly
notified of an incident.
Evacuation Drawings – These should be placed in the back of the plan to provide emergency
responders with vital evacuation, sheltering, and lockdown information.
Roles & Responsibilities – Key responsibilities of the ERT are listed to give team members a
general idea of their roles during an emergency incident.
Crisis Communications – This section will provide proactive communication measures, which
are key to an effective incident response program.
*Roles & responsibilities of the School Resource Officer may be assigned to School Security
Officer(s) at the direction of the Incident Commander and/or NHREC official.
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TITLE NAME OFFICE HOME CELLULAR NEXTEL
Principal/Incident Commander
Assistant Principal/ Designee
Head Custodian/ Supervisor
School Nurse/Designee
Evacuation Coordinator
Reunification Coordinator
School Resource Officer (SRO) Security Officer (SSO)*
Recorder
ERT Notification Sheet
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MITIGATION/PREVENTION
This Mitigation/Prevention Checklist will reduce exposures to the school/facility and should be
referred to often, to ensure a safe and secure environment.
EXTERIOR OF SCHOOL
Access Control
All exterior cameras should be in good working order (if applicable).
Ensure all external utilities are secured and protected.
Ensure all roof hatches are locked and secured. (if applicable)
Doors and windows should be in good working order and locked at all times.
Entrance doors should not be propped open with wooden blocks or other objects.
Building ventilation intakes should be properly protected and cleaned.
Be aware of the surrounding neighborhood. If anything looks suspicious, report it to police.
Athletic facilities and external buildings should be secured and illuminated at night.
Dumpsters/garbage cans should remain away from the building. Garbage cans should be
secured so they cannot be used to damage or enter school property.
Exterior Lighting
All sides of the school should be illuminated. Outdoor lighting should be effective to
illuminate areas of use during night hours.
PA System
The PA system should be in good working order.
School Grounds
Keep school grounds well-manicured. Reduce blind spots or hiding areas by cutting down
shrubs to 3 ft. or less and trimming trees up to 7 ft.
Playground equipment should be in good working condition and a fall protection material
should be placed on the ground below equipment.
Sidewalks should be in good condition, free from cracks and tripping hazards.
Bike racks should be secured to reduce chance of theft.
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Parking Lot(s) and Student Drop-Off/Pick-up
Parking lots should be free and debris and well-lit. Adequate parking spaces should be
provided with signs for handicapped, visitor, teachers and students, if applicable.
Student drop-off/pick-up should be monitored by an appropriate number of staff members
before and after school.
Off-Premises Procedures
The school should adopt proactive off-premises procedures for field trips, sporting events
and other events that occur off school grounds.
Transportation staff, teachers and chaperones should be trained on emergency procedures.
INTERIOR OF SCHOOL
Interior Doors/Windows/Walls/Ceilings/Floors
All doors and windows should be in good working order and secure at all times.
The only door that should remain unlocked is the main entrance. The main entrance should
only be unlocked if it leads to the main office and does not allow access to any other area.
Doors between buildings need to be secured or monitored.
All doorways and exit ways should be free from obstructions that would hamper or delay an
effective evacuation.
Missing ceiling tiles should be replaced.
Evacuation Signage
All exit lights should be in good working order. Replace burnt-out bulbs.
Universal evacuation and sheltering procedures should be placed in all classrooms (near exit
doors) and hallways.
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New Horizons Regional Education Centers
EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS
FOR ALL EMERGENCIES, DIAL 911
NHREC Key Contacts:
Director 757-766-0000 (office) 757-810-0883 (cell)
Principal (Butler Farm) 757-766-1100 x 305
Assistant Principal (Butler Farm) 757-766-1100 x 306
Principal (Woodside Lane) 757-874-4444 x 505
Assistant Principal (Woodside Lane) 757-874-4444 x 552
Director (Governors School) 757-766-1100 x 313
Director (Center for Autism) 757-369-2581 x 202
Coordinator Adult Education 757-766-1100 x 315
Facilities Maintenance 757-766-1100 x 310
City of Hampton Key Contacts:
Fire Administration 757-727-6580
Hampton Emergency Manager 757-727-1208
Hampton Police main dispatch 757-727-6111
City of Newport News Contacts
Newport News Emergency Manager 757-269-2904
Other Key Contacts:
Newport News Waterworks (8am-5pm) 757-926-1000
After hours (nights, weekends, holidays) 757-236-4800
Hampton Waterworks (8am – 5pm)
After hours (nights, weekends, holidays)
Virginia Natural Gas 24 hr. Emergency Line 877-572-3342
Customer Care Center 866-229-3578
Miss Utility (digging/electrical and gas line) 800-552-7001
Dominion Virginia Power 888-667-3000
Child Abuse Hotline 800-552-7096
Virginia Poison Control Center 800-552-6337
Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) Citizen Info Line 757-222-6100
For specific middle & high school issues: 757-222-6043
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MITIGATION/PREVENTION
Main Office
The Main Office should be near the front entrance and proper signage should indicate the
office location.
The PA system should be in good working order and tested regularly.
Signage in the school should be prominently displayed and easy-to-read.
Hallways
Restrooms should be clean and organized. School staff should make periodic checks to
reduce the opportunity for property damage and criminal activity.
Use of elevators (if applicable) should be restricted to school staff and special-needs students.
Hallways should be free from obstructions, such as furniture, music instruments, large art
displays and any other item that could impair an effective evacuation or act as a hiding place
for intruders.
Minimize the amount of paper and combustible materials on doors and walls, especially in
evacuation egress areas.
Classrooms
All classrooms should be secured when not in use.
Classrooms should be organized and clear of obstructions that could hamper or delay an
effective evacuation.
All bookshelves in classrooms and all other rooms should be secured to the wall.
All outlets within 6 ft. of sinks and water should be GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter)
outlets to reduce the risk of accidental electrocution.
Material safety data sheets should be accessible in an emergency copies of sheets should be
provided to the front office. All hazardous materials should be labeled and kept secure.
Hazardous materials cabinets for storage are provided for flammable liquid storage.
Computer/Server Rooms
Computer/server rooms should be secured at all times and access should be limited.
Appropriate ventilation and climate control systems should be installed in the server rooms.
Auditorium/Gym/Library
The auditorium should have universal evacuation signage and properly illuminated exit
lights.
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The gym should have universal evacuation signage and properly illuminated exit lights. The
overhead lights should be secured with a chain to provide a secondary means to hold them in
place.
The library should include security systems to monitor students and reduce risk of theft.
Kitchen
Only authorized personnel should have access to the kitchen.
All cafeteria staff should be trained yearly on basic emergency procedures and proper food
preparation safety procedures.
All knives, box cutters and other sharp instruments should be secured when not in use.
A sign should be installed to indicate the location of the activation button for the fire
suppression system and instruction for how to activate it.
Food and chemical should never be stored together.
Physical Operations/Custodian
Physical operations/boiler room should be clean and organized.
The school’s Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) should be stored in the physical
operations/custodial room and the Front Office.
All chemicals should be properly stored in their original containers.
Chemicals should be secured when not in use.
Implement a maintenance logging system for preventive maintenance, including fire/life
safety systems, HVAC, fire suppression, fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, and the security
alarm. They should be checked on a regular basis.
POLICIES & PROCEDURES
ID cards must be worn by all staff at all times.
Visitors and vendors must report to the Main Office/Security Desk and sign in. The will be
issued a pass and required to sign out upon leaving the campus.
The school principal or their designee will maintain organized key control policies and keep
accurate records for the issuance of keys.
The key cabinet will be locked at all times.
Per principal discretion, it is strongly recommended that teachers return their keys at the end
of each academic year.
All employees that handle mail should be aware of how to identify suspicious packages and
envelopes.
Policies for handling money, including student body funds, will be adhered to.
The school should keep a list of special-needs occupants. Emergency response
procedures, including evacuation, sheltering, and lockdown, should be established for
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the special-needs occupants. The school should also keep up-to-date medical needs lists
and medical procedures for special-needs occupants.
Emergency Procedures
Primary and secondary evacuation assembly areas must be designated and every student
faculty and staff member will know those locations.
Evacuation drills, procedures and protocols will be implemented and conducted per school
policy. Faculty, staff and students will participate in state and local-mandated drills.
Sheltering areas will be identified. Sheltering areas should be in locations that protect
building occupants from glass and flying debris.
Lockdown procedures should be developed in conjunction with and be reviewed by the local
police department.
ERP Review, Maintenance, and Practice Drills
The school should conduct, on an annual basis, a Security and Vulnerability Assessment of
the school site to be included in the Emergency Response Plan (ERP).
ERP must be updated on a yearly basis.
The ERP should be updated to include an ―all hazards‖ approach.
The school ERT should work with local public safety agencies to find ways to reduce risks.
Local public safety agencies should be part of the ERP development and review process.
One announced lockdown drill should be completed at the beginning of the first semester.
One unannounced drill should be completed at the beginning of the second semester.
On all lockdown/safety drills and random/K9 searches, proper documentation should be
completed and a copy sent to the Security Supervisor.?(Safety Committee for review and
recommendations.
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PREPAREDNESS
Planning
1. At the beginning of the school year, staff should receive a security briefing and tour of
the facility if necessary.
2. Prepare an agenda of events and schedule of events to test emergency operations
throughout the school year.
3. Identify Emergency Response Team members and alternates.
4. Meet with community leaders regarding evacuation points.
Training
1. The Principal/Designee (Incident Commander) will ensure that each faculty and staff
member is familiar with the school’s Emergency Response Plan.
2. All school faculty, staff and students should participate in a basic safety and emergency
preparedness training session at the beginning of the school year.
3. All cafeteria employees will be trained in basic safety, emergency preparedness, and
proper food preparation.
4. Kitchen personnel should be fully knowledgeable of the operation of the kitchen hooded
fire suppression control system.
5. Faculty and staff should receive fire extinguisher training.
6. A minimum of two (2) employees per school site are required to be CPR/AED certified.
7. A minimum of two (2) employees per school site shall be trained to administer insulin
and glucagon, if there are students diagnosed with diabetes at that site.
Exercising
1. Each school shall participate in state- and local-required fire drills.
2. After each fire drill, a report must be filed by the school per policy.
3. Each school shall participate in two lockdown drills per year. The first drill should be an
announced drill to familiarize staff with proper procedures; the second drill should
include an ―active intruder‖ simulation, utilizing the assistance of the School Resource
Officer/Security Officer (if available).
4. A lockdown drill critique sheet should be filed by the ERT and copy should be sent to the
HCS Security Supervisor.
5. Each school shall conduct one shelter-in-place drill per the school year.
6. A shelter-in-place drill critique sheet should be filed by the ERT and a copy should be
sent to the HCS Security Supervisor.
7. Each school should conduct one tabletop exercise with their ERT per school year.
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Teaming with Community Partners
1. Have the Emergency Response Plan reviewed by police, fire and emergency management
personnel.
2. Establish mutual aid agreements with local community organizations, churches and other
schools.
3. The ERP should be presented at parent meetings.
4. Schools may secure donations for emergency supplies, as long as NHREC policies and
appropriate guidelines are followed. Staff should seek approval from the
Principal/Designee before receiving any donations.
ROLES AND RSEPONSIBILITIES – INCIDENT COMMAND
INCIDENT COMMANDER
The Principal/Designee should normally be assigned as the Incident Commander. The Incident
Commander (IC) is the overall leader during an emergency incident. The IC makes decisions
based on the information and suggestions being provided from other members of the Emergency
Response Team (ERT). This role may be combined with any other active role during a critical
incident. The Incident Commander has the final say on all school operations before, during, and
after a critical event.
If the school emergency incident escalates to include any public emergency response
agency, the school IC will form a unified (joint) command system.
Preparedness
Do we have the proper Emergency Response Team in place and are they adequately
trained?
Does our entire faculty and staff have a copy of the school’s emergency procedures guide
(flipcharts) and have they received orientation on the guide?
Have we met the requirements for evacuation, sheltering, and lockdown drills and do we
evaluate each drill and critique our processes?
Have we received adequate training and performed sufficient exercises?
Is our ERP updated yearly?
Are our first aid kits and emergency go kits updated and in a place that is easily
accessible?
Are our internal and external phone lists updated?
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Have we identified, assigned, and provided to staff appropriate shelter-in-place locations,
evacuation routes (both primary and alternate), and designated safety areas (on school
grounds and at off-site locations)?
Response
Notify All ERT members, public emergency responders, and HCS officials, as necessary
(see Crisis Notification Procedures located in the beginning of plan).
Gather facts on the incident and assess the situation.
Ensure that 911 and school security is called if needed.
Make decision to remain at current status or prepare to evacuate, lockdown, or shelter-in-
place.
Develop and implement a plan of action. Have a back up plan ready.
Make internal notification to teachers and staff to carry out the plan.
Ensure that a member of the ERT meets external emergency responders at the emergency
access point (e.g. main doors of school).
Meet with external emergency responders’ IC and form unified command.
Constantly monitor the situation and get updates form all resources.
Ensure that all faculty, staff and students reach the designated assembly area or sheltering
area.
Ensure that parents/legal guardians are contacted in a timely manner.
Recovery
Ensure reunification process is working.
Call NHREC SAC to initiate call to insurance provider.
Assess damage to facility.
Complete incident report.
Implement critical incident stress management if needed.
Debrief school board, faculty, staff, and students if necessary.
Conduct a post-incident critique with ERT, school security, external emergency
responders, and other key stakeholders.
Ensure the district’s Director of Media Relations is handling all internal and external
communications.
Implement or ensure that the district’s Support Services Team is notified; the entire SAC
Disaster Recovery Team may also need to be contacted.
Ensure that proper clean up/decontamination is taking place.
Ensure that the School Nurse has contacted all external providers, especially public and
mental health agencies.
Prepare the school for reopening.
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Ensure all critical systems are back up and running (fire/life safety, HVAC, IT).
EVACUATION COORDINATOR
The duties of this position focus on organizing the off-site evacuation location during an
emergency situation. This includes planning the movement of the students to the to the location
and assisting with accounting of the students once they are moved. Key aspects of this
assignment involve planning for the use of a location and planning the evacuation route to safely
move the students. Then organizing an evacuation, consider special-needs occupants and plan
for how those occupants will be moved and what assistance will be required.
Preparedness
Have on-site and off-site evacuation assembly areas been identified?
Are all evacuation assembly areas noted in the school’s ERP?
Have all routes to off-site evacuation assembly areas been identified?
Have contingency plans been developed to evacuate special-needs students/staff to the
off-site emergency evacuation assembly area?
Response
Assist teachers with the evacuation of the school.
Ensure that student emergency cards are taken to the evacuation location to assist
with parent/student reunification.
Assist teachers with the accounting process at the evacuation assembly area.
Assist with the needs of the students at the evacuation assembly area.
Check in with the owner/facility manager of the secondary evacuation assembly area.
Recovery
Assist teachers with the reunification process.
Participate in the post-incident critique.
REUNIFICATION COORDINATOR
When a critical incident occurs at a school, parental response must be anticipated. Many parents
likely will come to school to pick up their children. A plan must be in place to provide specific
directions for parents that arrive at school. A central location must be established where the
parents can wait to be reunited with their child and obtain information about the incident. The
Reunification Coordinator should be at the location and coordinate the activities at this site. This
coordinator should communicate with the Director of Media Relations to obtain information that
can be released to the parents. The Reunification Coordinator should also communicate with the
Evacuation Coordinator to facilitate children coming to the reunion location to join their parents.
At least one staff member will be needed to assist in escorting students to reunite with their
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parents. The reunification location has the potential to become very chaotic during an incident,
but with proper planning the activities can be established quickly and remain organized. Keep in
mind, how efficiently students are reunited with parents will be a key factor when assessing the
school’s preparedness and response.
Preparedness
Have predetermined reunification areas been identified?
Does the school’s ERP list the updated reunification areas?
Does the school’s ERP have an easy-to-understand reunification process that is consistent
with school district standards?
Response
Respond to reunification area and manage the operations from start to finish.
Assist teachers and staff with student accountability.
Advise staff of the reunification process and what time the process will take place.
Ensure that accountability of each student is the primary goal.
Update the Incident Commander on the operations of the reunification process.
Recovery
Assist custodians with the clean up of the reunification area.
Participate in the post-incident critique.
Assist Incident Commander with incident report.
SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER (SRO)
This role has been developed for incidents that occur around the school but may not directly
involve school personnel. A violent crime of other situation near a school may require school
staff to quickly secure the school from outside intruders. This will involve developing specific
assignments for school personnel during such an emergency and creating a system to make sure
the school is secure. The SRO would then act as liaison with the agency handling the local
event.
Preparedness
Does the ERT know how to secure the entire school from top to bottom?
Do all local police, sheriff, and fire departments and other key external responders have a
copy of the school’s ERP?
Has this team member participated in drills and tabletop exercises?
Response
Under the order of the IC, secure the entire school and make contact with the IC.
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Assist with searching the school.
Assist with evacuation, sheltering-in-place, and lockdown.
Recovery
Assist custodian(s) with unlocking school and prepare to return the school back to
normal.
Participate in the post-incident critique.
File a report with the local law enforcement agency.
SCHOOL SECURITY OFFICER (SSO)
Roles and responsibilities of the School Resource (SRO) may be assigned to the School
Security Officer (SSO) at the direction of the Incident Commander and/or NHREC
official.
The SSO should maintain control and operation of the school camera room and maintain
contact with the IC and SRO, if safe to do so.
SCHOOL NURSE
The School Nurse is responsible for the medical care of students, faculty, and staff. They play a
vital role during an emergency by taking control of medical operations, setting up triage, and
treating those who are injured or who become ill.
Preparedness
Does this team member have an excellent understanding of the school’s ERP and the
roles and responsibilities of each ERT member?
Is an adequate amount of first-aid supplies stored?
Has an emergency medical kit been developed that contains the medications and first-aid
supplies that can be grabbed with in a moment’s notice and taken to the site of an
emergency or the evacuation assembly area?
Are all medical records updated?
Has this team member participated in drills and tabletop exercises?
Response
Make contact with Incident Commander for task assignment.
Provide medical treatment to those who are injured or have become ill.
The School Nurse shall remain at the school if the student(s) have to be transported by
ambulance to the hospital. The Nurse shall make contact with the IC to ensure that a
school staff member responds to the hospital to stand by with the student(s) until a
parent/guardian arrives.
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Recovery
Work with local hospitals and healthcare facilities/professional to provide vital medical
information.
Participate in the post-incident critique.
HEAD CUSTODIAN
Beyond the maintenance of the school and grounds, the Head Custodian’s role will expand in a
crisis situation to include ensuring that the protocols of the crisis work smoothly. The Head
Custodian becomes a significant part of the crisis equation by helping to maintain infrastructure
integrity, order and compliance with school policy and local laws. Additionally, s/he becomes a
general resource to respond to unforeseen impromptu situations inherent in a crisis.
Preparedness
Keep utility supply points locked and free of debris.
Keep chemicals and combustibles secured and in appropriate storage areas.
Maintain MSDS information.
Monitor and maintain lighting.
Be familiar with where HVAC and utility systems are located.
Maintain signage and perimeter fencing.
All Custodians should read and have an excellent understanding of the Emergency
Response Plan and the roles and responsibilities of each Emergency Response Team
member.
Response
Report all occurrences of system failures and abnormal conditions.
Make contact with the Incident Commander for task assignment.
If the HVAC system must be shut down, the custodian shall work with the IC to ensure
the school’s power supply is immediately deactivated.
Recovery
Participate in the post-incident critique.
Work with utility providers to restore and maintain order.
RECORDER
The role of the position is to make sure that the IC and the appropriate NHREC personnel
receive notification and updates regarding the incident. During the incident, this individual
should keep a detailed record of the events, decisions, and actions including annotation of time.
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This record will ensure that all critical tasks have been completed and allow the IC to track all
activities. Any teacher or staff not assigned students during an incident and any school personnel
arriving at the incident should report directly to the Incident Commander for further instructions.
