Chelley Barnes School Safety Specialist Division of School Safety 1

Standard Mississippi Code Mississippi Code 2 A comprehensive crisis response plan as defined in Standard 31 is composed of three parts: Policies and procedures that create a safe school environment Crisis Response Plan, and Programs that promote a safe school environment.

These standards are those recommended by Mississippi Department of Education, Division of School Safety. Mississippi Department of Education will support the school district that has followed these recommendations should litigation occur. 3 Ref: Mississippi School Safety Manual (Revised 2009) and Mississippi Occupation Safety and Crisis Response Planning Manual (Revised 2006)

 Responsibilities and Roles must be decided during the planning process.  The school board must approve the plans and procedures.  The Crisis Response Plan must be reviewed annually. 4

National Incident Management System (NIMS) The Incident Command System should be implemented. Chain of command shall be pre- determined. Plain terminology in emergency situations shall be used. The red, yellow and green card system shall be utilized as required. 5

What crises do you plan for? 6

Fire/Explosion 7

Tornado/Hurricane/Inclement Weather 8

Bomb Threat/Explosion 9

Intruders 10

Earthquake 11

Terrorism 12 *Terrorism is defined in a variety of formal, legal ways, but the essential element is the intent to inflict psychological damage on an adversary. *The U.S. Department of Defense defines terrorism as “the calculated use of violence or the threat of violence to inculcate fear, intended to coerce or to intimidate governments or societies in the pursuit of goals that are generally political, religious, or ideological.” *Terrorism includes attacks by individuals acting in isolation. *Rather than developing a separate terrorism protocol it is recommended that the Armed intruder and Hazarous Material Protocols be used for response.

Threats Unique to the School 13

Emergency Evacuation Kits 14 Crisis Response Plan Class lists Parent/student sign out sheets Faculty lists and phone numbers Rubber gloves Phone Book Markers, poster board, paper, pens, pencils Extra keys First Aid Kit Building plans and schematics of utility lines

Transportation Plans 15 Under almost all conditions the school is the safest place in the entire community for children. When in doubt, don’t release the students.

Individual School Plans Each school shall have an individual Crisis Response Plan to supplement the District’s Crisis Response Plan. This plan shall address all incidents including situation that may be unique to this school. 16

Drills  Fire – Monthly  Tornado – 2 times per school year  Lockdown/Intruder - 2 times per school year 17

Crisis Response Team  The crisis response team assists with the development and implementation of the crisis response plan.  The Principal appoints the Crisis Response Team according to the school district policies.  The Crisis Response Team can include staff, faculty, administrative, law enforcement, etc.  Roles and responsibilities shall be clearly defined. 18

CRT cont.  Crisis Response Team Members should be trained in NIMS, recommend all team members complete ICS 100, ICS 100sc and ICS 200 ( ).  CRT members should take an active role in all drills.  Team members should meet monthly and evaluate their schools response during past drills.  Problem areas should be defined and corrections for future drills implemented. 19

Contact Information  Contact information for CRT members.  Contact information for all schools within the district and central office.  Emergency contact information for local, state and federal Law Enforcement, EMS, Media, Utility Companies, etc. 20

Family Reunification Areas  This area should be clearly designated.  At least two (2) areas are recommended.  Possible assembly area could be school auditorium - or some type area that could accommodate large numbers of persons. Assembly area shall not be in parking lots. All assembly areas must be in a non-danger area. Evacuation sites must be a minimum of 500 ft. from campus for drills and 1,500 ft. for real incidents.  MOUs with outside entities may be required. 21

Plain & Simple Terminology  NIMS requires plain terminology (Verbal Commands) be utilized for all emergency situations.  Evacuate  Lockdown  Inclement / Bad Weather  Caution / Standby 22

Evacuate  This verbal command shall be given for all situations requiring building or campus evacuations. Such as Bomb Threat, Fire, Gas Leak, or any other situation requiring total evacuation.  Roles and responsibilities for CRT members shall be pre-determined. 23

Lockdown  This procedure will be utilized in situations where the safety and will-being of students, faculty, and staff are threatened by an unwanted intruder, a weapon on campus, suicide attempt, hostage situation, abduction, or other unwanted events that have a profoundly negative affect on the school population.  The verbal command “Lockdown” shall be given.  Roles and responsibilities for CRT members shall be Pre-determined for Post Lockdown. 24

Inclement/Bad Weather  The verbal command pertaining to the type of situation shall be given.  Tornado, Earthquake, Severe Thunderstorm or Any Other Signal Requiring Taking Cover To Avoid Injury.  Roles and responsibilities for CRT members shall be pre-determined. 25

Caution/Standby  This code alert will be utilized in the event that there is a potential crisis. Lock doors and all staff and students are advised to be on standby and wait for further instructions.  All available CRT members shall report to designated EOC for instructions. 26

Appendices ( Recommend items to include in this plan)  Student release forms.  List of students with special requirements.  Building plans including locations of utility cutoffs.  Other pertinent information which may be helpful. 27

Contact Information   School Safety Law Manual  Occupational Safety and Crisis Response Manual 