Need an emergency preparedness and crisis response plan?

  An emergency preparedness and crisis response plan is a written set of guidelines to help schools prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies and crises. The goal of this work is making safety and a secure orderly environment for learning a part of the daily school routine. As such, the plan not only details action to help schools prepare for and respond to emergencies and crises, but also emphasizes prevention by instilling a culture of respect and addressing all potential hazards and vulnerabilities that may face a school community.

The time to plan is now. An unprepared school is asking for chaos. Knowing what to do can keep students and staff out of harm’s way during emergencies and ultimately save lives.

The more the district and schools coordinate their plans — the better!

A district-level plan spells out a school district’s safety policies and instructions for handling emergencies and crises, and for supporting staff, students and families.

A school-level plan aligns with the district plan, identifies staff roles and responsibilities during emergencies and crises, and addresses building-specific procedures such as lockdowns and evacuations. School plans should be updated regularly, and everyone should practice emergency procedures in the plan regularly.