Preparedness
Ensure that the school emergency response plan has an adequate amount of incident log
sheets
Response
Make contact with the IC for task assignment.
Start a complete log of actions taken, including processes, decisions, problems/remedies,
and suggested changes.
Update the IC throughout the incident.
Recovery
Turn in all logs to the IC and assist him/her in preparing the incident report.
Participate in the post-incident critique.
NATIONAL INCIDENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (NIMS)
Incident Command System
The National Incident Management System (NIMS) or the Incident Command System
(ICS) is a nationally-recognized emergency management methodology used by proactive public
safety agencies, schools and businesses. The ICS provides and organized approach to managing
emergencies from time of discovery to stabilization and termination, all the way through to
recovery and resuming full school operations. The ICS incorporates an organizational structure
that provides for role assignment and decision-making while planning for and responding to
critical incidents of all types and sizes. The ICS will allow for all school personnel to know their
area of responsibility during a crisis. The ICS also establishes a ―Unified Command Structure‖
that partners the school’s Incident Commander(IC) with the Public Safety Incident Commander
to provide an effective team that will work together to manage the emergency and recover as
quickly as possible.
Under the ICS, tasks are delegated to members of the ERT to successfully handle critical
incidents. The ERT member is then responsible for the task assigned and serves as the manager
of the task. This type of delegation allows each team member to focus on just one or two aspects
of the incident. These team members than provide information to the Incident Commander
(Principal/Designee) and assist them in making informed decisions. Using this organizational
system during a critical incident creates clear communication channels that will reduce the
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amount of confusion and chaos. Permanently assigning specific areas of responsibility to
members of the emergency response team provides each member with the opportunity to
specialize in the management of his/her own area. The Incident Command System
serves as the nucleus of crisis and emergency management contingency planning and should be
incorporated into the school’s emergency response plan.
The ICS can also address the uncertainty of exactly who will be in the building during an
emergency. When assigning the management of critical roles in the ICS, assign an alternate for
each roll to assure coverage at all times. This may require some individuals to be responsible for
more that one task if the primary team member is out of the building. While the ICS identifies
roles for the members of the emergency response team, all school faculty members should know
their specific functions during an emergency. Teachers with students in class will have specific
functions as will teachers not assigned a class when an emergency occurs. It is imperative to
emergency operations to develop an ICS roles and responsibilities checklist like the one printed
in this plan. This will better prepare the school to understand all the ERT roles and
responsibilities. The checklist will also assist the Incident Commander if one or more team
members/alternates are not available.
Local emergency responders use the ICS to manage emergency events. Because of this, a
school with assigned roles for administrators and teachers will be able to work more efficiently
with local agencies.
Emergency Response Team (ERT)
Incident Commander: Principal/Designee
School Nurse Custodian
Supervisor
Security
officer
Evacuation
Coord.
Reunification
Coord.
Recorder
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NOTIFY
Discoverer notifies
Principal/Designee or
Main Office
OR
Calls 911
OR
Uses emergency pull
station
Discoverer determines type of incident, including:
Fire
Severe Weather
Hazardous Materials
Workplace Violence
Medical Emergency
Other
ACT
Principal/Designee obtains:
1 Description of incident,
what happened, location and
time of incident
2 Number and type of
injuries (if any, see Medical
tab)
3 Number of people involved
4 Action taken
5 Does the threat still exist?
Incident Command
in effect
ASSESS
Incident Commander
assesses the situation:
Does the incident
require additional
outside resources?
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NO ACT
IC will:
1 Request additional
personnel to the scene
if needed
2 Follow the IMS to
stabilize and terminate
the incident
NOTIFY
ERT will notify:
1 NHREC SAC
2 Affected faculty
and staff
CLOSURE
IC,ERT and/or
NHREC SAC will:
1 Complete Incident
Report
2 Debrief district
and school staff
3 Implement critical
stress debriefing
program if needed
4 Conduct Post-
Incident Critique
and take corrective
action.
YES
ACT
IC will:
1 Call 911
2 Alert affected occupants
3 Activate the ERT and call
NHREC SAC
4 Take protective actions;
e.g. evacuation, lockdown,
shelter-in-place
5 Dispatch additional
personnel to the scene if
safe to do so
6 Secure the scene and
establish an Incident
Command Post
7 Meet outside responders
at the emergency access
point
ACT
When outside
responders arrive:
1 Unified command
will be established
2 Staging areas may
be implemented
3 IC may initiate
additional
functions.
ACT
Incident
Commander
will:
Follow the IMS
to stabilize and
finally
terminate the
incident.
Abbreviations:
ERT: Emergency Response
Team
NHREC SAC: NHREC School
Administration Center
IC: Incident Commander
IMS: Incident Management
System
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Crisis Management Team:
An individual school Crisis Management Team (CMT) shall be established at each school to meet the
demands of crisis incidents.
Membership:
The crisis team shall consist of an immediately accessible core group who have the knowledge and skills
to act in any emergency and shall include (as employed) the principal, assistant principal, attendance
clerk, nurse, school psychologist, , one or more selected teachers, school security officer, custodian, and
a person to record events/minutes of meetings. Additionally, the Police Department (school resource
officer, if assigned to the school – precinct officer if no SRO), Mental Health Services, and Fire
Department should be asked to consult with the school team. A roster of team members and contact
information will be maintained as a part of the school’s CEMP.
Purposes:
The Crisis Team shall implement and adapt appropriate action from the Crisis and Emergency
Management Plan to address the specific events of a crisis. Roles and responsibilities of team members
and consultants will be established in the school’s written CEMP.
Assignment Form: The form in the appendix is a sample that can be used or altered to fit the needs of a particular
school or a particular crisis. Appendix B, page 74
Each school CEMP will include school-specific provisions for the four phases of crisis management
(Mitigation, Preparedness, Response and Recovery) and establish or designate the following:
Response procedures for each crisis incident.
Multiple command posts inside and outside the school facility in the event
evacuation is necessary.
Chain of command with alternates.
Network of key communicators. It is the responsibility of these key individuals to
convey approved information to others. This network may include phone trees to
notify staff of emergency incidents and special meetings which may occur before
or after school hours and various counselors designated to support groups such as
students, faculty, and parents.
Communication plan within the school and to the community. The best means of
communication may vary with the crisis. However, the plan must provide for
communicating with teachers as soon as possible. When appropriate, well-
informed representatives should be ready to go into classrooms. Avoid giving
news via assembly or public address intercom systems as results can be
unpredictable when giving shocking news to large groups of students. To ensure
accuracy and avoid rumor, information to students must come directly from
internal memoranda or statements written specifically for that purpose and
approved by the principal. News is best given to students in class so
they can ask questions of a person they know. Questions from parents should be
addressed from pre-approved fact sheet.
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Arrangement for support services. One individual from the Crisis Management
Team will be designated to contact Human Resources in terms of community
services. The Human Resources department will arrange for assistance as needed
from additional school psychologists, school social workers, divisional Directors
of Guidance, Mental Health Crisis Services, and other community resources.
School arrangements should include the designation of meeting spaces, provisions
to request on-call services to meet unexpected demand, and provision of long
term follow-up.
Bring closure to the crisis. This activity will vary depending on the crisis. But it
is imperative to recognize officially the end of the crisis and the beginning of the
healing process.
Evaluation of the crisis plan. Response to each crisis incident will be reviewed
and evaluated at the conclusion of each crisis. Crisis Management Team annually
will evaluate the plan and its effectiveness and make modifications as needed.
Annual Crisis Management In-service:
The Crisis and Emergency Management Plan shall be reviewed annually with the full school staff and
shared with all transient staff, nurses, secretaries, child nutrition services staff, custodians, and bus
drivers. Each principal must document this review and keep a record of attendance.
Interventions
Annual Start-up Procedures for All Schools
Confirm membership of the crisis team.
Send a list of team members to the Community Relations Office.
Decide on a coordinator and substitute for synchronizing suicide intervention,
critical incident, and post incident procedures.
Plan at least two crisis team meetings. It is mandatory that crisis teams meet prior
to the beginning of the school year and one other time during the school year to
review procedures, especially for critical incidents, and check equipment such as
crisis boxes.
Inform faculty of crisis members. Print intervention, crisis response and critical
incident procedures in the faculty handbook.
Review critical incident communication codes with faculty and staff.
Confirm updated faculty phone tree.
The team needs not only to review procedures annually, but also to go through at
least two scenarios using the Post Incident Steps form. The key to successfully
handling an incident is the preparation before the event.
Meet with new staff members annually to inform them of intervention, crisis
response, and critical incident procedures, emphasizing the referral process for
crisis intervention.
Conduct a general faculty/staff in-service on intervention, crisis response and
critical incident procedures every year.
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Communications During and After a Critical Incident
Technology can be a very effective tool for communication during a crisis. Some common tools that
may be used include the following:
Telephone - Although the telephone is the most commonly used communications tool in
schools, most schools do not have enough lines and, worse, service is typically lost when
electricity is lost. In preparing for a crisis or emergency management situation it is
recommended that:
One person takes incoming calls with a standard message or response. Calls
should be as brief as possible to keep lines free. In certain circumstances, it may
be appropriate for no incoming calls to be answered.
One phone line should be dedicated to communicating with 911 and should
remain connected to 911 until the dispatcher ends the call.
One phone line should stay connected to the Executive Director’s Office and not
disconnected until the incident is completed. This is to ensure that the leaders
gathered in that office have ongoing updates. If the line is closed, then it may be
difficult to reestablish contact.
As 21 century telephone technology enters the schools; there will be three
―traditional‖ phone lines in each school. These lines will have unlisted phone
numbers and should not receive incoming calls. These lines can be dedicated to
the above needs during a crisis or emergency.
All phone jacks should be clearly marked and designated on the school’s floor
plan so emergency service personnel can use them if necessary.
Intercom systems - Most schools have such a system; systems, which include teacher-initiated
communications with the office and use a handset rather than a wall-mounted speaker, are most useful in
an emergency. Instructions for use of the intercom system should be posted near the controls in the
office area. Additionally, students should be taught to use the intercom system –the teacher may have a
medical emergency or be otherwise unable to operate the system.
Bullhorns and megaphones - Often used at pep rallies and field days, battery-powered bullhorns or
megaphones can also be very effective tools for communication in an emergency and should be a
part of the school’s ―crisis kit.‖ If one is maintained for emergencies, it should be checked
periodically to ensure the batteries are good.
2-Way Radios – Each school is issued a complement of 2-way radios. It is important that all staff
members (even those who do not normally carry one) know how to use the radios and on which channel
the school operates. In an emergency, do not use Unit numbers or codes. Use plain talk to ensure that
everyone understands the information being passed. That is a national standard under the National
Incident Management System (NIMS). To ensure that radios are functioning for an emergency, they
should be carried and used each day. A radio should never be left turned ―on‖ while in the charger.
Email – Information can be relayed within a school or to the central office via email. It can also be
useful for sending photographs or attached lists of affected students, staff or facilities.
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Fax machines - The fax machine is a potentially valuable tool for both sending and receiving
information in an emergency. In the case of off-campus accidents, for example, lists of students and staff
members involved, their locations, and needed telephone numbers can be quickly and accurately
communicated. Medical information, release forms, and medical authorizations can be faxed, signed,
and returned in emergencies.
Cellular telephones – Staff and students must be strongly discouraged from unauthorized or personal
use of a cell phone during an emergency. Below are some problems seen at various school emergencies
in the past:
Tying up or overloading the cell could prevent necessary communications
between administrators and responders.
Parents coming to the school to ―rescue‖ their children can block streets and delay
or prevent responders from reaching the school.
Parents attempting to enter or entering a school that is on lockdown can be
mistaken for the intruder with disastrous results.
Parents interfering with responders or an incident face arrest.
Alarm Systems - Bells or buzzers may be sounded in different ways to signal different types of
emergencies – for example, fire, tornado, or special alert (with instructions to follow).
Code Words – Conventional wisdom in the area of school security is not to use code words or phrases
to announce emergency responses such as lockdowns, tornados or other critical incidents. Plain talk on
the announcement will ensure that everyone knows what is happening and what is expected of them.
The exception to this is the previously outlined procedure for a teacher who is with the intruder to use
his/her first name when giving an update to the office.
Communications with Parents and the Community
If an emergency happens at the school that threatens life and safety, parents should know the following
ahead of time:
Do not call the school – phone lines need to stay clear for emergency
communications.
Instruct their children to not use cell phones inside the school during a crisis or
critical incident.
Do not come to the school – to do so could
o Interfere with emergency responders getting to the school and could cause
further danger,
o Cause the parent to be mistaken for the suspect,
o Cause the parent to be arrested for obstructing emergency responders,
o Cause further risk or danger to the children in the school.
The principal should:
Reassure them that pertinent information will be released to all parents as it
becomes available.
Tell them that it is best for them to stay at home or work where they can be
reached by the school if necessary and they can monitor the media for important
updates.
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In the aftermath of a critical incident, it is important to get as much information as
possible to parents. This helps them understand that their children are safe and
will continue to be safe. It also limits the damage done by rumors or
misinformation.
Tell parents exactly what is known to have happened. Do not embellish or
speculate.
Implement the plan to manage phone calls and parents who arrive at school.
Schedule and attend an open question-and-answer meeting for parents as soon
after the incident as possible. The meeting is an opportunity for school officials to
listen and respond to parent concerns (which are helpful in combating rumors and
other misinformation) and to work on restoring parental trust in the school.
In the event of an incident that involved structural damage or destruction, an open
house for parents and other members of the community to see the school restored
to its ―normal‖ state helps everyone get beyond the crisis.
School Threat Assessment Response Protocol
The purpose of this protocol is to provide a mechanism to ensure that threats of violence in a school
environment are addressed, whenever possible, before the violence occurs. The protocol is intended to
identify credible threats of violence and address those threats and the individual making the threat before
the threat is carried out. NOTE: This protocol is applicable during any school-sponsored event or
function, whether the event or function is on school property or not.
Procedures
The following procedure is separated into several sections in order to reflect those instances where a
threatened act of violence may be received by specific individuals. It is imperative that students, staff
and others be urged to take all threats seriously and to report them to school administrators, faculty or
staff.
Any student, upon receiving information that a person is threatening to commit an act of
violence, shall:
Assume threat is serious;
Immediately report the threat to a parent, guardian, school staff, administrator or
law enforcement officer;
Be available and cooperative in providing a statement of information, with the
understanding that the information source (student) will remain anonymous to the
greatest extent possible.
Any parent or guardian, upon receiving information that a person is threatening to
commit an act of violence, shall:
Assume threat is serious;
Immediately report the threat to a school staff member, school administrator or
law enforcement officer;
Be available and cooperative in providing a statement of information, with the
understanding that the information source (parent or guardian) will remain
anonymous to the greatest extent possible.
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Any school staff member, upon receiving information that a person is threatening to
commit an act of violence, shall:
Assume threat is serious;
Immediately report the threat to a school administrator their designee;
Be available and cooperative in providing a statement of information, with the
understanding that the information source (the staff member) will remain
anonymous to the greatest extent possible.
Any school administrator, upon receiving information that a person is threatening to
commit an act of violence, shall:
Assume threat is credible until and unless analysis suggests differently;
Cause the student making the threat, if known and on campus, to be immediately
removed from the classroom and segregated into a secured area pending further
investigation;
Segregate any student or staff member who received the threat pending further
investigation;
Require the school staff member, if this is the source of the information, to
provide immediate written statements regarding the information received.
Request police assistance either from the assigned School Resource Officer or by
calling 911 to report a threat;
Request assistance from the school’s Threat Assessment Team;
Interview the subjects making the threat and those receiving the threat to assess
the available information, in an attempt to determine the veracity of the threat, in
order to decide what level of follow-up action is needed and appropriate.
Once the assessment is complete, Threat Assessment Team and administrator shall
convene privately to discuss the threat and consider options for follow-up action.
If it is agreed the threat is credible:
The law enforcement officer will commence a criminal investigation and take
whatever action he/she deems necessary;
The school administrator shall take appropriate action to ensure safety of the
students and staff;
The school administrator shall take administrative action in accordance with
School Board policy;
The student’s parents or guardian shall be notified in accordance with School
Board policy;
If it is agreed that the threat is not credible, the school administrator shall assume
responsibility to institute any further action deemed necessary which may include, but is
not limited to:
Referral to counseling
Suspension
Notifying parents
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Once the situation has been assessed and action taken, the school principal assumes the
responsibility for reporting to the Executive Director.
Follow-Up Considerations
The Threat Assessment Response Protocol shall be periodically reviewed to assess its
effectiveness. Changes should be made as needed, based on actual experiences.
Identification and Response to Warning Signs of Student Violence Students Who May Be a Threat to Others
In the event that a staff member has reason to believe that a student may represent a potential threat to
others, the actions listed below are to be taken. These steps apply only to situations in which the student
is presenting no immediate threat.
Take all comments about doing harm to others seriously, especially if details
about how the acts are to be carried out are shared.
Immediately report concerns to an administrator.
Under no circumstances should an untrained person attempt to assess the severity
of the risk; all assessment of threats, attempts, or other risk factors must be left to
the appropriate professionals.
NOTE: It is important to avoid inappropriately labeling or stigmatizing individual students because they
appear to fit a profile or set of early warning indicators. It is okay to be worried about a child, but it is
not okay to overreact and jump to conclusions.
Early Warning Signs
It is not always possible to predict behavior that will lead to violence. However, educators and parents—
and sometimes students—can recognize certain early warning signs. In some situations and for some
youth, different combinations of events, behaviors, and emotions may lead to aggressive rage or violent
behavior toward self or others. A good rule of thumb is to assume that these warning signs, especially
when they are presented in combination, indicate a need for further analysis to determine an appropriate
intervention. The U.S. Secret Service has investigated and analyzed many school shootings and has
determined that there is no clear ―profile‖ or standard description of those who commit such acts.
We know from research that most children who become violent toward self or others feel rejected and
psychologically victimized. In most cases, children exhibit aggressive behavior early in life and, if not
provided support, will continue a progressive developmental pattern toward severe aggression or
violence. However, research also shows that when children have a positive, meaningful connection to
an adult — whether it is at home, in school, or in the community — the potential for violence is reduced
significantly.
None of these signs alone is sufficient for predicting aggression and violence. Moreover, it is
inappropriate — and potentially harmful — to use the early warning signs as a checklist against which
to match individual children. Rather, the early warning signs are offered only as an aid in identifying
and referring children who may need help. School communities must ensure that staff and students only
use the early warning signs for identification and referral purposes — only trained professionals should
make diagnoses in consultation with the child’s parents or guardian.
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The following early warning signs are presented with the following qualifications – they are not equally
significant and they are not rated for levels of seriousness.
Some early warning signs include:
Social withdrawal. In some situations, gradual and eventually complete withdrawal from social
contacts can be an important indicator of a troubled child. The withdrawal often stems from feelings of
depression, rejection, persecution, unworthiness, and lack of confidence.
Excessive feelings of isolation and being alone. Research has shown that the majority of children who
are isolated and appear to be friendless are not violent. In fact, these feelings are sometimes
characteristic of children and youth who may be troubled, withdrawn, or have internal issues that hinder
development of social affiliations. However, research also has shown that in some cases feelings of
isolation and not having friends are associated with children who behave aggressively and violently.
Excessive feelings of rejection. In the process of growing up, and in the course of adolescent
development, many young people experience emotionally painful rejection. Children who are troubled
often are isolated from their mentally healthy peers. Their responses to rejection will depend on many
background factors. Without support, they may be at risk of expressing their emotional distress in
negative ways—including violence. Some aggressive children who are rejected by non-aggressive peers
seek out aggressive friends who, in turn, reinforce their violent. Being a victim of violence. Children
who are victims of violence—including physical or sexual abuse—in the community, at school, or at
home are sometimes at risk themselves of becoming violent toward themselves or others.
Feelings of being picked on and persecuted. The youth who feels constantly picked on, teased,
bullied, singled out for ridicule, and humiliated at home or at school may initially withdraw socially. If
not given adequate support in addressing these feelings, some children may vent them in inappropriate
ways — including possible aggression or violence.
