School Safety Plans and Resources: Response

Some emergencies cannot be prevented. In those cases the second component of an integrated school safety plan, site emergency response and district emergency operations plans are necessary to insure an effective response. With an emergency response plan in place, schools will minimize the impact of an emergency or disaster. All involved response agencies should coordinate and preplan their response activities. This will minimize confusion and enhance the response.

The Arizona Department of Education continues to take proactive measures to help schools protect their students and staff members. School districts plans should be made in concert with all other local emergency preparedness plans. All school sites are required to have emergency response plans developed in conjunction with local law enforcement and hospitals. The plans must be designed with the help of school security staff members, as well as local law enforcement, emergency management, and public health officials. Plans shall be reviewed at least annually and updated. These plans shall meet the Arizona School Emergency Response Plan, Minimum Requirements. (ARS 15-341 (A) 34) The actions taken during any type of emergency situation depend a great deal on the specifics of the incident. For example, one School administrators have a variety of "tools" to use and require training on how to work with each of these. The ability to remain flexible is a key component of each school's plan and of statewide preparations. Additionally, schools would follow direction from public safety officials. If you have questions about your school's emergency response plan, contact your principal. The department continues to work to make all our schools safe and secure environments for our students, staff and communities.

The Planning Process

It is important to recognize that the planning process takes time and is ongoing. There are many things to consider when developing a school emergency response plan. Ask for assistance from local public safety and emergency management agencies as well as community groups and parents to help. The two-day Multi Hazard Safety Program for Schools course will provide participants with the basic information and tools to implement an emergency response plan. The six basic steps of the planning process are:

Assemble a safety team

The team should at least include administrators, parents, teachers, maintenance, transportation, food service, and nursing personnel from within the district. Outside agencies that should be involved include law enforcement, fire, hospital, and emergency management personnel.

Develop procedures to respond to hazards

Develop written procedures on how to respond to the hazards identified in step 2 that cannot be eliminated.

Conduct hazard analysis of site and surrounding area

Identify what hazards are likely to affect the area in and around your school. Determine the severity of impact of each identified hazard. Local emergency management personnel can assist with this assessment.

Train students and staff

Students and staff must be trained how to use the plan and what their responsibilities will be in a given response.

Eliminate or mitigate hazards

Determine if you can eliminate or mitigate any of the hazards you identify in step 2.

Conduct drills and exercises

Drills and exercises are conducted to test the plan. All participants should be debriefed at the conclusion of each drill. The feedback provided by participants is used to identify strengths and weaknesses in the plan. The plan is then modified to strengthen any weaknesses.

Emergency Planning Questionnaire and Response Supplies Checklist

Resources

The documents below provide tools and resources to assist safety teams develop and implement or strengthen the emergency response plan. The sample plan includes procedures to respond to a terrorist or radiological event as well as a variety of emergencies that are common to Arizona schools. The Arizona School Emergency Response Plan Minimum and Recommended Requirements will help you insure that your plan meets state standards. The Guidelines, Checklists and Sample Forms sections will help you refine your plan. The Classroom Emergency Procedures Guide is a quick reference flip chart of the emergency procedures to be placed in each classroom. The Other Agencies section provides contact information for local resources to assist in plan development. You may edit the forms in Microsoft Word format to meet the needs of your school.

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