- Principal
- Assistant principal
- Facility manager
- Food service personnel
- Front office professional
- NEA building representative
- School nurse or social worker
- Mental health professional (e.g., counselor, social worker, psychologist)
- Security officer
- Technology specialist
- Teachers as available and needed
- Liaison to district communication office
Responsibilities — prepare for a crisis
- Create the emergency preparedness and crisis response plan for the school — a written document that 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 be practiced by all participants.
- Make sure students know how to respond in a crisis. For example, students should know how to evacuate and how to behave in a lockdown. Tell students where the “safe” and “unsafe” classroom cards are stored. These cards are put under the door to inform emergency responders of the situation in the classroom in case of a lockdown. Click here for elements of a school emergency preparedness and crisis response plan.
- Provide training for the school crisis response team members, including on-site mock training exercises with public safety officials. When planning exercises, think carefully about who should be present. When is it appropriate for police and fire to practice in the building without staff? When should staff be present for drills? When should students be involved in the drills? Should media be allowed to observe practice exercises? Ensure parents/guardians are informed of the need to practice crisis preparedness drills.
- Provide information to the district-level crisis response team, including copies of the school crisis response plan, floor plans, master keys, bell and bus schedules, student rosters with identification of special needs students, and evacuation routes and locations. These items should also be included in the school emergency or “go” kits.
- Create a telephone tree to contact school crisis response team members and all other school staff when school is not in session. Also, create a plan to notify all school staff of an emergency during regular school hours.
- Gather equipment and supplies. Click here for a list.
Responsibilities — respond to a crisis
- Initiate emergency notification.
- Launch and direct the emergency response, including evacuation and parent notification, if necessary.
- Secure the school and search for affected or injured individuals.
- Arrange medical care for injured individuals.
- Communicate with the district-level crisis response team and communications director.
- Determine whether counseling services are needed. Work with the district-level crisis response team to mobilize resources and oversee mental health services provided to students and staff.