Low school interest and poor academic performance. Poor school achievement can be the result of
many factors. It is important to consider whether there is a drastic change in performance and/or poor
performance becomes a chronic condition that limits the child’s capacity to learn. In some situations—
such as when the low achiever feels frustrated, unworthy, chastised, and denigrated—acting out and
aggressive behaviors may occur. It is important to assess the emotional and cognitive reasons for the
academic performance change to determine the true nature of the problem.
Expression of violence in writings and drawings. Children and youth often express their thoughts,
feelings, desires, and intentions in their drawings and in stories, poetry, and other written expressive
forms. Many children produce work about violent themes that for the most part is harmless when taken
in context. However, an over representation of violence in writings and drawings that is directed at
specific individuals (family members, peers, other adults) consistently over time, may signal emotional
problems and the potential for violence. Because there is a real danger in misdiagnosing such a sign, it is
important to seek the guidance of a qualified professional—such as a school psychologist, counselor, or
other mental health specialist—to determine its meaning.
Uncontrolled anger. Everyone gets angry; anger is a natural emotion. However, anger that is expressed
34
frequently and intensely in response to minor irritants may signal potential violent behavior toward self
or others.
Patterns of impulsive and chronic hitting, intimidating, and bullying behaviors. Children often
engage in acts of shoving and mild aggression. However, some mildly aggressive behaviors such as
constant hitting and bullying of others that occur early in children’s lives, if left unattended, might
later escalate into more serious behaviors.
History of discipline problems. Chronic behavior and disciplinary problems both in school and at
home may suggest that underlying emotional needs are not being met. These unmet needs may be
manifested in acting out and aggressive behaviors. These problems may set the stage for the
disengagement from school, and engage in aggressive behaviors with other children and adults.
Past history of violent and aggressive behavior. Unless provided with support and counseling, a youth
who has a history of aggressive or violent behavior is likely to repeat those behaviors. Aggressive and
violent acts may be directed toward other individuals, be expressed in cruelty to animals, or include fire
setting. Youth who show an early pattern of antisocial behavior frequently and across multiple settings
are particularly at risk for future aggressive and antisocial behavior. Similarly, youth who engage in
overt behaviors such as bullying, generalized aggression and defiance, and covert behaviors such as
stealing, vandalism, lying, cheating, and fire setting also are at risk for more serious aggressive behavior.
Research suggests that age of onset may be a key factor in interpreting early warning signs. For
example, children who engage in aggression and drug abuse at an early age (before age 12) are more
likely to show violence later on than are children who begin such behavior at an older age. In the
presence of such signs it is important to review the child’s history with behavioral experts and seek
parents’ observations and insights.
Intolerance for differences and prejudicial attitudes. All children have likes and dislikes. However,
an intense prejudice toward others based on racial, ethnic, religious, language, gender, sexual
orientation, ability, or physical appearance — when coupled with other factors — may lead to violent
assaults against those who are perceived to be different. Membership in hate groups or the willingness to
victimize individuals with disabilities or health problems also should be treated as early warning signs.
Drug use and alcohol use. Apart from being unhealthy behaviors, drug use and alcohol use reduces
self-control and exposes children and youth to violence, either as perpetrators, as victims, or both.
Affiliation with gangs. Gangs that support anti-social values and behaviors — including extortion,
intimidation, and acts of violence toward other students — cause fear and stress among other students.
Youth who are influenced by these groups — those who emulate and copy their behavior, as well as
those who become affiliated with them — may adopt these values and act in violent or aggressive ways
in certain situations. Gang-related violence and turf battles are common occurrences tied to the use of
drugs that often result in injury and/or death.
Inappropriate access to, possession of, and use of firearms. Children and youth who inappropriately
possess or have access to firearms can have an increased risk for violence. Research shows that such
youngsters also have a higher probability of becoming victims. Families can reduce inappropriate access
35
and use by restricting, monitoring, and supervising children’s access to firearms and other weapons.
Children who have a history of aggression, impulsiveness, or other emotional problems should not have
access to firearms and other weapons.
Serious threats of violence. Idle threats are a common response to frustration. Alternatively, one of the
most reliable indicators that a youth is likely to commit a dangerous act toward self or others is a detailed
and specific threat to use violence. Recent incidents across the country clearly indicate that threats to
commit violence against oneself or others should be taken very seriously. Steps must be taken to
understand the nature of these threats and to prevent them from being carried out.
Imminent Warning Signs Unlike early warning signs, imminent warning signs indicate that a student is
very close to behaving in a way that is potentially dangerous to self and/or to others. Imminent warning
signs require an immediate response No single warning sign can predict that a dangerous act will occur.
Rather, imminent warning signs usually are presented as a sequence of overt, serious, hostile behaviors
or threats directed at peers, staff, or other individuals. Usually, imminent warning signs are evident to
more than one staff member—as well as to the child’s family.
Imminent warning signs may include:
Serious physical fighting with peers or family members;
Severe destruction of property;
Severe rage for seemingly minor reasons;
Detailed threats of lethal violence;
Inappropriate possession and/or use of firearms and other weapons;
Other self-injurious behaviors or threats of suicide.
When warning signs indicate that danger is imminent, safety must always be
the first and foremost consideration. Parents should be informed of the
concerns immediately. School communities also have the responsibility to
seek assistance from appropriate agencies, such as child and family services
and community mental health. Immediate intervention by school authorities
and law enforcement officers is needed when a child:
Has presented a detailed plan (time, place, method) to harm or kill others —
particularly if the child has a history of aggression or has attempted to carry out
threats in the past;
Is carrying a weapon, particularly a firearm, or has threatened to use one; or
Exhibits other threatening behaviors.
Students Who May Be Suicidal
In the event that a staff member has reason to believe that a student may be suicidal or
represent a potential threat to themselves or others the following action is to be taken:
Take all comments about suicidal thoughts seriously, especially if details of a
suicide plan are shared;
Immediately report concerns to an administrator;
Under no circumstances should an untrained person attempt to assess the
severity of suicidal risk; all assessment of threats, attempts, or other risk factors
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must be left to the appropriate professionals.
Response to a Suicide Attempt Not Occurring at School
When a school becomes aware that a student or staff member attempted suicide, the
school must protect that person’s right to privacy. Should a parent or other family
member notify the school of a student’s suicide attempt, the family should be referred to
appropriate community agencies for support services. Staff response should be focused
on quelling the spread of rumors and minimizing the fears of fellow students and staff. As
opposed to convening a Crisis Response Team meeting and alerting the student body, any
services provided to the person who attempted suicide must be kept confidential and
coordinated with outside service providers, such as a suicide crisis counselor or hospital
emergency team.
A suicide attempt becomes a crisis to be managed by school staff only when one or more
of the following conditions exist:
Rumors and myths are widespread and damaging;
Students witness police action or emergency services response;
Any of the attempter’s friends are profoundly affected by the suicide attempt and
request support.
When one or more of the above conditions exists, the following should be implemented:
Tell the person providing the information about the suicide attempt not to repeat it
elsewhere in the school;
If school office staff members heard the report, tell them not to repeat or give out
any information within or outside school unless they are specifically told to do so;
Have the Crisis Response Team member closest to the attempter talk to the most
profoundly affected friends and determine the type support they need;
Provide space in the school for the identified peers to receive support services.
Provide necessary passes to release these students from class to receive services.
School Reentry for a Student Who Has Attempted Suicide
Efforts to respond to suicide attempts and other traumas should be focused on making the
student’s return to school a comfortable one. Because families exposed to a suicide
attempt experience considerable guilt and fear, they are more likely to disclose that a
daughter or son has made an attempt if they know the school has a helpful, non-
threatening manner of dealing with suicide attempts.
Because a student who attempted suicide often is at greater risk for a suicide in the
months following the attempt, it is important to closely monitor his or her reentry into
school and to maintain close contact with parents and mental health professionals
working with that student. Assuming the student will be absent from one to four weeks
after a suicide attempt and possibly hospitalized in a treatment facility, a school will
follow these steps:
Obtain a written release of information signed by the parents. This makes it
possible for confidential information to be shared between school personnel and
treatment providers;
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Inform the student’s teachers regarding the number of probable days of absence;
Instruct teachers to provide the students with assignments to be completed, if
appropriate; Courses with required attendance need to be identified and the
teacher needs to assess the impact on the student’s ability to complete the
program.
Maintain contact with the student or parents to keep him/her informed of the latest
developments in the school;
Seek recommendations for aftercare from the student’s therapist. If the student
has been hospitalized, a Crisis Response Team member should attend the
discharge meeting at the hospital;
The Crisis Response Team member should convey relevant non-confidential
information to appropriate school staff regarding the aftercare plan;
Once the student returns to school, a Crisis Response Team member should
maintain regular contact with him/her;
The school should maintain contact with the parents to provide progress reports
and other appropriate information, and be kept informed of any changes in the
aftercare plan.
Mitigation To prepare for a crisis or critical incident, each school must recognize and understand the specific
threats that it faces. In addition to staff training, recognizing student threats and dangers, and issues
from individual school Crisis and Emergency Management plans, each school should know the external
threats in the school’s neighborhood and the threats posed by environmental and design factors of the
school. These issues can be addressed by thorough intelligence gathering and analysis, and by
conducting physical security assessments.
Intelligence and Analysis
Crime Analysis of Surrounding Areas
Staff at each school should have an understanding of the types and frequency of crime around the
school. Such knowledge can give an indication of risks and lead to plans to mitigate or minimize those
risks. A basic crime analysis can be conducted using information from the local Police Department’s
web site. One must first determine what ―beat‖ or police reporting area the school is in by using the
Police Department Precinct and Beat Map and clicking on the area in which the school is located. After
determining the beat number for the school and the contiguous beats, go to the Police Department
Quarterly Crime Statistics. An Excel spreadsheet will open listing each beat, each crime category, and
how many of each crime category occurred in each beat during that quarter of the year. A best practice
is to update the crime analysis each quarter as new data becomes available and to maintain analysis for
the previous 12 to 15 months.
The crime statistics for a school’s neighborhood can be used to understand what students and their
families face daily, educate staff about precautions they can take to protect themselves at and around
work, and provide indicators about risks to the school and its occupants.
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Registered Sex Offender Locations
As of October 1, 2008, there are 990 registered sex offenders living or working on the Peninsula. (
Hampton 334, Newport News 398, Poquoson 11, York County 30, James City County 79, Williamsburg
90 and Gloucester 48) There is no blanket law that prohibits all sex offenders from being on school
property. Certain offenders may have restrictions restricting their access to school property. (State
Police FAQ) It behooves school administrators to know who the sex offenders are in their
neighborhoods and among their students’ parents. While offenders may have a legitimate reason to visit
a particular school, administrators have the right and responsibility to regulate such visits and deny those
that are neither legitimate nor necessary.
The Virginia State Police operates the Sex Offender and Crimes against Minors Registry Home Page.
By clicking the ―Search the Public Notification Database‖ button, the search page opens with search
buttons of: zip code, county, city, name and map. In any search except ―map,‖ by clicking on an
individual, one will see a photo, home address, work location, sex offender history, and other
information. A search by zip code can be solely that zip code or include contiguous ones. A search by
name is effective for checking the status of a child’s parent or a potential school volunteer. To search the
map feature, enter the school’s address and a map will appear showing all registered sex offenders’
locations in relation to the entered address. This can be effective for checking in the immediate area of
the school or in the area of a field trip location. To keep information current, each school is encouraged
to register for community notification through the sex offender website, which will provide email
notification of any new registrants in the area.
While state law prohibits using information from the sex offender database to harass offenders, it is a
valuable tool to school staff and student families when used appropriately. The information can be used
in several ways, none of which violate offenders’ rights
Check parents and other volunteers and restrict their access if they are offenders
Encourage parents to check their neighbors, places they do business, and their children’s
friend’s families
Prescreen locations of field trips or locations where student may be assigned to go to
discover if offenders are employed there.
Physical Security Assessments Each school is responsible for maintaining its own physical security. Problems such as alarm systems
that do not work, broken windows, nonfunctioning locks, etc. should immediately be submitted as work
orders to ensure continuing physical security. Other aspects of physical security are ongoing and need
continual attention. Many of these aspects utilize the principles of Crime Prevention through
Environmental Design (CPTED) and follow the ―broken window theory.‖ Other factors are common
sense and best practices for deterring, complicating, or preventing criminal activity.
CPTED is based upon the belief that ―…the proper design and effective use of the built environment can
lead to a reduction in the fear and incidence of crime and an improvement in the quality of life.‖
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In 1982, James Wilson and George Kelling wrote Broken Windows. The idea they promoted is that in
no matter what type of neighborhood, if a building is left with a broken window, graffiti, trash, etc., long
enough, disorder and decline of the building or area surrounding it will spread.
There are three main interrelated principles that make up the CPTED concepts and strategies:
Natural Surveillance
o Places physical features, activities and people in a way that maximizes
visibility;
o Is directed toward keeping intruders under observation – thus, they are less
likely to commit criminal acts;
o Also has a reverse effect of making legitimate users/occupants feel safer
when they can see and be seen;
o Utilizes design features to increase the visibility of a property or a
building; and
o To maximize the visibility of people, parking areas and building entrances,
such features might include:
Unobstructed doors and windows,
Pedestrian-friendly sidewalks and streets,
Front porches,
Appropriate nighttime lighting.
Natural Access Control
o Physical guidance of people coming and going from a space by the
judicial placement of entrances, exits, fencing, landscaping and lighting is
directed primarily at decreasing the opportunity for criminal activity by
denying access to crime targets and creating a perception for risk for
offenders.
o People are physically guided through a space by the strategic design of
streets, sidewalks, building entrances, landscaping and gateways.
o Design elements are useful tools to clearly indicate public routes and
discourage access to private areas.
o Natural access control also uses physical and mechanical means of
controlling access such as:
Locks,
Alarm systems,
Signs.
Territoriality
o Uses physical attributes that express ownership such as fences, signage,
landscaping, lighting, pavement designs, etc.;
o Creates or extends a sphere of influence so that clearly delineated private
spaces encourage people to have more interest or a sense of pride and
ownership;
o Encourages users to develop a sense of territorial control, while potential
offenders, perceiving this control, are discouraged;
o Includes features that define property lines and distinguish between
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private and public spaces;
o Can be accomplished through measures such as:
Landscape plantings,
Pavement designs,
Gateway treatments,
Appropriates signage,
―Open‖ fences,
Three other ideas that support the principles of CPTED are:
Activity Support
o Encourages interaction by putting activities in public spaces that are
intended for use by residents or customers and other legitimate users, and,
therefore, discourages criminal activity
o Is more effective when activities are planned for times when the use of a
space is minimal
Target Hardening
o Traditional security measures such as good locks and alarms work in
harmony with CPTED concepts.
o Going overboard with such measures as barbed wire, window bars,
intercoms combined with electronic remote locks, etc. can create an
impression of an area with high crime and danger.
o Such measures might deter legitimate users and create an impression of
the location having high crime and danger that can also indicate to
criminals that criminal behavior is expected or anticipated
Maintenance
o Enables continued use of a space for its intended purpose
o Serves as an additional expression of ownership
o Avoids deterioration and blight that indicate lowered concern and control
by intended users
o Limits signs of tolerance for disorder
o Protects public health, safety and welfare and demonstrates acceptable
standards
Source: Safety by Design: Creating a Safer Environment in Virginia; Virginia Crime
Prevention Association; February 2005
A security assessment can be a scheduled, formal, checklisted activity using school administrators,
custodial staff, security and safety practitioners, law enforcement or other public safety authorities, and
others. There should also be daily, informal visual surveys by any staff member with an eye for detail.
Crisis Response Procedures
Overview
Communication is a critical part of crisis management. School staff members and students must be told
what is happening and what to do. Parents of students and families of staff members must be informed
about the situation, including the status of their child or family member. Timely contact with law
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enforcement and other emergency services is necessary for effective response. Superintendents and
School Board members must be kept informed and updated information must be transmitted to the
central office and to other affected schools. The press must be informed and kept updated. Additionally,
groups that are a part of the school community (advisory councils, school sponsored clubs etc.) and can
assist with getting accurate information into the community are important. This section focuses on
communication – within the school and school division, with parents and the community, and with the
media.
Internal Communications - Notifying faculty and staff of an event or crisis and keeping them
informed as additional information becomes available and as plans for management of the situation
evolve is critical. Some practices found to be helpful by school administrators include the following:
Telephone Tree - A telephone tree is a simple, widely used system for notifying staff of a crisis event
when they are not at school. A very carefully crafted statement, specifying what is and is not yet known,
should be drafted before the telephone tree is activated. As each ―branch‖ of the phone tree is given the
message, the recipient should be asked to write down the message and read it back until the exact
message has been received. That helps ensure that an accurate message is passed to the next branch.
Morning Faculty Meeting – An early, brief faculty meeting provides the opportunity to give accurate,
updated information about the crisis event/situation itself. It gives the opportunity to review procedures
for the day, and to discuss the availability of intervention resources. Note faculty that come in at varied
times and reach them individually as they arrive.
End-of-Day Faculty Meeting – A brief end-of-day meeting provides the opportunity to review the day,
update information, and plan for the next day. Misinformation or rumors can be addressed before staff
members go home or into the community where they are likely to be asked about the situation.
External Communications
A very important aspect of managing crises is dealing effectively with parent reactions. Communication
with parents and the community is best begun before a crisis occurs. Some useful strategies include the
following:
Educate parents about the school crisis plan, its objectives, and the need for it.
Such information can be included in the school handout or other informational
materials prepared for parents, at parent orientations, or at other informational
meetings. However, do not release detailed information about response plans.
That could compromise student and staff safety.
Develop a relationship with parents so that they trust and feel comfortable calling
school personnel in the event of crisis.
Develop materials that may be needed including:
o sample formats of letters to parents informing them of what happened
o outlines of possible reactions of children and ways to talk with them
o how the school and school division are handling the situation.
Develop a list of community resources which may be helpful to parents.
Identify parents who are willing to volunteer in case of a crisis, include them in
preparation efforts, and include them in training.
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Dealing with Rumors
Establishing reliable communications networks is critical for dealing effectively with a potentially
detrimental phenomenon always present in crises: rumors. People are going to talk about an emergency
and, when accurate information is not available, rumors begin. Without facts, people begin to speculate
and the speculations soon come to be thought of as ―facts.‖ Left unchecked, rumors can become more
difficult to deal with than the crisis event. They may create a negative perception of the school’s ability
to manage an emergency or, even worse, a belief that the school cannot provide for the safety and well
being of the children. The most effective strategy for combating rumors is to provide facts as soon as
possible.
Some strategies that may be helpful include the following:
Identify and notify internal groups including administrators, teachers, students,
custodians, secretaries, teaching assistants, and bus drivers. These people are
primary sources of information and are likely to be contacted in their
neighborhoods, at grocery stores, etc. It is critical that they have accurate
information because what they know (or do not know and are speculating about)
will be passed on. A faculty/staff meeting should be held before staff members
are allowed to go home so that what is (and is not) known can be clearly
communicated.
Clerical staff who answer the telephone at the school and at the administrative
office must know which information can be shared and which information cannot
be shared. They must be kept informed of inaccurate information that is
circulating so they can help ―correct‖ misinformation. Designating a few persons
to answer calls helps control the circulating of misinformation.
Use of key communicators in the community will also combat rumors. A
telephone tree or a briefing held especially for identified community
representatives directly associated with the school will help spread accurate
information.
The media can also help control rumors; ask them to provide frequent updates to
the public, particularly providing accurate information where rumors need to be
dispelled.
After a crisis, public meetings may be helpful. They provide opportunities for people to ask questions
and to receive accurate information. A follow-up public meeting may also be helpful in restoring the
community’s confidence in the school’s ability to manage crises and to provide a safe environment.
