Managing Unusual Events at Schools

Class Objectives Class participants will be able to identify the components of the Incident Command System (ICS). Class participants will be able to apply the Incident Command System to a table top scenario. Class participants will be able to use ICS during an event.

Basic Business Management Principles Planning Organizing Communicating Evaluating Directing Coordinating Delegating

Developing a Response System for:  Fire  Bomb Threat or Explosion  Hazardous Materials Release  Hostile Intruder  Severe Weather  Earthquake  Other Events Which Attract Media

Typical Emergency Response Shortcomings Breakdown in the decision-making process Inadequate coordination--internally and w/ other agencies Lack of TRAINING Poor use of special resources

Response to emergencies requires:  Certain emergency functions be carried out  One person is in charge  Personnel must:  Handle one task at a time  Report to only one person  No one person should be in charge of more than 7 others

Concepts of ICS  Modular/expandable organization  Easy to use command structure  Comprehensive resource management  Strategic action plans  Manageable span of control  Common terminology

Why use Incident Command System in your emergency plan?  Function-based emergency plans allow a diverse organization to instantly work as a cohesive team. The integration of all efforts under one structure allows for coordinated and effective response operations.

Common Terminology for:  Organizational Elements - response teams  Position Titles - incident commander, general staff, team leaders  Facilities - incident command post, resting area, first aid treatment area, assembly area  Resources - communications gear, personnel, team equipment  Communications - common language in radio transmissions

Four Primary Emergency Functions Operations Accountability Medical Command

Major Management Activities  Command (In Charge)  Overall responsibility  Set and adjust objectives and priorities  Operations  Response Activities  Directs resources  Accountability  Ensure the accountability, safety and care of all students on campus except those in the Medical area  Identify and track those students that leave the campus

Major Management Activities  Medical  Provide emergency first aid and counseling  Inform Operations section leader or IC when situation requires additional help.  Set up triage, treatment, transportation and morgue areas as needed.

Basic ICS Organization Chart

Incident Command Duties (before)  Clarify relevant policy issues  Approve and distribute emergency plans that support ICS  Pre-assign key functional roles (w/ line of succession that is 4 people deep)  Conduct training to familiarize players  Conduct exercises to test the plan

Incident Commander Duties (during)  Responsible for ALL emergency functions until delegated!!!!!  Set incident/event objectives  Assigns human and other resources  Monitor and respond to challenges of the event  Support and supervise command staff and general staff  Represent school and/or district policies

Incident Command and Command Staff Incident Commander Information Officer Liaison Officer Safety Officer Accountability Operations Medical “Command Staff” General Staff

Roles and Responsibilities of Public Information Officer Role: Release information regarding the status of the school or District: 4Clearly 4Concisely 4In a timely manner Responsibilities: Maintains current knowledge of the emergency plan and staff roles Provides single point of information for media and parents. Clears all information through Incident Commander Represents the school on matters of preparedness to the community

Incident Command and Command Staff Incident Commander Information Officer Liaison Officer Safety Officer Accountability Operations Medical “Command Staff” General Staff

Safety Officer Monitor and assess hazards and unsafe situations. Develop measures for ensuring personnel safety. Identify safety problems and implement solutions to minimize risks. Keep IC informed of present problems and potential hazards

Incident Command and Command Staff Incident Commander Information Officer Safety Officer Accountability Operations Medical “Command Staff” General Staff Liaison

Liaison Officer Serve as a point of contact for assisting or coordinating agencies. Work with private contractors to establish mission, radio communication and supervision.

Incident Response Organization Chart

Incident Command Branches

Emergency Command Center (ECC) Organizational Chart

Activity Pattern of an Incident

Command Post Activities  Direction and control  Situation and priority assessment  Resource management and coordination  Planning  Inter-agency communication

Guidelines for the I.C.  Establish a command post  Develop the initial organization  Monitor and maintain a good span of control  Adapt to the situation  Adjust to the priorities  Plan for transfer of Incident Command

Transfer of Command Checklist 4The incident conditions (e.g., objectives, hazards, priorities, etc.) 4The incident action plan and current status. 4Safety considerations and concerns. 4Deployment and assignments of personnel. When transferring command, the outgoing IC must brief the incoming IC to provide: Be sure to advise District/School sites of the command change.

School Bldg Command Post Treatment Area Assembly Parking Lot Parent/student reunion Supply Storage School Site Organization

Table Top Exercises

ICS Discussion #1 Partial building collapse in the gymnasium. 18 Students and one teacher presumed trapped. Smell of natural gas in the area. You have received two calls from the media asking to go live on the air.

ICS Discussion #2 Unknown odor/spill in the Lab. Reports of ill students throughout the building. Several teachers are among the Patients.

ICS Discussion #3 A runaway car plows through the students exiting the school buses at the start of the school day. (25-30 patients) The car end up crashing through not only the crowd, but also into the wall with the electrical panel. Odors of overheating electrical wires throughout the school.

Table-Top Discussion #1 Severe and unexpected windstorm knocks 5 trees into classrooms. Wind is apparently building in intensity. Several small fires are noticed in the collapsed area. You expect the entire community to have the same damages.

Table-Top Discussion #2 A single engine plane crashed into the classroom area. Several small fires are started that may involve flammable liquids. Parents start arriving almost as soon as the emergency responders. There are many “walking wounded” on the campus.

Conclusion and Next Steps