Crisis Management Plan

Jackson County Public Schools

In-Service Training

July 1999

Purpose of the Plan

To coordinate the prompt and effective response to crisis situations

To give teachers, administrators, school board officials and the community assurance that a comprehensive plan is in place and operational

To provide guidelines that are easy to use and accessible to all personnel

The Crisis Management Plan is designed to:

Communicate the Plan with faculty, students, parents, emergency services, media or other entities

Reduce confusion or panic Provide step by step instructions for various

types of crisis or incidents Establish specific responsibilities for the staff,

faculty, security and emergency personnel

Annual Crisis Management Plan Requirements

Designate, orient and train the Crisis Management Team

Review and update the Plan Train faculty and staff in their duties and

responsibilities Drill students in emergency procedures Review and update the coordination with

local police, fire and medical personnel

Requirements, Continued

Verify that the various emergency entities have coordinated with each other.

Assure that emergency personnel have easy access to an updated drawing of the facilities and grounds

Communicate to parents the intent and guidelines of the Plan through meetings and materials.

Crisis Management Plan Checklist

Crisis Management Team designated? Y N Plan reviewed and updated? Y N Faculty and Staff In-service? Date_______ Student training and drills? Date_______ Emergency Personnel Coordination? Y N

– Date - Police____, Fire____Medical____

– Other_____________________________ Drawing provided? Y N

Who Has?_____Where kept?________________ Parent/Guardian Communications Y N

ResponsibilitiesAdministration and Staff

Activate Plan for facility and site plan

Notify Superintendent's office

Notify County Crisis Team

Activate plans to support impacted staff or students

Debrief officials on issues relevant to the community and media

Meet and debrief staff Assure follow-up with

impacted or at-risk students and staff

Responsibilities of Teacher or Supervising Adult

Know and understand the Plan Intervene immediately to help victim(s) and

create a safe environment Inform administration and staff members

with known facts Deal with emotional impact to self and

students Encourage restoration of normal routine

Communication with the Media

ONLY the designated County Press Information Officer or Designated Point Person is to discuss or be in contact with the Media

If you are are contacted, refer all inquiries to the PIO.

Do not comment, draw conclusions or make any reference to the incident unless cleared by the PIO

Tips and Suggestion for Talking with the Media

Don’t - Unless you have been given authorization!

Provide accurate information Speak conversationally Answer each question succinctly and then

stop speaking

Tips Continued

If you don’t know the answer, say so If information is known, but you can’t

supply it, say so and explain why If a reporter interrupts you, stop speaking If a reporter asks more than one question,

ask which question you should answer first.

Letters or Memos

All letters and memos must be approved through the PIO before being made public.

County and School Telephone Tree

Keep up to date Check all telephone numbers Verify all personnel have up to date copy

Teacher Evacuation Procedures

Take your grade book/roster and the emergency plan with you

Keep your students together Follow the Crisis Management Team

directions and instructions Do not return or re-entry the school until

told you can do so.

Precautions for the Disabled Impaired

Hearing Disabilities Visual Disabilities Learning, Emotional, Cognitive Disabilities Physical Disabilities

Precautions, continued

General

– Procedures are read to/by student in languages they understand

– Student demonstrates they understand

– A buddy system and backup is used

– Special equipment is always accessible

The Jackson County Crisis Management Plan

Emergency Telephone Numbers

Crisis Management Team Medical Response Team Early Closing of Schools Suicide Drug Incident Chemical Spills &Railroad

Accidents Fire

Serious Injury or Illness Sexual Battery on Campus Severe Weather Severe Disruptions involving

criminal acts Bomb Threat or Suspicious

Object Other Emergency Procedures Appendix Teacher Evacuation

Procedures

Jackson County Emergency Phone Numbers

Provides a list of major telephone numbers to report a variety of incidents

Used for incidents with Immediate Danger to life and/or property

School Crisis Management Team

Established by School Administration at beginning of each year.

Provides leadership and management during crisis.

Must be knowledgeable and have clear understanding of responsibilities and duties

Have practiced the Plan

School Medical Response Team

School first responders Trained in first-aid and CPR Volunteers? Assigned - meet bloodborne pathogen

health requirements if assigned by job title

Early Closing of School -Code A

Key Duties– Administration makes decision– Transportation will be arranged– Administration notifies Board Members and

Media– Teachers prepare students for transportation– Arrangements made for students that cannot

leave school for what ever reason

Suicide or Attempt- Code B

Attempt– Teacher immediately sends for help and has other

persons leave area– Administration notifies emergency personnel and

parents/guardians– Student is NEVER left alone

Actual Situation– Send for help– Move other persons away from scene

Drug Incident - Code C

Only Administration will approach suspected person

Law Enforcement will be called Teacher will move other persons from area

if potential for violence exists

Chemical Spills & Railroad Accidents - Code D

Administration will call Superintendent, Transportation and County Emergency Management.

Students are to be brought indoors to main building and and building closed - Reason: to reduce exposure to unknown chemicals

CEM will provide guidance as to evacuation as necessary

Fire - Code E

At Alarm, Prepare students and immediately follow evacuation procedures

Assure ALL students are accounted. Do not return to the building for any reason Emergency personnel will search as

necessary

Serious Injury or Illness - Code F

Immediately call for medical assistance DO NOT MOVE person if potential exists

for head, neck or back injury. Do not leave student unattended Parents/Guardians will be notified

concerning any injury immediately

Sexual Battery on Campus- Code G DO NOT leave victim alone Immediately call for Medical Response

Team. Administration will contact police, parents or

guardian Do not discuss the incident with anyone

other than Administration, Law Enforcement or Legal

Severe Weather - Code H

Tornado Watch Tornado Warning Thunderstorm Hurricane Watch or Warning Flooding

Severe Disruptions Involving Criminal Acts - Code I Criminal Acts or violence are “Zero Tolerance”

events Lock Down Procedures Evacuation Procedures - No Delay Student and Staff Safety are paramount - Do not

take undue chances - Evacuate persons from area as quickly as possible

If you hear gunshot or explosion, drop to the floor.

Bomb Threat Or Suspicious Object - Code J

Use Bomb Threat Checklist as soon as possible

Notify Administration Do not take undue chances

– Evacuate the suspected area immediately

Other Emergency Procedures - Code K Gas Leaks Electrical Outage Problems Water shortage or other incident that

degrades use of school or may cause injury

Appendix

Campus Disorders and Florida Law Emergency Disaster Plans and Community

Services Emergency Evacuation Drills Acknowledgements

Resources

Jackson County – Student Assistance Program– County Emergency Planning

Panhandle Area Educational Consortium– Risk Management - Pat McDaniel

• Marsh, Inc. Risk Services

– Safe and Drug Free Schools - Linda Booth

Additional Resources

Internet– US DOE - www.ed.gov/offices/oese/sdfs/safeschools.html

– Insurance Services Office - www.iso.com/doc/schoolviolence.htm

– National Association of School Psychologists - www.naspweb.org/center/safe_schools/colorado.htm

– National School Safety &Security Services - www.schoolsecurity.org

– National School Safety Center - www.nsscl.org/home2.htm