Communications with Media
Contact with the media should be coordinated through the Executive Director’s office. When dealing
with the media, the following suggestions promote clear communications:
Be honest. Do not try to ―spin‖ information to the best light. If you do not know
for sure, say that you do not know. Do not make it up or guess. If you are unsure
whether you should release a particular piece of information, refer the question to
the spokesperson or PIO.
Do not try to stonewall the media or keep them from doing their job.
Advise school staff of media procedures.
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Advise students that they do not have to talk to the media. Remind them that they
can refuse to speak to the media, but if they do, they must tell the truth.
If the crisis involves a death, consult with the deceased student/staff member’s
family before making any statement. Explain school system policy and assure
them that confidential information will be protected.
If the communications with the media occur while the crisis is ongoing, the
following tips can help ensure that only accurate information is released:
o Attempt to define the type and extent of the crisis as soon as possible.
o Inform employees what is happening as soon as possible.
o Designate that a central source, such as the crisis communications center,
coordinate information gathering and dissemination.
o Instruct all employees to refer all information and questions to
communications centers.
o Remind employees that only designated spokesmen are authorized to talk
with news media.
o Take initiative with news media and let them know what is or is not
known about the situation.
o When communicating, remember to maintain a unified position and
uniform message; keep messages concise, clear, and consistent; keep
spokesman and alternates briefed.
o Contact the top administrator or designee to inform him of the current
situation, emerging developments, and to clear statements.
o Delay releasing information until facts are verified and the school’s
position about the crisis is clear.
o Read all releases from previously prepared and approved statements and
avoid speaking extemporaneously.
Assign sufficient staff to handle phones and seek additional information.
Keep a log of all incoming and outgoing calls and personal contacts.
Relieve key people from their normal duties so they may focus on the crisis.
Express appreciation to all persons who helped handle the crisis.
Prepare a general announcement to be given by the principal or designee. A
straightforward sympathetic announcement of loss with a simple statement of
condolence is recommended. Also, a statement that more information will be
forthcoming, when verified, can be reassuring to students and staff.
The following ―dos and do nots‖ can help an inexperienced person work with the
media:
Do nots
o DO NOT try to keep the media out or ―kill‖ a story.
o DO NOT say ―no comment.‖
o DO NOT ad lib.
o DO NOT speak ―off the record.‖
o DO NOT speculate.
o DO NOT try to cover-up or blame anyone for anything.
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o DO NOT repeat negative/misleading words.
o DO NOT play favorites among media.
Dos
o Emphasize your school’s good record.
o Be accurate and cooperate as best you can.
o Be prepared for and prepare in advance a response to questions that might
violate confidentiality or hinder the police investigation.
o Insist that reporters respect the privacy rights of your students and staff.
o Speak to reporters in plain English — not in ―EDU-SPEAK‖
o When asked a question and you do not know the answer, say so, then offer
to find out and call the reporter back.
The primary goal should be to keep the public informed about the crisis while trying to maintain the
privacy of students and ensure as little interruption of the educational process as possible.
As soon as possible, prepare a written statement that gives the basic facts clearly and concisely or ask
the division Community Relations Director to prepare one for you. Two or three minutes spent writing
down some specific points is valuable. If there is time, try to anticipate what some of the questions will
be and prepare answers. News people will always want to know who, what, when, where, why, and how.
Try them out on your colleagues and see if they have any recurring questions. Use the same facts in
dealing with all media so the story is consistent.
Remember that the media have no right to be on a school’s campus. If they do not have express
permission to be on campus from the principal and/or division spokesperson, then they must leave.
Do not presume to tell a reporter what is or is not newsworthy. That decision is made by the reporters
and their editors. Never lie to a reporter. Tell the bad news quickly; get it over with. It may be your only
chance to set the record straight. It is vital to establish our division as the best source for information on
the crisis. If the media think you are hiding something, they are likely to dig hard for information from
other sources and play the story more sensationally — and perhaps less accurately. Protecting and
enhancing the division’s credibility is important.
Talk conversationally, or you will inadvertently pitch your voice up and sound strained. If you do not
understand the question, say so. Parroting the reporter’s question is very dangerous on radio or video
tape because the tape can be edited to sound like you concur whether you do or not. Suppose the
reporter asks, ―How are you handling this terrible shock?‖ Do not respond, ―We are handling this
terrible shock by . . .‖ Instead, respond in your own words to the effect that, ―The students are
continuing their usual schedules, following a morning assembly where we discussed the situation.‖
Answer each question and then be silent. Stick with the statement. Do not embellish it and do not
respond to media pressure to chat about it. Just because a TV reporter sticks a microphone in your face
or a radio reporter lets the tape run does not mean you have to fill that prolonged silence. Do not worry .
. . your pauses will be removed in the editing process. If you are standing for the interview, do not back
up, even through the microphone seems to be put down your throat. Plant your feel firmly and stand
your ground. Suggest that everyone sit down if you need ―space.‖ Remember that conflict is news, and
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reporters often frame their questions to bring out the conflict or emotion in a story. Guard your students
against such intrusions if grief is involved in the response. (However, if the media wants student or
community viewpoint, it may be well to arrange it for them.)
If a reporter asks several questions at once, say something like, ―You have asked me several questions
here. . . where would you like me to begin?‖ If a reporter interrupts you before you have finished
answered your question, pause, let the reporter finish, and then continue your answer. Do not let the
reporter get you off track or tell you when you have finished your answer. However, do not go into
lengthy detail or run off with the interview either.
Do not let a reporter’s friendly, sympathetic manner disarm you into giving him/her additional
information. Do not assume any chatty comments ―are of the record‖ even if you say they are. Keep in
mind that the media are not in business to help you with your communication needs: the media are in
business to (1) make money and (2) disseminate news. ―News‖ can be defined as any information of
interest to the public.
Reporters are under constant deadlines, but no deadline is so important that it is worth making an
inaccurate statement. If a reporter says he/she has deadline problems, ask how long you have to get the
information, and then try to obtain it within that amount of time. Do not put reporters off: they will only
get more insistent and abrasive if you do so.
It is best not to answer a query with ―No comment.‖ Otherwise, the reporters may report you would not
answer questions or may interpret for themselves why you are not answering. Instead, say, ―I can’t share
that information with you right now, but I will call you as soon as I can release it.‖ (And do call them).
Or say, ―I do not know the answer, but I should have it in an hour. Please call me.‖ If you can’t reveal
information at all, tell the reporters why. Examples: Relatives of an injured student have not been
notified yet or revealing the identity of a witness would jeopardize an investigation, etc.
After you provide the written statement to the media or answer subsequent questions, keep a media log
of whom you speak to and what you give them, whether it is the basic statement or a subsequent update.
This allows you to track which medium received what information.
Do not ask a reporter for editing rights or to see the story for approval before it runs. Most news media
have specific policies preventing this. Reporters may well interpret these requests as insults or a slight
on their competence. Do not complain to the media if you feel you were treated unfairly. You may
simply draw more attention to the crisis. If major story details are inaccurate in a newspaper story, you
can ask for a correction. But getting a similar correction in a TV or radio story is more difficult and must
involve a giant inaccuracy.
The Divisional Community Relations and Legislative Services Department should be updated on any
crisis. The Divisional Community Relations Department will assist organizational or building
administration in handling interviews with news media and coordinate the flow of information.
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Specific Crises Death of a Student or Staff Member
Contact Crisis Team members and have a team meeting as soon as possible.
Notify Director’s Office
Notify appropriate faculty members
Depending on the circumstances, it may be appropriate to request additional
security or police assistance for the next school day.
Prepare a fact sheet giving accurate, up-to-date information – do not release any
information about the deceased without explicit permission from the family.
Hold a faculty meeting as soon as possible. Review the procedures for the day,
availability of support services, and referral process for at-risk students.
Hold a faculty meeting at the end of the day to review the day’s events.
Notify all bus drivers by written memo to be alert for students who show signs of
emotional distress, along with a telephone number for drivers to use to reach a
guidance counselor
Personal contact should be made with the driver of the bus which goes into the
neighborhood of the student who has died.
Suicide
A school’s general response to a suicide does not differ markedly from a response to any sudden death
crisis. However, some issues exclusive to suicide require specific attention. School administrators must
allow students to grieve the loss of a peer without glorifying the method of death. Overemphasis of a
suicide may be interpreted by vulnerable students as a glamorization of the suicidal act, which can
assign legendary or idolized status to taking one’s own life.
The following ―dos‖ and ―do nots‖ will help school staff limit glamorization of suicide:
Do acknowledge the suicide as a tragic loss of life.
Do allow students to attend funeral services.
Do provide support for students profoundly affected by the death.
Do not organize school assemblies to honor the deceased student.
Do not dedicate the yearbook or yearbook pages, newspaper articles, proms,
athletic events, or advertisements to the deceased individual.
Do not pay tribute to a suicidal act by planting trees, hanging engraved plaques, or
holding other memorial activities.
WARNING:
A suicide in the school community can heighten the likelihood, in the subsequent weeks, of ―copycat‖
suicide attempts and threats among those especially vulnerable to the effects of a suicide. To prevent
further tragedies, students considered to be especially susceptible to depression/suicide must be carefully
monitored and appropriate action taken if they are identified as high risk. These efforts require a limited,
rather than school wide, response.
Suicide Threats
Students at risk can self-refer or be referred to the crisis team by school staff, parent, friend, neighbor, or
other person from the community. Students at risk range from those talking of hopelessness, to those
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writing poems with suicidal intent, to students telling someone of planning to harm him or herself. The
team member receiving the referral should gather pertinent information from the referral source before
contacting other team members.
Team Consult
When possible, the available team members gather to designate a case manager, considering the
following factors:
existing relationship with the student,
time and coverage constraints,
seriousness of the problem,
experience of the members.
The team or case manager reviews the student’s records and gathers information from
staff who know the student.
Crisis Interview
The case manager interviews the student on the day of the referral. The case manager determines
the extent of suicidal thinking,
the potential plan of suicide,
the lethality of the plan,
the history of the student’s suicidal thinking and attempts.
For severe cases, ensure the safety of the student through adult supervision.
Team Review
The case manager returns as soon as possible to the available team members to discuss the case and
formulate a plan of action. Depending on the seriousness of the case, the team may wish to consult with
other members not initially involved or discuss the case with Newport News Mental Health. Plans
formulated by the team might range from:
no further involvement,
to monitoring by a specific staff member,
to referral for counseling within the school setting,
to asking the parents to take immediate action with their child.
Outside Contacts
Parents of all interviewed students will be contacted by the case manager on the same day of referral and
interview. Parents will be told of the reason for referral, the outcome of the interview, and the plans
formulated by the team. When the suicide potential is significant, the case manager needs to ascertain
that the parents accept responsibility to follow through with the team’s recommendations. If the student
is dangerous to self and the parents cannot be located, then the case manager or designated administrator
contacts the Crisis Intervention Unit of Newport News Mental Health. In extremely dangerous
situations, the police may be called first to ensure the safety of the student.
Follow-up remains the responsibility of the case manager unless explicitly agreed to by other staff
members. The case manager documents the case and shares information with other team members.
Information must be kept confidential.
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Minor Accidents at School
This includes those that might occur on the grounds, in the building, classroom or shop areas, or during
school sponsored events.
All staff should know how to react to a minor injury or accident. Staff Member
are expected to remain calm. Teachers need to keep their students calm and
controlled in emergencies.
The office should maintain a list and include it in the school’s CEMP of any staff
or students who have medical training or current certification such as:
o EMT or Paramedic
o CPR/AED
Registered Nurse
o First Aid
The Principal/Director or Assistant Principal will decide when parents receive
notification of minor injuries
Following protocols established by the school Nurse or Principal/Director, each
teacher should be provided information about any student in his/her classroom
having special medical or physical needs and the procedures that the teacher may
follow in the event of a medical episode. These conditions might include
allergies, fainting, seizures, diabetes, etc.
Fights in School Settings
Fights and simple assaults on campus or at school activities can not be prevented or eliminated, but they
can be deterred by all staff taking an active role in monitoring students, maintaining a culture of courtesy
in the school, and encouraging staff to develop rapport with students to help break the ―code of silence.‖
Staff and students should be encouraged to report immediately any fight, assault, or potential for the
same.
Have a clear operation plan and be familiar with that plan. Be alert to patterns of stress and agitation in
students. Be familiar with information provided regarding managing a potentially dangerous person.
Intervention:
Intervening and managing physical altercations and/or fights require making a judgment call. There may
be several goals at one time and individual circumstances will determine the priorities of your
interventions. Interventions may include:
Disperse the crowd and ensure the safety of the students.
Call for help and assistance in managing the incident.
Focus on diffusing the fight.
Attend to medical needs.
Be knowledgeable about intervening with individuals who are dangerous.
Fights are not uncommon in a school environment. They can range from simple yelling altercations or
shoving matches between two people to full-scale brawls involving several or many participants. A
response to each fight must be evaluated separately. Factors to consider include:
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Number, age and size of participants,
Level of violence involved,
Weapons,
An obvious aggressor and victim, or ―mutual combat,‖
Respondent’s age, size, skill level and fitness level,
Bystander involvement.
To attempt to end the fight with as little force as possible,
Walk Briskly, do not run. Remove Glasses.
Get help along the way.
Recognize that there may be several subtle
things going on simultaneously that are being
tangibly expressed in the conflict. Is there gang
involvement? What other alliances might exist.
Dismiss the audience.
Give specific commands in a firm,
authoritative voice.
Defer to rules, not personal authority.
Separate the aggressor and the victim.
Avoid physical force if possible.
Remove participants to neutral locations.
Identify yourself to the fighters. Obtain identification.
Call the student by name. Get medical attention if necessary.
Stay away from the middle of the conflict. Describe incident in writing.
Provide protection and support for victims. Debrief witnesses.
Provide counseling – not simply the day after
the event, but as long as necessary.
Report incident to law enforcement or other
child serving agencies who may be serving the
involved student(s).
Medical Emergencies
For any medical emergency that might occur, immediately notify the school Nurse or Principal, it is
important to provide whatever first aid is appropriate. The Principal or school Nurse will decide if 911
needs to be notified. In addition to those notifications, notify any department that might be associated
with the origin of the emergency, such as
Security Etc.
Cardiac Arrest
Each year, cardiovascular disease and sudden cardiac arrest claim the lives of 335,000 Americans.
Approximately 95 percent of those victims die before reaching the hospital. Effective bystander CPR,
provided immediately after cardiac arrest, can double a victim’s chance of survival. CPR helps maintain
vital blood flow to the heart and brain and increases the amount of time that an electric shock from a
defibrillator can be effective. If bystander CPR is not provided, a sudden cardiac arrest victim’s chances
of survival fall 7 percent to 10 percent for every minute of delay until defibrillation. Few attempts at
resuscitation are successful if CPR and defibrillation are not provided within minutes of collapse. Source: CPR Facts and Statistics; American Heart Association; 2007
Most school facilities are equipped with at least one AED (Automatic External Defibrillator), and have
staff trained in its use. It is recommended that all staff and appropriately aged students be encouraged to
seek out CPR and AED training through the American Red Cross, American Heart Association, or other
recognized authority.
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Other Life-threatening Medical Emergencies
Potential life-threatening medical emergencies in a school environment are numerous. Such medical
emergencies could include, but are not limited to, allergic reactions, falls, sports impacts, poisoning,
assaults, diabetic problems, or electric shock. Having trained staff, first aid supplies, and a response
plan play a vital role in mitigating the risk of loss of life due to such emergencies. The school nurse or
school Principal should be immediately notified for any medical emergency.
Angry Parent
Listed below are some strategies that can help deescalate an encounter with an angry parent and
contribute to keeping involved staff members safe:
Be courteous and confident,
Remain calm,
Do not touch,
Keep at least an arm’s length distance,
Keep an exit route available and clear,
Listen,
Allow the opportunity to vent,
Meet in a neutral, protected location,
Leave door open or have another staff member join you,
Avoid blame — focus on what can be done,
Ask:
o ―How can I help you get the services you/your child needs?‖
o ―How can we work together?‖
o ―What kinds of support can we put in place to help your child succeed?‖
If you feel threatened, leave and seek help.
School-related Bus Wrecks
The Transportation staff is highly trained for procedures in the event of a bus wreck. In as far as it
affects the school; response should be in line with any other response for a student or staff injury or
death. If it is a mass casualty event or is near the school property, please follow the procedures outlined
under ―Transportation Disasters.‖ For information about the driver’s duties in a bus wreck, see
Appendix F, page 102.
Power Failure/Lines Down
Power loss often occurs with no warning. It can last from a few seconds to several days and be either
local or widespread. The loss can be a result of internal sabotage (someone purposefully tripping
breakers or switches with malicious intent); internal accidents (overloading circuits causing a breaker to
trip); failure of transmission lines (lightning, falling tree limbs, car accidents at transformers or power
poles, etc…); failure at the generating source (accident, weather- related, terrorism, etc.); or a planned
outage.
Encouraging staff and students to frequently save work on the computer can mitigate the damages
incurred from an unexpected power loss. Emergency egress lighting should be checked on a regular
basis and immediately repaired if not working. If lines are down, ensure that no one approaches them.
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If there has been a power failure at a school, or if lines are reported down in the
area of the school, notify Facilities Manager. They will coordinate with Dominion
Virginia Power to get power restored.
Notify the Director’s Office. If school will close early, coordinate with school
Principal and Transportation.
Loss or Disruption of Water
Water loss often occurs with no warning. It can last from a few seconds to a few days and be either
local or widespread. The loss can be a flow stoppage or as a public health order due to contamination
and can be as a result of internal sabotage (someone purposefully turning off valves or breaking pipes
with malicious intent); internal accidents (frozen and burst pipes, broken pipes from construction or
renovation); outside failure (flooding of treatment facilities, collapsed pipes, source contamination,
etc…); or a planned outage. In addition to concerns about potable water supply and sanitation issues,
schools with sprinkler systems must be aware of potential additional fire hazards during a time of water
loss.
To limit the potential for internal sabotage, it is recommended that access to main valves be secured at
all times. There should be an emergency supply of potable water available for student/staff needs such
as taking medication or heat illness-associated dehydration.
If there has been a water loss at school, notify the Facilities Manager. They will
coordinate with the city waterworks to get water restored.
Notify the Director’s Office. If school will close early, coordinate with the
Principal and Transportation.
Loss or Disruption of Communications
Communications loss often occurs with no warning. It can last from a few seconds to a few days and be
either local or widespread. Affected communications could involve either telephone or computers.
Service loss can be as a result of internal sabotage (disconnecting phone wires, infecting computers with
a virus, etc.); external sabotage (destruction of phone switching stations, infecting computers with a
virus, etc.); external accidents (car hitting phone pole, weather-related downing of wires, etc.); or
unexplained failure, especially with computer communications.
It is recommended that someone in each facility have a cellular phone and a hard
copy list of contact numbers.
Issued NHREC radios will be internal communications source and personal cell
phones will become primary communications tools for the site.
If there has been a communications loss at a school, notify Network
Administration. They will coordinate efforts to get communications restored.
Notify the Executive Director’s Office. If school will close early, coordinate with
be coordinated with divisional transportation directors.
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Loss or Disruption of Shelter
Shelter loss can be as simple as a room being unusable due to a roof leak or noxious odor, to as complex
as structural collapse of all or part of a facility. Such losses could have numerous reasons. Student and
staff safety is the primary concern. Once safety is established, then other concerns such as effective
learning spaces, building maintenance and repair, and building stability can be handled.
Actions
Determine the extent of the damage.
Call 911 and Transportation Dispatch if shelter loss is catastrophic or the result of
an emergency:
o Fire, bomb, noxious odor, etc.
o Not for a roof leak, burst pipe, etc.
Evacuate or move students to safe areas in building.
o Move students only if uninjured.
o Injured students should be evaluated by nursing staff other medical
personnel before moving – unless danger is imminent if they do not move.
o Uninjured students should be placed in a common location with adult
supervision and accounting.
o Injured students who can be moved should be put in a common location
for triage/treatment.
