Comprehensive Emergency Management Preparedness for Schools

In the event of an emergency the Manchester Public Schools would be able to respond in a way that would protect students and staff in as comprehensive a way as possible. All schools have emergency teams that work diligently on planning, preparing and practicing emergency procedures. Additionally, the district employs a federally funded Safe Schools Coordinator to oversee this work. The city of Manchester has many resources available to assist in this work as well.

As a school employee, if an emergency were to take place at your school, you would listen for and follow instructions given by your building principal.

As a parent, if an emergency were to take place at your child's school, please DO NOT CALL THE SCHOOL. This jams up the phone line and may prohibit important emergency information and calls from getting through to the school. Instead, turn on your radio and listen for instructions. Local radio station WZID 95.7 will carry information on where and how to retrieve your child throughout the emergency. You could also call the school district office (624-6300) for additional information. In some circumstances, going to the school is not the best option. This could create traffic problems for emergency vehicles getting through to the school. We ask that you listen carefully to media information on how to proceed.

HISTORY

The Safe Schools Program began district wide planning and training for individual school teams in Comprehensive Emergency Management Preparedness for Schools in the spring of 1999. This program was first developed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) specifically for schools. In conjunction with the New Hampshire Office of Emergency Management (NHOEM), the Manchester Police Department, and the Manchester Fire Department training began for all schools. The Safe Schools Coordinator and the City Security Manager, both FEMA certified trainers, have conducted the training, development and continuation of the schools' emergency planning, response and maintenance.

WHY SCHOOLS PLAN FOR EMERGENCIES

• Response to emergencies is improved.
• Planning prevents injuries and saves lives.
• Schools are responsible for ensuring safety.
• State laws require planning.
• The actions of planning are worthwhile.
• Benefits extend to home and community.
• Parents and community are more confident.

What Schools Do to Prepare

1. Form Emergency Teams at each school
2. Attend Training in Emergency Planning
3. Do Hazards Assessments
4. Fully adopt the Incident Command System (ICS)
5. Develop a plan based on ICS process
6. Provide supplies for and emergency
7. Practice Drills and Exercises

WHAT IS AN EMERGENCY?

An emergency is any situation that would require the schools to respond in a way to protect students and staff from potential danger.

Emergencies can be caused by many sources:

• Natural hazards - such as weather related or environmental hazards
• Technological hazards - such as power lines
• Manmade hazards - such as dams, highways, school violence, terrorism

WHAT IS EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT?

Emergency management is the processes taken to reduce injury and facilitate the help of emergency workers. Emergency management takes into account events before, during and after a potential hazard.

Emergency management includes:

• The process of analyzing specific threats to a school.
• Mitigating those threats (reducing the likelihood of them happening)
• Preparedness - making plans in the event of an emergency - who would do what?
• Response - what actions would be taken in the event of an emergency.
• Recovery - what needs to be done after the emergency is over.

FIVE BASIC DRILLS

All emergencies require specific actions to be taken. These actions come down to five basic drills. Schools practice these drills periodically throughout the school year in addition to fire drills.

WHAT ARE THESE DRILLS AND WHEN ARE THEY USED?

1. EVACUATION - When all students and staff need to exit the building.
2. REVERSE EVACUATION - When students and staff are outside and need to return inside the building.
3. SECURE BUILDING / LOCK DOWN - When all students and staff need to stay in rooms and out of the halls.
4. DROP DRILL - When students and staff need to take cover and reduce visibility.
5. SHELTER IN PLACE - When students and staff need to remain inside and the building needs to protect from outside or inside conditions.

WHAT IS THE INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM?

The Incident Command System (ICS) is a method for managing emergencies. It was first used by first response agencies (like fire rescue teams), emergency medical services, the military and emergency management personnel. It is a system where specific jobs are assigned to individuals. Each job is known to be needed in an emergency.

Rationale for ICS is:

• All emergencies require certain tasks or functions to be performed.
• Every incident needs a person in charge.
• Everyone uses the same language in emergencies.
• Everyone works from the same set of achievable objectives.

All public schools update their ICS posts each year. When practicing drills schools also practice these assignments.

WHAT ARE THE INCIDENT COMMAND POSTS AND WHAT DO THEY DO?

Incident Response Job Descriptions

School Commander: (usually the principal)

Safety Officer

The Safety Officer ensures that all activities are conducted in as safe a manner as possible under the circumstances which exist.

Public Information Officer (PIO)

News media can play a key role assisting the school in getting emergency/disaster related information to the public (parents). Information released must be consistent, accurate, and timely.

The Public Information Officer (PIO) acts as the official spokesperson for the school site in an emergency situation. If a school district PIO is available, he/she will be the official spokesperson. A school site-based PIO should only be used if the media is on campus and the district PIO is not available or forthcoming.

Liaison Officer

The Liaison Officer serves as the point of contact for Agency Representatives from assisting organizations and agencies outside the school district and assists in coordinating the efforts of these outside agencies by ensuring the proper flow of information.

Operations Chief

The Operations Chief manages the direct response to the disaster, which can include the following:

• Site Facility Check/Security
• Student Care
• Crisis Team
• Medical Student Release

Site Facility Check/Security

Ensures that no action taken that will endanger anyone.

Medical Team Leader

• The Medical Team Leader is responsible for the provision of emergency medical response, first aid, and counseling.
• Informs the School Commander when the situation requires health or medical services that staff cannot provide.
• Ensures that appropriate actions are taken in the event of deaths.

Medical Team

Personnel: First-aid trained staff and volunteers

Crisis Team

Psychological care during and after an emergency

Student Care

Classroom teachers, substitute teachers, and staff as assigned.

Responsibilities: Ensure the care and safety of all students on campus except those who are in the Medical Treatment Area.

Student Release

Personnel: School Secretary, available staff.

Responsibilities: Assure the reunification of students with their parents or authorized adult through separate Request and Release Gates.

Planning/Intelligence Chief

Responsibilities: This section is responsible for the collection, evaluation, documentation and use of information about the development of the incident and the status of resources. Maintain accurate records and site map. Provide ongoing analysis of situation and resource status.

Documentation

Responsibilities: This section is responsible for the collection, evaluation, documentation and use of information about the development of the incident and the status of resources.

Situation Analysis

Responsibilities: This section is responsible for the collection, evaluation, documentation and use of information about the development of the incident and the status of resources. Maintain accurate site map. Provide ongoing analysis of situation and resource status.

Logistics Chief

Responsibilities: The Logistics Section is responsible for providing facilities, services, personnel, equipment, and materials in support of the incident.

Supplies/Facilities

Responsibilities: This unit is responsible for providing facilities, equipment, supplies, and materials in support of the incident.

Staffing

Responsibilities: This unit is responsible for coordinating the assignment of personnel (staff, students, disaster volunteers) in support of the incident.

Communications

Responsibilities: This unit is responsible for establishing, coordinating, and directing verbal and written communications within the school disaster site and with the school district. If the school district cannot be contacted, communications may be made with outside agencies when necessary.