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  Identify in the emergency preparedness and crisis response plan who will provide training to staff and students and what training is necessary to ensure everyone understands his or her role in a crisis. Train staff and students annually on the procedures outlined in the emergency preparedness and crisis response plan. Be sure to include bus drivers and substitute teachers. Other training or informational issues to consider:

  • Orienting. Orient new staff to the plan. Make sure each classroom has a copy of step-by-step emergency response procedures. Arrange for substitute teachers to receive copies when they arrive at new schools.

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  • Communicating. Communicate components of the plan to parents and guardians, and other appropriate stakeholders. Public safety agencies should be provided with copies of each school’s and the district’s emergency preparedness and crisis response plan.

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  • Practicing. Practice major aspects of the plan regularly, such as lockdown and evacuation procedures, using tabletop exercises and actual drills with law enforcement officials, so everyone is confident in fulfilling their roles.

Emergency/crisis response actions


Lockdown: Activate when there is an imminent threat and/or act of danger/violence in or immediately around the school such as a school shooting or sniper attack, and:

  • Lock all exterior doors, only when safe and practical.
  • Move all students and staff immediately to the nearest securable classroom or other securable location and lock/secure classroom doors.
  • Follow district policy about closing blinds and turning off lights.
  • Move all staff and students to an area not visible from windows or doors.
  • Initiate student accountability procedures when safe to do so.
  • Ensure public safety officials can enter the building.
  • Provide periodic informational updates (age appropriate).

Shelter-in-place: An enhanced level of safety and security requiring housing staff/students indoors for a period of time due to external conditions such as chemical, biological, radiological or other environmental-related incidents.

Evacuation: The orderly process of students and staff exiting the building due to an emergency/crisis.

Secure/Stay-in-place: An enhanced level of security is activated due to an emergency/crisis and/or danger at or near a school facility, such as:

  • Criminal suspect at large within the community
  • Medical and/or weather emergency

Parent Notification and Family Reunification: Plans for how to communicate with parents in the event of an emergency and an orderly, efficient process of reuniting children with their parents/guardians after an emergency/crisis.

These response actions should be practiced on a regular basis to ensure everyone understands and is confident in implementing the procedures.