If school will close early, coordinate with Community Relations and
Transportation.
Perceived Crises
Perceived crises are conditions or situations, often community-based, which are perceived as potentially
affecting a large number of people. Examples of perceived crisis include racial events, school rivalry
situations, events in which a group feels left out or not represented, introduction of new school
procedures without adequate warning, real or perceived unsafe conditions such as toxic fumes or food
poisoning, gang-related activities, or rumors about people with HIV/AIDS, MRSA or other contagious
conditions. It is the task of those in charge to defuse any irrational response.
Prevention:
Identify situations in advance that may be perceived crises.
Establish open lines of communication with students and staff.
Develop a procedure for dealing with the public and the media.
Intervention:
For any health condition, immediately contact the appropriate health authorities.
Do not panic. Project a sense of calm and control.
Gather detailed and accurate information about the perceived crisis.
If necessary, call a team meeting to assess the situation and make decisions on
what actions to take.
Provide appropriate faculty, staff and those individuals or groups affected by the
situation with specific information.
Designate someone who would act as a single point of contact for controlling
rumors. Keep lines of communication open; a feeling that secrets are being kept
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can increase the sense of crisis.
Have trained individuals available to speak with small groups of student / staff.
Take all actions that you have determined necessary to prevent a more serious
situation from developing.
Post incident:
Conduct stabilizing activities as soon as possible to project an atmosphere of
normal conditions.
Conduct follow-up and assessment activities with team members and other staff.
Critical Incident Procedures Calling 911 - Call 911 immediately to report to police, fire or rescue any critical incident that causes an
imminent threat or harm to students, staff or structure.
When calling 911, tell the dispatcher the following information:
Where the emergency is;
What the emergency is;
Who is calling;
What responses are in place already.
Stay on the line until the dispatcher tells you to hang up.
Any time that 911 is called, notify the office, Principal/Director and Security. The Principal/Director
will notify appropriate school resources such as the Executive Director’s Office, School Security,
(depending on the nature of the event). In an event where it is necessary to immediately halt buses
(lockdown, school shooting, terrorism) transportations should be notified.
Fire/Explosion/Alarms
Fire- Fires in schools may result from cooking, lab equipment, arson, infrastructure problems, natural
causes, or accidents. While human life and safety are the paramount concerns, property cannot be
ignored. Suppression efforts by staff with rudimentary training can minimize property damage and
long-term disruption to the school. In the event a fire is detected within a school building:
Sound the FIRE ALARM by pulling the alarm system located in the halls or in
specific rooms.
Call 911 and Office.
Close all doors and windows, including any doors separating sections of the
building and at stairwells to confine the fire.
Evacuate the building immediately to at least 300 feet from the structure and out
of the Fire department’s operational area.
Make special provisions for handicapped students.
o Specific persons, plus alternates, should be assigned to assist specific
handicapped individuals.
o Evacuation plans for the handicapped should be reviewed and practiced
and periodically updated.
Take roll. Each teacher should leave the room with a class roster and the day’s
roll to account for all students.
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The Office Staff should bring out sign in logs when evacuating to account for
building visitors
Render first aid as necessary.
Keep access roads open for emergency vehicles.
Allow no one to enter the building until the Fire Department has declared it safe
Regulate who goes back into the school. Consider having one designated person
retrieve everyone’s individual personal items.
If the school closes and students need transportation to another location or home,
contact the Transportation Department
NOTE: The custodial staff, maintenance, administrators, and other appropriate personnel should be
trained to use fire extinguishers to fight small fires. However, they should not endanger their lives in
doing so.
Explosion
An explosion could be accidental or intentional. Accidental sources may include a gas leak, boiler
pressure, or a chemical reaction. Intentional sources may include chemical reactions, black powder, or
high explosives. To mitigate potential damages from explosions, administrators should ensure that: the
custodial staff comply with maintenance and operating standards for all equipment in the school;
cleaning and other agents are kept secured; science experiments are properly supervised; threats are
assessed and taken seriously; and a culture of trust is cultivated that encourages students to report
suspicions without fear of reprisal. Follow the procedures for fire with the understanding that there may
be more and more severe injuries.
Unexpected Alarm Activation
The alarm systems in the schools and facilities are in place to alert occupants that a fire or
suspected fire is happening. Alarms may also be used as a diversion for an attacker or to simply disrupt
school. Any decision to evacuate must be made with student and staff safety in mind based on a totality
of the circumstances. On March 24, 1998, at Westside Middle School in Jonesboro, Arkansas, 11-year-
old Andrew Golden activated the fire alarm and then ran to join 13-year-old Mitchell Johnson, who was
waiting in the woods near the school with a supply of weapons. As teachers and students began filing
out of the school, Golden and Johnson opened fire. They shot 15 students and teachers, killing five.
There have been numerous examples of false fire alarm activations for students to postpone tests and
assignments, or simply to disrupt campus activity. Under Virginia State Code § 18.2-212, maliciously
activating the fire alarm in a public building is a class1 misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail
and/or $2,500 in fines.
(I need to discuss this)
If the fire alarm sounds unexpectedly, and a fire is not immediately obvious to the administrator, the
alarm should be quickly evaluated.
Consider immediately getting on the P.A. and instructing building occupants to
prepare for an evacuation, but to remain in their rooms
Ask for anyone who can see a definite fire or signs of fire to alert the office
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Check alarm enunciator panel for location of alarm activation.
Have another person go to that area to check for fire
If the alarm is legitimate, evacuate and follow the procedures for Fire.
If the alarm is false:
o Instruct building occupants to stay in place and not evacuate due to false
alarm;
o Turn off the alarm;
o Secure the activated alarm and allow no one to touch it;
o Notify the police and the alarm company;
o Consider searching outside the school and restricting outside activities or
movement until the area is believed safe.
Whether legitimate or false, notify the Director’s Office of the event and coordinate with Community
Relations and Transportation for any issues that arise.
Flooding
A flash flood is the rapid rise of water along a stream or in low-lying urban area. Slow moving or
multiple thunderstorms occurring in the same area and the water runoff from roads and other surfaces
overwhelming the ability of drainage systems to contain it can produce flash floods. A river flood is the
inundation of a normally dry area caused by an increased water level in an established watercourse.
River flooding is often caused by:
Excessive rain from tropical storms making landfall,
Persistent thunderstorms over the same area for an extended time,
Combined rainfall and snowmelt,
Ice jam.
NOAA Weather Radio is the best means for a school to receive warnings from the National Weather
Service. The National Weather Service broadcasts weather forecasts and warnings that may include:
Flood Watch: Conditions are right for flooding in the watch area;
Flood/Flash Flood Warning: Flooding is imminent or in progress in the area of
the warning.
The Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service of the National Weather Service provides improved river
and flood forecasting and water information. The major themes of the AHPS are:
Short-term through long-term forecasts (from minutes to months including
probabilistic products for risk management decisions);
Real-time flood forecasts maps depicting the extent of flooding;
More timely and accurate flash flood warnings through the use of enhanced flash
flood decision assistance tools.
Additional AHPS information Source: Floods – The Awesome Power; U.S. Department of Commerce;
August 2002 In the event of a sudden or flash flood affecting school grounds, move all personnel to high
ground such as a second floor, on top of desks or tables, or on stage in the auditorium. Make
notifications to 911 and the Director’s Office.
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Tornados
Each school must conduct tornado drills as directed by the Supervisor of Environmental Health and
Safety. Each school should develop a map to determine areas of shelter to be used during a tornado.
Areas of large roof expanses (gyms, cafeterias and large shop areas) and areas with large amounts of
glass should not be used as shelters. The safest shelter areas are interior, windowless rooms and
hallways that have load-bearing walls and are on the lowest possible level. Upon request, the Supervisor
of Environmental Health and Safety can assist school staff in conducting a tornado shelter assessment.
In the southeast United States, tornados occur most frequently in the spring and summer months. A
tornado is a violently rotating column of air that typically spawns from a thunderstorm. Wind speeds
may exceed 250 miles per hour. Destruction paths may be more than a mile wide and over 50 miles
long.
NOAA Weather Radio is the best means for a school to receive warnings from the National Weather
Service. The National Weather Service broadcasts weather forecasts and warnings that may
include:
Tornado Watch – Tornados are possible in your area. Remain alert for
approaching storms;
Tornado Warning – A tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar. If
a tornado warning is issued for your area and the sky becomes threatening, move
to your pre-designated place of safety;
Severe Thunderstorm Watch – Severe thunderstorms are possible in your area;
Severe Thunderstorm Warning – Severe thunderstorms are occurring.
Tornados can develop in areas under a Severe Thunderstorm Watch or Warning. People in those areas
should remain alert to signs of an approaching tornado and seek shelter if threatening conditions exist.
Warning signs of a tornado include:
Dark, often greenish sky, Loud roar; similar to a train,
Wall cloud, Visible funnel, may or may not
Large hail, reach the ground
Other dangers that often accompany thunderstorms include:
Flash floods – Number one weather Damaging straight-line winds
killer– nearly 150 deaths annually, up to 140 mph,
Lightning – Kills 75 – 100 people Large hail – Can be the size
each year of a grapefruit- causes damage
annually to property and crops Source: Tornadoes… Nature’s Most Violent Storms; U.S. Department of Commerce; Revised February 1995
Status: TORNADO WATCH
Principal/Director
Advise teachers and staff via the P.A. system that a tornado watch is in effect.
Advise teachers to review the ―drop and tuck’ command and designated areas of
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shelter with students.
Designate staff to monitor NOAA and television broadcasts for additional
information.
Bring students located outside of the building or in classroom trailers into the
main building.
Advise the teacher in science labs to prepare to shut off the main gas supply valve
to the lab room in the event of a tornado warning.
Have a plan in place to assist special needs students and staff.
Have an alternate plan of communication ready should there be a loss of power
(e.g., bull horn, phone tree, runners, etc.).
Teachers
Review the ―drop and tuck‖ command and designated areas of shelter with
students.
O Ensure that persons who are physically unable to ―drop and
tuck‖know to stand directly against an interior wall, lie flat on the
floor by the wall, or other method of protection that may be
necessitated by a physical condition. The Supervisor of
Environmental Health and Safety can assist with methods for
specific cases.
Close windows and blinds.
Be prepared to ―drop and tuck‖ under desks if the immediate command is given
over the P.A. system or if there is an immediate need to do so.
Status: TORNADO WARNING
Principal/Director
Advise teachers and staff of the tornado warning.
Advise all teachers to escort classes to their pre-designated areas of shelter.
Notify pre-designated staff to keep a look out in order to ―spot‖ tornado funnels.
Depending on their position, these staff may need the means to make immediate
contact with the Principal/Director if a funnel cloud is sighted.
Be prepared to give the ―drop and tuck‖ command via the P.A. system if danger is
imminent. Occupants may need to ―drop and tuck‖ under desks if they have not yet
been moved to areas of shelter in the school.
Delay bus departures.
Parents picking up students should be advised of the tornado warning and
persuaded to stay with their child.
Have immediate access to the contents of the ―Emergency Management Kit‖ and
distribute flashlights as necessary.
Teachers
Escort students to the pre-designated areas of shelter.
Take a class roster and account for all students.
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Ensure that students sit quietly against a wall on the floor and that they understand
the ―drop and tuck‖ command:
o Protect yourself.
o Lie face down
o Draw your knees up under you
o Cover the back of your head with your hands
o Or other safe method if physically unable to ―drop and tuck.‖
Close all fire doors and gates along the corridor to minimize injury from flying
debris.
Other Severe Weather
NOAA Weather Radio is the best means for a school to receive severe weather warnings and updates
from the National Weather Service. The National Weather Service broadcasts forecasts, watches and
warnings that may include:
Severe thunderstorms,
Flash floods,
Winter storms,
As well as non-weather-related public safety emergencies originating with the city or
state.
Community Sheltering Operations
There are eight primary shelters, eight secondary shelters, and two public works staging area shelters
designated as Emergency Shelters. Shelters are designated to deal with hurricanes, flooding,
radiological emergencies, or other events causing evacuation from any part of the city. Depending on the
presenting situation, any school or public building in the city could be utilized as a shelter.
The Newport News and Hampton Department of Social Services has employees assigned to operate
these shelters on a 2 shift/24 hour basis. Shelters are operated in conjunction with the American Red
Cross. These employees have been trained in shelter management by the Red Cross and Virginia
Department of Emergency Services and all workers have specific assignments they are responsible for
performing when a shelter is activated.
In addition to the above shelter team members, supportive service agreements are in place with a
number of city/community agencies that will also assist in shelter operations:
Fire Department - Emergency Medical Technicians/Paramedics
Hampton Roads Chapter of the American Red Cross - Shelter Staff/Red Cross
Nurses
Police Department - Field Supervisor and Uniformed Officers
RACES - Licensed Communications Operators
Peninsula Clergy Association - Clergy
The City of Newport News operates the Emergency Operations Center from the command center at 513
Oyster Point Road during all emergency/disaster situations. The City of Hampton operates the
Emergency operations Center from the command center on the 8th
floor of City Hall at 22 Lincoln street.
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The staff in the Emergency Operations Center will ensure continued communications with each shelter
activated through telephone communications, cellular telephones, and radio communications.
The responsibility of the school staff reporting to the shelter will be of a supportive role and protection
of school property interests. Newport News cafeteria manager will be called to open Woodside Lane
Campus, if it is used as a designated shelter, school cafeteria and to begin to prepare a light snack/full
meal (dependent on situation) for evacuees and staff working in the shelter. All food supplies available
in the school will be made available to care for occupants of the shelter.
School division personnel who are responsible for remaining at the shelter include a school
administrator, at least one custodian, and a security officer if one is available. Due to the round- the-
clock nature of shelter operations, personnel in these roles should make arrangements to provide for
their families’ safety throughout the emergency and should develop a schedule for relief from a
secondary team of an administrator and a custodian. It is suggested that 12-hour shifts be planned.
The Principal/Director of each school that is designated as a community emergency shelter must include
site-specific information in his/her School Crisis Emergency Response Plan.
Upon notification that your school will be opened as a shelter, it will be necessary to ensure an
employee with keys to the building responds immediately to unlock the main entrance to the building
and all emergency fire exits. The operation of the shelter and decisions on where evacuees will be
housed will be the responsibility of the Department of Social Services' Shelter Supervisor. School staff
will assist and cooperate in unlocking doors, providing equipment and that may be needed by the shelter
team, and limiting access to unused areas of the school
The City of Newport News and Hampton has an Automated Shelter Registration System that operates
through the city's computer mainframe. During shelter operations it will be necessary for Social
Services employees to utilize one or more personal computers and terminals located in the schools. The
city’s Data Processing Department has loaded software on the equipment. Labels have been affixed to
indicate which machines have this software. The software on these machines is not to be altered in any
way and the labels are not to be removed. The labels will direct Social Services data entry operators to
correct equipment when a shelter is activated. If software files have been deleted or altered, the system
will not operate and the system is rendered useless.
Other support services of the division will ensure that critical services and maintenance are available as
needed. Examples include plumbing, electrical service, information technology and communications.
The City of Newport News and Hampton will determine when shelters are to be opened and when
operations will be concluded. If shelter operations will be for longer than 48 to 72 hours due to a major
disaster, the Department of Social Services will request assistance from the American Red Cross in
continued shelter operations and staffing.
Transportation Disasters
Non-school-related transportation disasters are those that do not involve school students or staff, but
which affect the school either through damage or road closures. This might include aircraft wrecks for
those schools in the NNWIA approach path, hazardous materials tanker truck wrecks on nearby roads or
highways, or severe multi-car wrecks near the school. A wreck that causes physical damage to the
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school facilities, or that produces a hazardous material exposure can be treated as any other facility
damage or exposure. A wreck resulting in road closures around the school may affect the ability of
students and staff to get to school or to leave school. A wreck producing mass casualties may require
that school facilities be used as a shelter, triage center, temporary morgue, or Nightingale Medevac
Helicopter landing zone.
If disaster affects a school building:
Call 911 and tell the dispatcher what happened, where it is, and if there are any
injuries or fire.
Notify the Director’s office and Transportation.
Utilize emergency exit plan modified to maximize safety of students.
Assemble students and staff in an area as far from the crash scene as possible and
up-hill and up-wind from the crash.
Provide for treatment and removal of injured building occupants.
Account for all building occupants and determine extent of injuries. If near a
school building, but no damage to building:
If near a school building, but no damage to building:
Call 911 and tell the dispatcher what happened, where it is, and if there are any
injuries or fire.
Notify the Transportation dispatch office.
Coordinate with Transportation and Community Relations for any deviation to
student transportation that may be caused by the incident.
All students and staff should remain in the buildings. Any students or staff outside
should report immediately to their classrooms or designated areas until further
instructions are received.
No evacuations should occur unless subsequent explosions or fire endangers the
building.
Bomb Threats/Telephone Threats
The building Principal/Director must evaluate the veracity of bomb or other threats using input from all
sources; then the director acts in such a manner that reflects the best safety interests of those under
his/her charge. Bomb and other threats may originate in writing, in person, over the telephone or through
a second source.
An anonymous threat has historically been thought of to include the threat to place or detonate a bomb.
However, in today’s environment there are other threats that can be assessed and reacted to in similar
ways. These include mailed, phoned or left threats of chemical or biological exposure (I am going to
release anthrax in your school. I have chlorine gas and will place it in your school’s ventilation
system.), threats to commit violence (I am going to shoot six cheerleaders in the gym during the pep
rally), and bomb threats (the word BOMB‖ written in lipstick on a bathroom mirror). Reasons that a
person may make an anonymous threat in a school environment may include:
to disrupt school activities
to provide a diversion for some other action
to test and observe reactions for a future attack
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to extort
to invoke fear and confusion among students, staff and the community
to ―copycat‖
The threat may come as a phone call, email message, note, graffiti, letter, etc. While every threat must
be taken seriously and investigated thoroughly, reaction to each threat will be different depending on a
threat assessment. The police department investigates threats.
A suspicious package or item can range from an unattended book bag left by a water fountain during
school hours to a piece of plastic pipe with wires attached to a timing device left on the front stoop of a
school overnight. The fire department investigates any suspicious package or item assessed to be threat.
Suspicious mail can be in the form of a threat (addressed under Anonymous Threats) or as a piece of
mail that contains characteristics commonly accepted as being suspicious. These characteristics include:
No return address Excessive postage
Restrictive markings (―confidential,‖ Oily stains, discolorations,
―personal,‖ ―do not bend,‖ etc…) crystallization on wrapper
Sealed with tape Excessive tape
Misspelled words Strange odor
Badly typed or written Incorrect title or addressed to
title only
Unknown powder or suspicious Rigid or bulky
substance Lopsided or uneven
Possibly mailed from a foreign Protruding wires
country
Suspicious packages or mail could contain chemical, biological, radiological or explosive agents; they
could be completely benign or be done as a prank or to test responses in preparation for a future attack.
source: Mail Center Security Guidelines; United States Postal Service; Publication 166; September 2002
Even without an accompanying threat, a suspicious item or mail should be assessed as a threat. If
deemed threatening, then procedures should be followed as outlined in ―if a suspicious item or package
is found‖ below.
Basic Documentation - The individual taking the call should:
Keep the caller on the line as long as possible and gather information as outlined
below
Notify principal/building director.
Call 911
Write down all the information obtained in the exact words. Use the record sheet
in the appendix; place copies of the bomb threat sheet at switchboard and other
appropriate phone locations.
Find out what time the bomb is due to go off.
Document in writing, as soon as possible, other types of threat contacts including:
o Specific time message is received,
o Date and day of week,
o Exact wording of message,
o Estimation of sex, age, cultural background of person making call,
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o Background noises, tone of voice.
The building administrator or designee shall:
Evaluate the threat and consider the veracity;
Decide on a course of action that considers the safety of students and staff, as well
as accounts for instructional time and needs. The police department investigates
bomb threats, but will not advise whether to evacuate or remain inside. There are
three basic actions that could result from a bomb threat based on levels of
believed veracity:
o Search with students in place
Announce that all students and faculty are to clear the halls and
remain in their current locations.
Have a prepared written search command that administrators,
security or other staff member can hand deliver to each room.
Have teachers search their classrooms (library, gym locker room,
etc.) for any suspicious item or package.
Have other staff search their areas of responsibility (cafeteria,
nurse’s office, computer room, storage closets, etc.) for any
suspicious item or package.
Have custodians and/or security search common areas (halls,
stairwells,
bathrooms, etc.) for any suspicious item or package.
Each staff member should discreetly notify the office that the each
has been completed and if anything has been found.
Office personnel should maintain a list of all rooms and check off
those that have been searched and cleared so that a thorough search
can be documented.
o Search with students contained in a common area
Determine where students will be contained (auditorium, gym,
etc.) and search that area for any suspicious item or package.
Move all students and staff to the cleared area without their
personal belongings.
Have designated staff search rooms and common areas for any
suspicious item or package.
Each search member should discreetly notify the office that the
search has been completed and if anything has been found.
Office personnel should maintain a list of all rooms and check off
those that have been searched and cleared so that a thorough search
can be documented.
o Search with an evacuated building
Determine where students will be contained (ball field, parking lot,
or other area a safe distance from the school building and search
that area for any suspicious item or package).
Move all students and staff to the cleared area without their
personal belongings.
Have designated staff search rooms and common areas for any
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suspicious item or package.
This search may include law enforcement K9 units and fire
department investigators.
Each search member should discreetly notify the office that the
search has been completed and if anything has been found.
Office personnel should maintain a list of all rooms and check off
those that have been searched and cleared so that a thorough search
can be documented.
o If a suspicious item or package is found,
Searchers must not touch or move the item.
Clear the area around the item or building.
Ensure that the investigating police officer is aware.
The fire department investigates all suspicious items or
suspected devices.
In any event, no bomb threat should ever be ignored or disregarded
without being investigated.
If a decision is made to close school for the day, be sure to
coordinate with the Director’s Office, Transportation and
Community Relations.
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Chemical or Hazardous Materials Exposure
In most cases, the actual chemical will be unknown at the time of the exposure. Exposure may come by
eating, drinking, breathing or touching harmful chemicals. A strong chemical odor or a visible vapor
cloud could mean that a chemical is in the air. However, a bad odor or a visible vapor cloud does not
always mean the chemical is harmful, and some toxic chemicals do not have any odor or a vapor cloud.
Symptoms of a minor chemical exposure may include:
tearing eyes blurred vision
burning of the eyes, nose, throat, chest stomach ache
or skin diarrhea
headache anxiety
sweating
Once exposure ends, the symptoms may go away quickly.
A large chemical exposure may also cause more serious effects such as:
difficulty breathing feeling faint
coughing weakness
wheezing
The most severe exposures may produce a sudden collapse, convulsions or seizures, or death.
A person can receive indirect exposure by contacting the clothing, skin or decontamination water of a
directly exposed victim.
A hazardous chemical release or exposure could be accidental or intentional. Accidental causes may
come from a science experiment, motor vehicle wreck, cleaning supplies, or industrial accident. An
intentional release may be a misguided ―prank,‖ an assault, or an act of terrorism.
Mitigation steps may include:
ensuring that HVAC systems are functioning as designed;
securing cleaning materials and other chemicals;
ensuring all science experiments are supervised;
monitoring the emergency alert radio;
providing personal protective equipment and training to anyone who may respond
to a chemical release. Source: Unknown Chemical Exposure; Virginia Department of Health; August 4, 2004
If the spill or exposure occurs inside the building with a known substance:
Consult the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) or The Hazardous Materials
Emergency Response guide to determine correct response and respond
accordingly. MSDS Search
MSDS and the ERG will detail
o physical data o first aid
o melting point o reactivity
o boiling point o storage
o flash point o disposal
o toxicity o protective equipment
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o health effects
o spill handling
o procedures
Notify the building Principal.
If the spill or exposure occurs inside the building with an unknown substance:
Evacuate the area.
Notify
o 911
o front office, Building Principal
Shut down HVAC systems and seal the area.
Get exposed persons to fresh air and treat symptoms.
If the spill or exposure occurs outside the building:
Get all persons inside the building.
Close all windows and doors.
Shut down HVAC systems.
Notify
o 911
o Front Office, Building Principal
Treat symptoms of exposed persons.
All Teachers should assure that they maintain a current MSDS sheet book for their classroom or shop
area. A master MSDS Sheet book should be maintained in the front office.
Radiological Emergency (Surry Nuclear Power Station and Other Sources) There are numerous
potential radiation hazards in the Newport News area.
The Surry Nuclear Power Station has a 10-mile plume phase emergency planning zone (EPZ) and a 50-
mile ingestion phase EPZ. The following schools are located within the 10-mile plume phase EPZ:
New Horizons Regional Education Center Woodside Lane campus
Several hundred facilities in Virginia use radioactive materials ranging from major medical facilities
performing therapeutic or diagnostic procedures to industrial users testing for lead in paint. Each
application has its own risk of contaminating or exposing people to unnecessary levels of radiation.
Facilities in Newport News that use radioactive materials include Thomas Jefferson National
Accelerator Facility (Jefferson Labs), Northrop Grumman (shipyards), and Riverside Regional Medical
Center. Facilities in Hampton that use radioactive materials include Sentara Care Plex, LAFB, NASA,
Teledyne-Hastings, VA Medical Center.
Numerous shipments of radioactive materials travel on the Commonwealth’s highway every day with
the potential for a transportation accident that may damage the shipping containers.
Potential also exists for a radiological emergency originating on one of the many nearby military bases
or from a terrorist attack. Source: First Responders and Local Radiological Emergency Response Officials; Virginia Department of Health; January 5, 2007
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Surry Nuclear Power Station
Schools located within 10 miles of the Surry Nuclear Power Station could require one of two actions:
evacuation or sheltering.
Evacuation
In the event that Newport News schools located with in 10 miles of the Surry Nuclear Power Station are
instructed to evacuate, proceed according to the following plan.
Upon receiving notification of a need to evacuate, the appropriate signal will be
given and the staff will proceed with all students to their respective rooms. Staff
will review the class roster to ensure all students are present.
An employee will be designated to check the playground, and grounds to warn
teachers and students to return to the building and their respective rooms.
The Butler Farm Campus will work with the Woodside Lane campus to move
student to Butler farm
When the buses arrive at the bus loading area, the students and staff will leave
their rooms and proceed to the bus loading area. Staff will carry rosters and other
evacuation supplies.
Students and staff will board the buses. Windows must remain closed.
Risk School Host School
Woodside Lane Campus Butler Farm Campus
Sheltering
In the event that Newport News schools located within 10 miles of the Surry Nuclear
Power Station are instructed to shelter in place, proceed according to the following plan.
Upon receiving notification of a need to shelter, the appropriate signal will be
given and the staff will proceed with all students to their respective rooms. Staff
will review the class roster to ensure all students are present.
An employee will be designated to check the playground and warn teachers and
students to return to the building and their respective rooms.
Custodial staff will ensure all windows and doors are shut. Heating, cooling and
ventilation systems will be cut off.
Students and staff will remain sheltered until notified by the Emergency
Operations Center that such action is no longer necessary.
Risk and Host Schools Crisis and Emergency Response Plans
The Principal of each risk school must make evaluation and sheltering information parts of his/her
School Crisis and Emergency Response Plan.
The Principal of each Host school must make the reception of evacuated students and staff a part of
his/her School Crises and Emergency Response Plan.
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Loss, Disappearance or Kidnapping of a Student
A student can become missing due to kidnapping or abduction by a non-custodial parent or guardian,
kidnapping for ransom, kidnapping for sexual assault or other crime, running away, or simply becoming
lost. It could happen on the way to or from school, on school property, or on a school field trip.
On average, 2,185 children are reported missing each day. Over 200,000 each year are the victims of
family abductions. Nearly 60,000 each year are the victims of non-family abductions. Each year, over
100 children are the victims of a ―stereotypical‖ kidnapping in which someone whom the child does not
know or who is a slight acquaintance holds the child overnight, transports the child at least 50 miles,
kills the child, demands ransom, or intends to keep the child permanently. Source: Statistics; National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
Schools can take many mitigation steps. Within the school, administrators should ensure that access
control is always in place and that each staff member plays a role in identifying people on the campus or
in the building. Staff members should familiarize themselves with registered sex offenders in the area of
the school and encourage parents to do the same. Students should not be alone at any time. If a staff
member is not present, then at least one other student should be. When planning or on a field trip, check
for sex offenders employed by the destination. Ensure adequate chaperones. Assign field trip
―buddies.‖ Away from school, encourage parents to be involved with their children and to monitor
internet use so that the children practice safe surfing.
If a child is reported missing from school:
Call 911 or notify the assigned School Resource Officer.
If appropriate put the school into Lockdown.
Notify parents of child.
Call Director’s Office.
Identify team to work on the crisis while rest of school maintains routine.
Obtain full description and pull out school picture.
Search school building and grounds.
If a kidnapping, try to obtain description of suspect.
When child is found, ensure that Director’s Office, investigating police, child’s
parents and staff are informed. If appropriate, consider informing other school
parents.
Arrange for counseling for staff and students, if necessary.
Call emergency staff meeting to determine how best to prevent such a situation in
the future:
o No student should be released to anyone not currently listed as approved
in ESIS.
o ESIS and ID must be checked of anyone picking up a student – the school
may not know of a recent change to that student’s domestic status.
o Anyone picking up a child must do it in the office.
o Emergency cards of such students should be tagged.
o Before releasing a child to anyone except a parent of guardian on the list,
the school secretary should check with the custodial parent and/or
guardian for approval; a record of the time and date of phone approval
should be made and kept.
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o When parent telephones a request that a child be released from school, the
identity of the caller should be confirmed (by a separate call to the parent
or guardian, if needed) before the child is permitted to leave. In the event
of any doubt, the message and phone number should be written down; a
return call should be made after cross-checking the phone number with
those on file in the child’s folder or on the emergency card. If there is any
doubt, the child must not be released.
Lockdown Events
A lockdown is when all entrances to the school building are locked, no one is permitted entry except law
enforcement first responders, all students and staff are in locked rooms, sitting on the floor away from
windows or doors, and room lights are off. Lockdown shall occur in the event of:
A credible threat of firearm violence on campus
Violent intruder in the building
A shooting in or around the building
Other circumstances where, in the judgment of the school administrator, students
will be safest confined in classrooms.
Staff, students and parents must be prepared in advance for a lockdown. All staff members must know
their roles. That includes substitutes and central office, maintenance, or contractors who may be in the
building. Student must understand that lockdown is serious and they must immediately comply with
orders from staff. Students and staff should understand that unauthorized or indiscriminant use of
cell phones must not happen. If too many people are trying to use phones, it could tie up the cell and
prevent necessary communications between the school and responders. If parents are called, then
responding parents could cause traffic to be blocked, preventing responders from getting to the school;
parents could be in extreme danger from the cause of the lockdown; and parents could be in danger of
arrest, detention or violence from responding police. Parents must understand in advance that if their
child’s school is in lockdown, then the best thing they can do is stay away and do not call the school or
the Administration offices.
The reasons for staying away are outlines above, with the addition that the parent will be unable to get in
the building and no student will be released. They should not call the school because phones must be
kept open to communicate with responders.
Each school should develop a code word to be used if an intruder is in a room. For instance, a school’s
code word might be the staff member’s first name. If in lockdown, the office calls three rooms for
updates. The first room’s teacher says, ―This is Mrs. Jones, my class is fine.‖ The second room has a
custodian in it, but no teacher. He might say, ―This is Mr. Smith, I have seven students in Room 112 with
me and one needs his inhaler for asthma.‖ The intruder is in the third room and has the teacher at
gunpoint. He made her put her green card in the window. She might say, ―This is Mary Brown, my class
is fine.‖ That alerts to the responders that an intruder is in the room and a hostage situation may be
developing.
In an emergency requiring lockdown, these procedures must be followed by staff and students:
Principal or his designee will decide to go into Lockdown – simultaneously, the
following four or five actions shall take place:
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A person designated by the Principal will call 911, and
o tell the dispatcher what the emergency is,
o where in the school the emergency is,
o the school is going into lockdown,
o where the command post is being established,
o and stay on the line for further instructions.
A person designated by the Principal will call Transportation, and
o tell the dispatcher what school is calling,
o who is calling,
o the school is going into lockdown,
o what the emergency is,
o who is in command,
o an available phone number,
o and ask the dispatcher to:
notify buses to not approach the school,
make other notifications
A person designated by the Principal will announce over the P.A. system the
following:
o ―ATTENTION, WE ARE NOW IN LOCKDOWN. ALL STUDENTS
AND STAFF IMMEDIATELY GET IN THE NEAREST OCCUPIED
ROOM. IGNORE ANY BELLS OR ALARMS.‖ - repeat
During the lockdown announcement, an administrator, custodian or security
officer will lock the building entrance.
This step is if an SRO is present at the school – A person designated by the
Principal will call the School Resource Officer on the radio and tell the SRO
o what the emergency is,
o where it is,
o a description, if known, of involved subjects.
Teachers or other persons in charge of a given room:
Stay calm but commanding.
Have students in the room get on the floor away from windows and doors.
Instruct them to stay quiet.
Get any students in the immediate vicinity of the door inside the room – do not
argue or chase after any, your responsibility is to the children in your room.
Lock the door.
Turn off the lights.
Get your room’s Emergency Kit and Plan.
If all in the room are uninjured, place the GREEN card in the door window.
If anyone in the room needs immediate medical attention, place the RED card
in the door window.
Get away from the door and windows with your laptop.
Ensure that no one is using a cell phone, text messages, etc.
Await instructions via the P.A. system or email.
Do not unlock or approach the door for anyone under any circumstances – the
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intruder may be using a ruse to gain entrance to the room.
If contacted by the office or administrators, give them the information they ask
for. Use a preestablished code if the intruder is in the room.
Quietly comfort and reassure the students.
After the incident, Law Enforcement or a school administrator will unlock the
door and direct occupants out – no one should leave the room or open the door
for any other reason.
o Everyone must follow directions which may include keeping hands on the
head or laying on the ground to be searched.
o Law Enforcement may treat everyone as a potential suspect to ensure
everyone’s safety.
These procedures apply to any room in which students can be secured. It will most likely be a
classroom, but could be the auditorium, gym, cafeteria, a store room or other location. It is crucial that
all doors have working locks and that any staff member assigned to that room has the ability to lock it.
Any staff member who has a radio (Security Officer, Custodian, etc.) will join the nearest secure room
and keep the radio clear for emergency traffic. Wait for the command post to call, do not call the
command post unless directed otherwise.
Secured Building
There may be cases where it is impractical or unnecessary to go or stay in lockdown status, yet the school
and its occupants still need to remain secured. Situations where this may be appropriate include:
Non-specific threat of firearms violence in the building,
A series of brawls or continuing minor violence on a particular day,
A report of a fleeing criminal or other police activity near the school,
K-9 searches of the school.
During a secured building status, the halls and open areas are off limits to all students and staff except for
administrative and security personnel and those specifically directed to enter these areas. All entrances
will be closed and locked with entry restricted to administrative and security staff, law enforcement and
emergency services.
Upon an announcement of a secure building status, faculty and staff should
Keep all students in the classroom; allow no one to leave the room.
Close and lock the door.
Close and lock all windows.
Close all shades/blinds except one from which to keep watch.
Be ready to go to lockdown if the situation changes.
Intruder or Trespasser
Each administrator should make every effort to ensure that every person entering or occupying the
school campus or building has a legitimate reason to be on the property, is positively identified, and is
only in an authorized area. Everyone entering the campus or school should be made aware of:
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Code of Va., § 18.2-128. Trespass upon church or school property.
A. It shall be unlawful for any person, without the consent of some person
authorized to give such consent to go or enter upon, in the nighttime, the
premises or property of any church or upon any school property for any
purpose other than to attend a meeting or service held or conducted in
such church or school property.
B. It shall be unlawful for any person, whether or not a student, to enter
upon or remain upon any school property in violation of (i) any direction
to vacate the property by a person authorized to give such direction or (ii)
any posted notice which contains such information posted at a place where
it reasonably may be seen. Each time such person enters upon or remains
on the premises after such direction shall constitute a separate offense.
C. Any person violating the provisions of (i) subsection A shall be guilty
of a Class 3 misdemeanor and (ii) subsection B shall be guilty of a Class 1
misdemeanor. (1994)
All staff should be empowered and encouraged to confront unidentified persons on campus or in the
building and authorized to direct such persons to report to the office to sign in, or leave the property.
Staff should notify administrators and security of any such contact as soon as possible when the person
complies, and immediately when the person does not comply.
Police should be called for any trespasser who refuses to comply or who presents any threat to students
or staff. The principal may consider putting the school into lockdown. In that circumstance, it is
appropriate to give the reason with the lockdown announcement: ―We are now in Lockdown because of
a trespasser in the science hall who refuses to leave. He is a white male in a blue jacket.‖
Trespass with no threat may be dealt with through informing the intruder of the offense being
committed. Positively identify the person and escort them off school property.
Be aware that trespassers who comply or seemed confused about rules may be conducting a probe of the
school’s security measures. Such probes have been conducted in the past by:
Media Burglars
Pedophiles Terrorists
It is important to obtain positive ID and relay the information to the police, even if the person complies
and leaves.
Weapons Threat
If a student or other person makes a threat with or about a weapon (gun, knife or other weapon)
Evacuate the area
o Evaluate the perpetrator
o Isolate
Consider lockdown
Notify law enforcement
Remain calm
o Get help
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o Avoid heroics
o Do not threaten
o Keep a safe, non-intimidating distance
o Avoid abrupt sporadic movements
Look for a place to dive or jump (Adapted from National School Safety Center, 1995)
Hostage Situations/Barricaded Subject
A hostage situation is a person or persons using force or the threat of force to hold someone against his
or her will while demands are made. A hostage taker may want to use the hostage(s) to negotiate
freedom or concessions, for political gain, to commit sexual violence or to stall for more media coverage
of the outcome. Historically, if hostage taking occurs incidental to a criminal act (a robbery gone bad, a
fleeing felon, etc.), there is a higher probability of a safe resolution. If the hostage taking is the reason
for the criminal act (Bailey, Colo. and Nickel Mines, Penn. – 2006; Beslan, Russia – 2004), then it is
likely to result in the deaths of hostages and the hostage taker(s).
All hostage situations are dangerous events.
A hostage taker might be a terrorist, fleeing felon, disgruntled employee (past or
present), employee’s spouse, drug or alcohol abuser, emotionally disturbed
person, trespasser, and on occasion, a parent, student or citizen who is unusually
angry about some situation and decides to resolve it by taking hostages and
making demands to achieve some resolution.
No policy can dictate how a person will respond if taken hostage. Any person
taken hostage must evaluate the situation in its entirety. If negotiations are
ongoing and death or serious bodily injury does not seem imminent, then it might
be best for a hostage to comply with the hostage taker’s directions. If death or
serious bodily injury appears to be imminent, then the hostage may have to decide
to attempt escape, encourage students to escape, attack the hostage taker, or face
that possible death or serious bodily injury.
The dynamics of hostage situations vary greatly and no two incidents will be the
same. Upon notification of a hostage situation within any activity, event, school, or
building under the control of the New Horizons Regional Education Center
Schools, the following procedures should be implemented:
The Principal shall immediately institute lockdown procedures and await further
instructions from the responding police authorities.
The Director of Human Resources, Technology, Facilities, Divisional Community
Relations and Executive Director should respond to the Administration Building
to establish a division command post.
The Security Officer (or designee) will respond to the area of the school to
participate in a unified command post. He will liaise between the police
department and NHREC administration. In addition to keeping the administration
informed of developments, he may relay needs from the scene such as:
o Staff for perimeter management
o Transportation needs for evacuation or perimeter management
o Location for evacuation
o Plant Services issues
o Food/drink issues
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The NHREC spokesperson will coordinate with the Police Department’s Public
Information Officer for all press matters as well as the dissemination of
information to students and parents at the scene.
It is important to remember that it is the philosophy of the Police Department to
end a hostage situation through negotiating tactics. Often it is a lengthy process.
An assault is only used when all indications are that the hostage taker will harm
the hostages and lives will in fact be saved by an assault.
Even if a hostage situation has seemingly ended, police must take time to ensure
that the building is clear of any possible accomplices and/or booby traps. Police
may also need additional time for forensic analysis of any evidence. Only when
the police turn control of the school back over to NHREC can any school or
division staff member have access to the building.
Consideration must be given to the possibility of a hostage situation occurring on a
bus operated by the school divisions. If such an incident occurs, a bus driver must
assume a position of heightened responsibility for the welfare of the students on
the bus as well as his/her own safety. Sound judgment, good decision making,
knowledge of school and police procedures in handling such incidents, and
training are the items that will be of greatest assistance to you should you become
a victim. Students must be made aware of the behavior that will be required of
them so they will be safe and do not inflame an already volatile situation.
The bus driver should accomplish the following tasks if they can be done in a safe manner: Bus drivers
are to follow the procedures of their school divisions. Teachers and staff driving NHREC buses need to
be familiar with the following.
Disable the bus or throw the keys away from the bus. This will eliminate the need
to move the bus and will be helpful to the Police Department who will respond to
the scene as soon as the location has been established.
Evacuate as many students as possible from the bus and order them to move to
out of sight of the bus.
Clear the area of as many students and others as is safely possible.
Notify the school administration of as much information as possible regarding
your situation and location. If allowed to maintain radio/phone contact, do so. All
radio/phone transmissions must be disciplined.
Administration will make the following calls:
Call 911, and
o tell the dispatcher what the emergency is, where the bus is (if known) or
where it should be if the driver was unable to convey enough information,
o stay on the line for further instructions.
Notify all other buses to not approach the area.
Notify the Director’s office.
Notify the security office.
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Employee Victim-Hostage
A situation may arise in which you become a hostage. Other individuals, such as students, employees,
and citizens may become hostages as the same time. Remember that each incident involving hostages is
different. Variables such as hostage takers, hostages, motivation for the act, and location of the incident
make each occurrence unique. Sound judgment, good decision making, knowledge of school and police
procedures in handling such incidents, and training are the items that will be of greatest assistance to you
should you become a victim.
Hostages must remain calm and act in a manner that will preserve their lives and the lives of other
hostages.
If other hostages are students, New Horizons Regional Education Centers personnel have the additional
duties of ensuring that these children are aware of the behavior required of them to stay safe. You must
remain calm and give deliberate instructions to the students.
Initially, you may be the person who is thrust into the role of negotiating with the hostage taker(s).
Always remain calm and request that the situation end by the release of the hostages or the escape of the
hostage takers from the area. In some hostage situations, it has been helpful for hostages to tell the
hostage taker their names and background information. Some say that it helps to humanize the hostages
to the taker and make him less likely to harm them. At all times, remain neutral regarding the reasons
given by the hostage taker(s) for taking this action. Your concern is safety and the release of the
hostages. Further, responses of the hostage taker may be irrational or illogical, depending upon his/her
mental condition and/or the stress of the situation.
Police Department
Be prepared to wait, as the resolution of hostage situations traditionally takes time. Be assured that New
Horizons Regional Education Center and the Police Department are acting on your behalf and are acting
as quickly as possible.
The Police Department Crisis Negotiator will contact the hostage taker and begin
the process of negotiating an end to the situation. If requested to talk to the
negotiator, the New Horizons Regional Education Centers’ employee should do
so. Answer all questions as fully as possible. At this point, the negotiator has the
responsibility to successfully end the situation.
If police conduct a dynamic entry of the room, drop immediately to the floor and
show your hands.
At the conclusion of the situation, you can expect to be treated as a suspect until
your identity is confirmed.
The police will interview you – be as complete and as truthful as possible, no
matter how unpleasant it might be to recount the story.
Mass Casualty Caused by Criminal Actions
In the event of a mass casualty incident caused by criminal actions, the principal shall inform the
Executive Director of the need to request the assistance of the Department of Criminal Justice Services
and the Virginia Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund through the City of Newport News Office of
Emergency Management at 269-2900 or Hampton City Office of Emergency Management 727-1208.
The Executive Director or designee shall inform the principal after such request has made.
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Appendix A.
Samples Statements and
Communication with Parents
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Pre-event Sample Letter Home to Parents and Students
Letter to Parent Regarding Procedures for Picking up Children in a Crisis (To be mailed to parents at the
beginning of each school year)
Dear Parents:
Providing for your student's/child's safety when at school/in our care is a major responsibility of
our staff. All New Horizons Regional Education Centers Schools have a disaster plan. The staff
and I are prepared to make prompt and responsible decisions in any situation that could threaten
the safety of the students.
The need to close a school or center and evacuate the students before the regularly scheduled
closing time could arise from a relatively minor emergency such as a prolonged interruption of
power or from a major event such as fire, tornado, or severe storm. At times, communication
and/or transportation may be disrupted.
In the event of an emergency, information will be disseminated in a number of ways, including:
Broadcast over local radio stations
Broadcast by local television stations
New Horizons web site (www.nhrec.org)
During a critical incident or lockdown situation, no child will be released and no unauthorized
persons will be admitted to the school building. This is for the safety of the children. Attempting
to bypass this policy may subject a parent to law enforcement action and may endanger your
child.
No student will be dismissed from school unless a parent (or individual designated by a parent)
comes for him/her.
No student will be allowed to leave with another person, even a relative or baby sitter, unless we
have written permission to that effect or that particular person is listed on the student's
Emergency Medical Release Form in our files and is able to identify him/herself. Please
complete the attached emergency card and return it as soon as possible. If the information
changes, remember to call the office to request a new card. Everyone attempting to sign out a
child must show positive identification.
All parents or designated persons who come for students must sign out at (complete for your site,
e.g., the office or from the alternate release location which will be established). Signs will be
posted if this alternate location is required.
We are prepared to care for your student in emergency situations. If you are not able to reach the
school/ center, we will care for your student until you or a designated person arrives. We have a
number of staff members with first aid training, and we will be in communication with local
emergency services. We do ask for your help in the following ways:
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Please do not call the school/center. It is essential that telephone lines be kept
open for emergency calls. Please do not try and reach your child by their cell
phone Tying up or overloading the cell could prevent necessary communications
between administrators and responders.
Do turn to the radio and television stations for information.
Do not come to the school. The school access route and street entrance areas must
remain clear for emergency vehicles and/or may be blocked by debris. Coming to
the school may put you or your child at risk.
During the school year your child will be trained in the necessary emergency procedures. She/he
will learn how to react, where to assemble, and what to expect in an emergency situation.
We suggest that you have the members of your household practice response to emergency
situations and that you maintain emergency supplies. There are several good publications
available to assist you in these preparations. The Department of Homeland Security website,
www.ready.gov contains good information about preparing and reacting to an emergency.
If you have any questions or comments about our emergency preparations, please call the office
at ____.
Very truly yours,
Principal
Post-event Sample Letters Home to Parents and Students
Notice of Bus Accident
Dear Parents,
This morning, prior to school, there was an accident involving a school bus and an automobile.
There were known injuries to the passengers of the car. The children on Bus #___ witnessed the
aftermath of the accident but were not involved in it.
The children from the bus involved in the accident were taken to the library by the guidance
counselors and administration. The children were asked if they were injured in any way and
their parents were then contacted. Your child, because of being on Bus #___ may show delayed
reaction to the accident. Please be alert over the next several days to symptoms of delayed
reaction, including:
A desire to be alone, Crying,
Loss of appetite, Angry outbursts, short temper,
Problems with sleeping, nightmares, Headaches, upset stomach,
Depressed, sad, unusually quiet
Difficulty with concentration,
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Your child may also exhibit some physical complaints. Please contact (principal’s name) to fill
out an accident report. The school will be offering support services for students needing help
dealing with the accident. We will also provide counseling services to parents in helping their
children to cope. Please do not hesitate to call if you have any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Principal of School
Tips for Parents to Help Create Safe Schools
Parents can help create safe schools. Here are some ideas that parents have used:
Discuss the school's discipline policy with your child. Show your support for the
rules, and help your child understand the reasons for them.
Involve your child in setting rules for appropriate behavior at home.
Talk with your child about the violence he or she sees--on television, in video
games, and possibly in the neighborhood. Help your child understand the
consequences of violence.
Teach your child how to solve problems. Praise your child when he or she follows
through.
Help your child find ways to show anger that do not involve verbally or
physically hurting others. When you get angry, use it as an opportunity to model
these appropriate responses for your child-and talk about it.
Help your child understand the value of accepting individual differences.
Note any disturbing behaviors in your child. For example, frequent angry
outbursts, excessive fighting and bullying of other children, cruelty to animals,
fire setting, and frequent behavior problems at school and in the neighborhood,
lack of friends, and alcohol or drug use can be signs of serious problems. Get help
for your child. Talk with a trusted professional in your child's school or in the
community.
Keep lines of communication open with your child--even when it is tough.
Encourage your child always to let you know where and with whom he or she will
be. Get to know your child's friends and the friends’ families
Listen to your child if he or she shares concerns about friends who may be
exhibiting troubling behaviors. Share this information with a trusted professional,
such as the school psychologist, principal, or teacher.
Be involved in your child's school life by supporting and reviewing homework,
talking with his or her teacher(s), and attending school functions such as parent
conferences, class programs, and open houses.
Work with your child's school to make it more responsive to all students and to all
families. Share your ideas about how the school can encourage family
involvement, welcome all families, and include them in meaningful ways in their
children's education.
Volunteer to work with school-based and community groups concerned with
violence prevention.
Talk with the parents of your child's friends. Discuss how you can form a team to
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ensure your children's safety.
Find out if your employer offers provisions for parents to participate in school
activities.
Make sure your child understands that reporting a friend who may be planning to
harm himself or someone else is not the same as snitching or tattling. It is
protecting the friend from getting into something that he may not be able to
handle. Give your child the number to the NNPS Student Crime Line (591-3800)
to anonymously report threatened violence at school.
Student Tactics for Safe Schools
There is much students can do to help create safe schools. Talk to your teachers, parents, and counselor
to find out how you can get involved and do your part to make your school safe. Here are some ideas
that students have used successfully:
Listen to your friends if they share troubling feelings or thoughts. Encourage them
to get help from a trusted adult-such as a school psychologist, counselor, social
worker, leader from the faith community, or other professional. If you are very
concerned, seek help for them. Share your concerns with your parents.
Create, join, or support student organizations that combat violence, such as
―Students against Destructive Decisions‖ and ―Young Heroes Program.‖
Work with local businesses and community groups to organize activities that help
young people think of ways to prevent school and community violence. Share
ideas for how these community groups and businesses can support your efforts.
Organize an assembly and invite your school psychologist, school social worker,
and counselor--in addition to student panelists--to share ideas about how to deal
with violence, intimidation, and bullying.
Get involved in your school's violence prevention and response plan
Participate in violence prevention programs such as peer mediation and conflict
resolution. Employ your new skills in other settings, such as the home,
neighborhood, and community.
Work with your teachers and administrators to create a safe process for reporting
threats, intimidation, weapon possession, drug selling, gang activity, graffiti, and
vandalism. Use the process.
Ask for permission to invite a law enforcement officer to your school to conduct a
safety audit and share safety tips, such as traveling in groups and avoiding areas
known to be unsafe. Share your ideas with the officer.
Help to develop and participate in activities that promote student understanding of
differences and that respect the rights of all.
Volunteer to be a mentor for younger students and/or provide tutoring to your
peers
Know your school's code of conduct and model responsible behavior. Avoid
being part of a crowd when fights break out. Refrain from teasing, bullying, and
intimidating peers.
Be a role model — take personal responsibility by reacting to anger without
physically or verbally harming others.
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Seek help from your parents or a trusted adult — such as a school psychologist,
social worker, counselor, teacher — if you are experiencing intense feelings of
anger, fear, anxiety, or depression.
Know and use the NNPS Student Crime Line to anonymously report potential acts
of violence at school (591-3800).
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Appendix B
Planning Surveys and Checklists
83
Staff Skills & Information Inventory (To be conducted annually)
Name: _______________________________________ Room # _______ Position:_________________________ Address ____________________________________________ City ____________ VA Zip __________________ Home phone # ______________________ Cell Phone # _________________ Home email __________________ Can you receive email on your cell phone - _______ Can You receive a text massage on your cell phone _______ Emergency Contact for yourself ___________________________ number ______________________________
Please check any of the following in which you have current certifications and / or licenses: (ATTACH Copies) _____ CPR & AED _____ First Aid _____search & Rescue _____ EMT/ EMTP _____ Fire Fighting _____START Triage _____ NIMS for schools _____Emergency Mgt. _____ CISD (Critical Incident Stress Debriefing) _____ Nurse (RN) list your specialty _______________ _____ Mass casualty I & II _____ Other _________________________________ Foreign or Sign Language ____ What language______________________ could you act as an interpreter? _____ Other (Specify) _______________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ Special Needs – Do you have any special needs (explain)________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CLASSROOM Emergency Check ______ Fire & Evacuation Plan current and posted
______ First Aid Kit (gloves, Band-Aids, gauze)
______ MSDS book and ERG book – current and copies in front office
______ Fire Extinguisher
______ Emergency shut off (electric, gas etc as indicated)
______ Life Safety signs posted as needed
______ Flash light and batteries
______ Locks to secure room all working
______ window cover intact and working
______ Room secure signs on back of door
______ Other _________________________________
______ Other _________________________________
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Staff Skills & Information Inventory
November 2008
Speak
Name Position Home Phone Cell Phone IM Home Email Cell Special CPR First Aid Search/ EMT/ Fire START NIMS for Emer. CISD Nurse RN Mass O ther Foreign
Email Needs & AED Rescue EMTP Fighting Triage Schools Mgt. (RN) Speciality Casualty I & II Language
Administration:
Clark, Sammy L Facilities Supv. 757-723-0200 n/a n/a
Haislip, Jennifer Admin. Secretary 757-596-1709 757-870-1942 Y [email protected] N
Johnson, Joseph Executive Director 757-810-0883 757-810-0883 Y [email protected] Y
Jones, Nancy Finance 757-249-3661 n/a n/a
Jordan, Dedra Human Res. Dir. 757-405-3783 757-406-4571 Y n/a N Y
Lanford, Cheryl Secretary 757-357-1725 757-817-6553 N n/a N wheelchair
Mongold, Gail Registrar 804-693-4968 804-832-8254 Y [email protected] N Spanish
Ragland, Don Finance Director 757-596-1030 757-641-4188 N [email protected] N
Tarr, Theresa H. Finance 804-694-0589 804-815-5062 Y [email protected] N
Career & Techinical -
Butler Farm Campus:
Burton, Ray Carpentry Instr Needs Sheet
Chapman, Gerald (Lee) HVAC 757-599-3277 757-570-1749 Y Y HVAC
Cooke, Penny Early Childhood Ed. 757-887-9266 757-345-1715 Y [email protected] N
Creamer, Dave Principal Needs Sheet
Delp, Ruth Secretary 757-599-9841 757-879-1859 N [email protected] N
Dement, Sharon Instructional Asst. 757-851-0901 757-218-6856 y [email protected] N Y-CPR
Duncan, Archie Criminal Justice 757-461-2903 757-681-2615 Y [email protected] N Y Y Y Law Enfor.
Dupree, Ed Welding Instr. 757-867-8294 757-719-5077 N [email protected] N
Fletcher, Cherie Nursing Asst. Instr. 757-887-8549 757-660-4384 N [email protected] N Y Y Y geriatrics
Gabany, Michael Fire Science Instr. 804-642-7597 757-880-0213 y [email protected] N Y Y Y Y Y
Gabany, Roxann EMT Instr. 804-642-7597 757-880-4376 Y [email protected] N Y Y Y Y Y Y ED/trauma Y
Harris, Gregg Computer Network 757-766-2534 757-660-8480 Y Y
Hernandez, Ed Auto Body Instr. n/a 757-846-0906 Y n/a N
Kincaid, Mary Preschool Teacher 757-868-5297 757-725-1503 Y [email protected] N Y
Lee, Carmelle ParaProfessional 757-369-8229 757-469-2685 Y-CPR Y *QMHP
McHugh, Deborah C&T Specialist 757-875-0046 n/a n/a [email protected] n/a
Parker, Darryl Auto Tech II Instr. 757-233-6641 757-201-0669 Y [email protected] N Spanish
Russo, Brooke LPN Instructor 757-851-2364 757-342-7756 Y [email protected] Y Y Y Y med surg.
Schaffer, Bruce Asst. Principal 757-595-0034 757-880-3506 Y [email protected] N
Servais, Vickie Cosmetology I 757-825-0996 757-344-2253 N [email protected] N
Smith, Anthony Auto Tech I Instr. 757-673-3122 757-676-2949 Y [email protected] N
Sprock, Greg Mach Tech Instr. 757-591-2108 n/a n/a [email protected] n/a Spanish
Sykes, Michelle Cosmetology II 804-693-4149 757-329-4735 Y N
Talmage, Joanne Electronics Instr. 757-865-3242 757-329-0648 N n/a N Fiber Optics Portuguese
Wornom, Jill Secretary 757-851-7534 757-810-5010 N [email protected] N
Young, Dennis Auto Tech I Instr. 757-474-0714 n/a n/a [email protected] n/a
Career & Techinical -
Woodside Lane Campus:
Governor's School - Butler Farm
Cezzar, Ruknet P/T Teacher 757-850-3494 646-752-3311 Y [email protected] Y Turkish
Chandrasekhar, Dawn Biology Teacher 757-345-2516 757-879-7528 N [email protected] N
Chapman, Ann Teacher 757-827-7670 757-817-1025 N n/a N
Chinnabhandar, Sridhar Comp Sci Instr 757-553-7494 757-553-7494 Y [email protected] N
Clarke, Jennifer Chemistry Teacher 757-868-7569 n/a N n/a N
Feygelson, Rimma Teacher 757-223-4948 757-344-9224 N [email protected] N Russian
Fritz, Alicia Honors Res. & Men. 757-327-0926 757-344-2685 Y [email protected] Y
Louis, Naomi Precalculus Teacher 757-872-6565 757-831-0374 Y [email protected] Y
Moffatt , David Physics II Teacher n/a 434-414-4349 Y [email protected] N
Mulvey, Margaret Teacher 757-886-0289 757-876-7495 N [email protected] N
Munyaradzi, Justice Research Teacher 757-369-8861 757-968-0511 Y [email protected] Y Spanish
Purman, Richard Physics Lab Teacher 757-827-0575 n/a n/a n/a n/a
Wismer, Vikki Director Needs Sheet
Adult Education - Butler Farm
Bullock, Betty Admin. Assistant 757-596-3030 757-869-2226 Y [email protected] Y
Logan, Linda Admin. Assistant Y [email protected]
Taylor, David Director, CFAAT 757-887-5850 757-876-7940 Y [email protected] Y
Youth Workforce - Butler Farm
Magnotta, Jim Youth Wkforce Mgr 757-867-8880 757-329-8880 [email protected] N
Health Education - Butler Farm
Gillis, Denese Coordinator 757-827-9119 757-827-9119 Y [email protected] N Y Y psychology
Phillips, Beatrice Teacher 757-833-0299 757-876-5410 Y [email protected] Y Y Y Y
Spencer, Marcine Secretary 757-877-1233 757-947-4466 Y n/a
*QMHP = Qualified Mental Health Professional
Current Certification and/or licenses:
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INSERT NHREC INCIDENT REPORT on this page
86
Post Event Report/Response Critique
School: ________________________________________________
Description of incident (include date, time, place):
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Immediate actions by Crisis Response Team:
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Assistance provided by Emergency Services:
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Assistance provided by other community agencies/organizations:
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Follow-up that has occurred/is occurring:
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
With students:
______________________________________________________________________________
With faculty/staff:
______________________________________________________________________________
With parent(s)/guardian(s) of student(s) involved:
______________________________________________________________________________
With community:
______________________________________________________________________________
Recommendations to improve responses to such crises in the future:
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________ _________________
Principal Signature Date
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Designation of Assignments/Activity Locations
Incident _____________________________________ time began ___________
Comments:_________________________________________________________
Assignment Title/Name Operations Site(s) Decision Making/Control 1. Principal Main Office ____________________________
2. Ass't Principal ____________________________
Crisis Team 1. Coordinator ____________________________
2. Substitute Coord. ____________________________
Communications/Notification 1. ______________________ Main Office
2._____________________ __ ____________________________
Evacuation and Sheltering 1. ______________________ ____________________________
2. ______________________ ____________________________
Student Accounting and Release 1. ______________________ ____________________________
2.______________________ ____________________________
Building Safety/Security 1. ______________________ Main Office
2. ______________________ ___________________________
Information (Telephone and 1. ______________________ ___________________________
"Walk-Ins") 2. ______________________ ____________________________
Family Contact/Visitation 1. ______________________ ____________________________
2. ______________________ ____________________________
Coordinate assistance for 1. ______________________ ____________________________
emergency/medical response 2. ______________________ ____________________________
Support counseling for 1. ______________________ ____________________________
staff/students 2. ______________________ ____________________________
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Appendix C:
Suggested School-based Training
and Drills to Maintain Preparedness
89
Sample Agenda for In-Service Training or Staff Meetings
1) Introductory background on development of School Crisis and Emergency
Management Plan
2) School Crisis and Emergency Management Plan
a) Purpose of Plan & Overview
b) Overview of Incident command in schools
c) General review of roles and responsibilities
3) Typical impacts of crises
a) Shock; stages of grief
b) Restoring equilibrium & maintaining control
i) Importance of first 48 hrs
ii) Post incident
4) Critical incident management
a) Definitions and examples of ―critical incidents‖
b) Coordination with emergency services
5) Communications
a) Confidentiality
b) Rumor-control within the school
c) Communication outside school
i) With media
ii) With parents and community groups
d) Radio – expectations
e) Cell phone use
6) Dealing with specific types of crises
a) Review of general procedures in the case of the expected death of a student or
faculty member.
b) Review of general procedures in the case of staff or student death
c) Review of general procedures in the case of a suicide
d) Review of general procedures in the case of a medical emergency
e) Review of general procedures in a case of armed intruder in the school
f) Review of general procedures in case of natural disaster
g) Additional incidents/scenario appropriate to the school
7) Closing discussion and questions
Scenario Ideas for Training Sessions For each scenario identify key issues and formulate a preliminary
action plan.
Scenario I A seventeen year old boy is waiting for his parents to pick him up for an early dismissal, when a car
swerves around the busses and hits another student. He witnesses it. The child, seriously injured, is taken
to the hospital by paramedics. Students are scheduled to be dismissed in 15 minutes.
Scenario II An automotive student with three friends riding is headed home after school when they are involved in a
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head on collision. They are speeding and it has started to rain. They hit a van and three of the four are
killed. The fourth person is in critical condition.
Scenario III A parent who has brought her child to school reports to the office that a house in the neighborhood caught
fire early that morning and there were fatalities but she does not know who. The house is that of two
students at the school.
Scenario IV It is a rainy Tuesday morning and, nearby, a truck has overturned releasing toxic fumes. The Fire
Department has just ordered that your 350-students be evacuated immediately. The accident is on 64 and
the school is down wind.
Scenario V You hear on the 11p.m. news on a Sunday night that an 11th grade girl at your school is reported
missing; she was not home when parents came home from a weekend trip. Minutes after the broadcast a
staff member calls and reports that there are rumors that foul play is suspected.
Scenario VI
At 5:30a.m., you are notified by police that a very popular teacher at your school committed suicide,
leaving behind a husband and two children, one of whom attends your school.
Scenario VII You are in your shop area when you hear a student cry out. Other students are yelling for you. When you
arrive at the group you see a student who is profusely bleeding from 3 inch laceration on his head.
Scenario VIII You have just received information that there is a tornado warning for the area in which your school is
located. Using your schools floor plan designate the sheltering locations for your class.
Scenario IX
You are teaching in the classroom when you hear an announcement for lock down. How have you
prepared your students and what steps do you now take.
Planning Steps for Table Top Drills
1) Utilize a paper and pencil activity where the crisis team is presented with five possible
crisis situations and each team member records their hypothetical response.
2) Team members discuss their anticipated responses and select one scenario to simulate
each semester with precautions taken to not unduly alarm staff and students.
3) It is important to inform the public of the need for crisis planning and the conduction
of drills.
4) Avoid the use of dramatic props such as starter pistols and simulated blood.
5) Place a sign in the area where drills are to be conducted clearly designating that a drill
is taking place and let all relevant agencies know in advance that it is a drill.
91
6) Practice drills that do involve moving staff and students to a safe location.
7) An objective staff member from another building of the central office should observe
the drill and give feedback to the crisis team.
8) The crisis team should meet and review their activities with the emphasis placed on
continual improvement.
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Appendix D:
Informational Handouts
93
Suggested Classroom Activities after a Loss
Supporting Others
Discussing and preparing for funeral (what to expect, people’s reactions, what to
do, what to say)
Encouraging mutual support
Discussing ways to cope with traumatic situations
Discussing the stages of grief
Encouraging students to keep a journal of events and of their reactions, especially
in an ongoing situation
Learning Activities
Writing a reaction paper
Discussing historical precedents about issues related to crisis situations
Writing a ―where I was when it happened‖ report
Investigating laws governing similar incidents
Debating controversial issues
Reading books about loss
Classroom Discussion
Review the facts (with survivors’ approval) and dispel rumors.
Share your own reactions with the class and encourage students to express their
reactions in a way appropriate for them, noting that people react in many ways
and that is okay.
o Possible discussion: What was it like for you when you first heard the news?
Inform students of locations for grief support; reassure students that any adult in
the building is available for support.
o Possible discussion: How can you students help each other through this?
Listen to what students have to say. It is important not to shut off discussion.
Talk with students about their concerns regarding ―what to say‖ to other bereaved
students and the family of the deceased. If applicable, share information about the
deceased’s culture (beliefs and ceremonies) which will help students understand
and respond comfortably to the affected family.
o Possible discussion question: If you were a member of the deceased’s family,
what do you think you would want at a time like this?
If the student died of an illness and it is appropriate to do so, discuss the illness.
This is especially useful for younger children who may need to differentiate
between the illness of the child who died and any medical problems of others the
child knows.
If a suicide occurs, discuss facts and myths about suicide.
Allow students to discuss other losses they have experienced. Help them
understand this loss often brings up past losses; this is a normal occurrence.
Encourage students to discuss their feelings with their parents.
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Keep in Mind, a ―regular‖ day may be too hard for grieving students. Offer
choices of activities.
Helping Your Child after a Disaster
Children may be especially upset and express feelings about the disaster. These reactions
are normal and usually will not last long. Listed below are some problems you may see in
your child:
Excessive fear of darkness, separation, or being alone,
Clinging to parents, fear of strangers,
Worry,
Increase in immature behaviors,
Not wanting to go to school,
Changes in eating/sleeping behaviors,
Increase in either aggressive behavior or shyness,
Bed wetting or thumb sucking,
Persistent nightmares, and/or
Headaches or other physical complaints.
The following may help your child:
Talk with your child about his/her feelings about the disaster. Share your feelings,
too.
Talk about what happened. Give your child information he/she can understand.
Reassure your child that you are safe and together. You may need to repeat this
reassurance often.
Hold and touch your child often.
Spend extra time with your child at bedtime.
Allow your child to mourn or grieve over a lost toy, a lost blanket, a lost home.
If you feel your child is having problems at school, talk to his/her teacher so you
can work together to help your child.
Please reread this sheet from time to time in the coming months. Usually a child’s
emotional response to a disaster will not last long, but some problems may be present or
recur for many months afterward. Professionals skilled in talking with people
experiencing disaster-related problems staff your community mental health center. They
can be a valuable resource for continuing problems
95
Appendix E: Resources
96
The resources listed below are intended to assist schools and communities in developing and enhancing
school crisis and emergency management plans. The list is not exhaustive, nor is inclusion intended as
an endorsement.
Federal Resources
FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency)
www.fema.gov
U. S. Department of Education, Safe and Drug-Free Schools Program
www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osdfs/index.html
National Criminal Justice Reference Service (NCJRS)
www.ncjrs.gov
Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS)
www.cops.usdoj.gov
Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP)
www.ojjdp.ncjrs.org
Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS)
www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov
Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP)
www.prevention.samhsa.gov
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
www.cdc.gov
Division of Adolescent and School Heath (DASH)
www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dash
Division of Violence Prevention
www.cdc.gov/ncipc/dvp/dvp.htm
National Institute of Mental Health
http://www.nimh.nih.gov
National Incident management system
Homeland security
http://www.dhs.gov
National Organizations
Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence
University of Colorado at Boulder
97
Campus Box 442, Boulder, CO 80309-0442
(303) 492-1032
www.colorado.edu/cspv
Community Policing Consortium
1726 M Street N W
Washington, DC 20036
Publications - 1-800-421-6770
www.communitypolicing.org
National Association of Elementary School Principals
1615 Duke Street
Alexandria, VA 22314-3483
(703) 684-3345
www.naesp.org
National Association of Secondary School Principals
1904 Association Drive
Reston, VA 22091
(703) 860-0200
www.nassp.org
National PTA
330 North Wabash Avenue, Suite 2100
Chicago, IL 60611-3690
1-800- 4PTA
www.pta.org
National Law-Related Education Resource Center
www.abanet.org/publiced/resources/home.html
National Safety Council
www.nsc.org
National School Safety Center
www.schoolsafety.us
National Youth Gang Center
www.iir.com/nygc
Partnerships against Violence Network (PAVNET)
www.pavnet.org
Virginia Resources
Center for School-Community Collaboration, Virginia Commonwealth University
98
www.soe.vcu.edu/csc
Virginia Department of Education
www.pen.k12.va.us
Virginia Department of Emergency Management
www.vdem.state.va.us
Virginia Effective Practices Project
http://web.jmu.edu/osar/OutreachHistory_instruction.asp
Virginia State Police
www.vsp.state.va.us
Virginia Youth Violence Project
www.youthviolence.edschool.virginia.edu
Online Documents
Bullying Prevention Kit
http://www. jmu.edu/cisat/vepp
Combating Fear and Restoring Safety in Schools
http://www.ncjrs.org/jjvict.htm
Conflict Resolution Education: A Guide to Implementing Programs in Schools, Youth-
Serving Organizations, and Community and Juvenile Justice Settings
www.ncjrs.org/jjdp
Creating Safe and Drug-Free Schools: An Action Guide
http://www.ed.gov/offices/OESE/SDFS/actguid/index
Early Warning, Timely Response: A Guide to Safe Schools
http://www.ed.gov/offices/OSERS/OSEP/earlywrn
Manual to Combat Truancy
http://www.ed.gov/pubs/Truancy
Preventing Crime: What Works, What Doesn’t, What’s Promising
www.ncjrs.org
Safe and Smart: Making the After-School Hours Work for Kids
www.ed.gov/pubs/SafeandSmart
99
Appendix F:
Transportation Information
100
School related bus wreck procedure and guidelines:
Accident/Incident response is crucial that appropriate Transportation personnel receive immediate
notification of accidents so that responses can be made in the timeliest manner. Notification of your
immediate supervisor or School Principal must be done immediately.
In the event of a school bus accident, the following is a list of responsibilities for Pupil Transportation
personnel.
Bus Driver Response:
1. Remain calm. Radio Pupil Transportation Dispatch that you have had an
Accident. Indicate location, loaded or unloaded, the school students attend, and any
injuries.
2. DO NOT MOVE THE BUS FROM THE ACCIDENT LOCATION, unless
instructed to do so by the police or a supervisor. Do not transfer any students to
another bus or release to anyone until directed by the Principal or Police at the scene.
3. Attend to the injured (most serious first)
4. If necessary, evacuate the bus.
5. Compile a list of students on the bus.
6. Bus drivers shall not make any comment until directed to by the Principal
(Absolutely no statements to anyone.)
Staff Response:
On notification from Bus Driver, the transportation representative will report directly to the location of
the accident/incident.
A. Before arrival at the scene:
1. Determine if the bus has passengers or not.
2. Determine if there are any injuries.
3. Notify the police and/or ambulance, if necessary
4. Have the driver prepare a list of all students on the bus and their conditions.
5. Have Driver contact the school with the student list. The school office will
notify parents as needed, and send a representative to the scene if there
appears to be students with injuries.
6. Contact the Insurance Carrier.
7. Place emergency warning triangles within 10 minutes. On two lane roads
place a triangle at prescribed distances of 100 feet behind the bus. On a one
way or divided highway place triangles at 10 feet, 100 feet, and 200 feet
behind the bus.
B. Upon arrival at the scene:
1. Tend to driver and student needs.
2. Secure the scene making sure warning triangles are placed.
3. Assist emergency personnel to verify status of every student.
4. Arrange a recovery vehicle or additional bus as needed to minimize delay of
uninjured students. Release only after medical check.
5. Release only to their parents
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6. Collect the other driver and students’ information.
7. Take pictures and investigate for cause.
8. A Supervisor must go to the hospital if anyone is injured and transported for
treatment.
9. Contact the shop, give status of vehicle. Dispatch a wrecker if needed.
C. Post Accident:
1. Immediately transport the driver for mandatory drug screen unless otherwise
directed by the Transportation Director.
2. The bus route should be completed by a sub-driver if available.
3. The driver must provide a written statement of the events as soon as possible.
4. Prepare written reports for insurance.
5. Have the driver complete the Report of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses
form NNPS 416-A so that it is completed in the event medical attention is
needed. This form is required for coverage under the Virginia Worker’s
Compensation Act.
School Safety Audits § 22.1-279.8. School safety audits and school crisis, emergency management, and medical
emergency response plans required documentation and review
A. For the purposes of this section, unless the context requires otherwise:
"School crisis, emergency management, and medical emergency response plan" means the essential
procedures, operations, and assignments required to prevent, manage, and respond to a critical event
or emergency, including natural disasters involving fire, flood, tornadoes, or other severe weather;
loss or disruption of power, water, communications or shelter; bus or other accidents; medical
emergencies, including cardiac arrest and other life-threatening medical emergencies; student or staff
member deaths; explosions; bomb threats; gun, knife or other weapons threats; spills or exposures to
hazardous substances; the presence of unauthorized persons or trespassers; the loss, disappearance or
kidnapping of a student; hostage situations; violence on school property or at school activities;
incidents involving acts of terrorism; and other incidents posing a serious threat of harm to students,
personnel, or facilities. "School safety audit" means a written assessment of the safety conditions in
each public school to (i) identify and, if necessary, develop solutions for physical safety concerns,
including building security issues and (ii) identify and evaluate any patterns of student safety
concerns occurring on school property or at school-sponsored events. Solutions and responses shall
include recommendations for structural adjustments, changes in school safety procedures, and
revisions to the school board's standards for student conduct.
B. The Virginia Center for School Safety shall develop a list of items to be reviewed and
evaluated in the school safety audits required by this section. Such items shall include those incidents
reported to school authorities pursuant to § 22.1-279.3:1. The Virginia Center for School Safety shall
prescribe a standardized report format for school safety audits, additional reporting criteria, and
procedures for report submission, which may include instructions for electronic submission.
Each local school board shall require all schools under its supervisory control to annually
conduct school safety audits as defined in this section and consistent with such list. The results of
such school safety audits shall be made public within 90 days of completion. The local school board
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shall retain authority to withhold or limit the release of any security plans and specific vulnerability
assessment components as provided in subdivision 7 of § 2.2-3705.2. Each school shall maintain a
copy of the school safety audit which may exclude such security plans and vulnerability assessment
components, within the office of the school principal and shall make a copy of such report available
for review upon written request. Each school shall submit a copy of its school safety audit to the
relevant school division superintendent. The division superintendent shall collate and submit all such
school safety audits, in the prescribed format and manner of submission, to the Virginia Center for
School Safety.
C. The school board may establish a school safety audit committee to consist of representatives
of parents, teachers, local law-enforcement agencies, judicial and public safety personnel, and the
community at large. The school safety audit committee shall evaluate, in accordance with the
directions of the local school board, the safety of each school and submit a plan for improving school
safety at a public meeting of the local school board.
D. Each school board shall ensure that every school that it supervises shall develop a written
school crisis, emergency management, and medical emergency response plan, consistent with the
definition provided in this section. The Department of Education and the Virginia Center for School
Safety shall provide technical assistance to the school divisions of the Commonwealth in the
development of the school crisis, emergency management, and medical emergency response plans
that describe the components of a medical emergency response plan developed in coordination with
local emergency medical services providers, the training of school personnel and students to respond
to a life-threatening emergency, and the equipment required for this emergency response. The local
school board shall annually review the written school crisis, emergency management, and medical
emergency response plans. The local school board shall have the authority to withhold or limit the
review of any security plans and specific vulnerability assessment components as provided in
subdivision 7 of § 2.2-3705.2. The local school division superintendent shall certify this review in
writing to the Virginia Center on School Safety no later than August 31 of each year.
Upon consultation with local school boards, division superintendents, the Virginia Center for
School Safety, and the Coordinator of Emergency Management, the Board of Education shall
develop, and may revise as it deems necessary, a model school crisis, emergency management, and
medical emergency response plan for the purpose of assisting the public schools in Virginia in
developing viable, effective crisis, emergency management, and medical emergency response plans.
Such model shall set forth recommended effective procedures and means by which parents can
contact the relevant school or school division regarding the location and safety of their school
children and by which school officials may contact parents, with parental approval, during a critical
event or emergency.
Campus Crisis Plan Table of Contents The principal of each school campus is required to produce and maintain a school crisis plan that
outlines that school’s specific responses to the crises specified in §22.1-279.8 as well as: lockdown,
secured building, after-hours alarm response, community sheltering operations (schools specified on
page 41) and radiological emergencies (schools specified on pages 51 and 52). The plan will also
include the planning surveys and checklists listed in Appendix B and necessary staff training. The plan
should include any school-specific threats or hazards. All school plans must be in compliance with the
Multi-Hazard Crisis and Emergency Management Plan (CEMP). All building administrators and others
who may be ―in charge‖ during a crisis must be familiar with the school crisis plan and their duties
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during times of crisis. The needs of teachers and other faculty and staff will be met by the Classroom
Crisis Response and training. There is no need to make the school crisis plan or the CEMP available to
all staff.
Each school’s crisis plan will use this table of contents as a template:
1. Chain of command and alternates
2. Contact information
3. School floor plan
4. Designation of assignments/activity locations
5. Summary of staff skills surveys
6. Staff and students with special needs
7. School-specific responses
a. fire,
b. flood,
c. tornadoes,
d. other severe weather;
e. loss or disruption of
i. power,
ii. water,
iii. communications
iv. shelter;
f. bus or other accidents;
g. medical emergencies,
i. cardiac arrest,
ii. other life-threatening medical emergencies,
h. student or staff member deaths;
i. explosions;
j. threats;
i. bomb,
ii. gun,
iii. knife,
iv. other weapons,
k. spills or exposures to hazardous substances;
l. the presence of unauthorized persons or trespassers;
m. the loss, disappearance or kidnapping of a student;
n. hostage situations;
o. violence on school property;
p. violence at school activities;
q. acts of terrorism;
r. lockdown;
s. secured building;
t. after hours alarm response;
u. community sheltering operations; (if applicable)
v. radiological emergency risk school; (if applicable)
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w. radiological emergency host school; (if applicable)
8. Staff training plan
9. Staff training documentation
10. Other school-specific needs
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Appendix G:
Homeland Security