Communications During a Crisis Presented by: Bill Bond NASSP Specialist for School Safety

Plan for a Crisis  Meet with local police and walk through the building.  Traffic flow/Parent parking  Maintaining crime scene and witnesses  Master keys  Floor Plan  Learn the emergency terms

Communication Plans  Parents need information  Phone system  Website  Teacher at front door  Parent volunteers

Crisis Kits  Flash Drive  Student information  Teacher information  Digitized school  Emergency contacts First aid supplies Communication supplies Traffic control supplies Sign out forms Leather gloves

Crisis Plan  Decide within seconds  Staff roles and responsibilities  Training and practice  Call 911 NOW!  Evacuate or lock down : decide  Project calm and confident demeanor  Single spokesman  Student release  Documentation

Control the Crisis  Remain calm  Call 911  Evacuation or staying in place  Use simple language  Anyone can call a lockdown  Only Principal or AP can call all clear

Mother is Coming  Staff member with information for parents  Parents on crisis team to reassure other parents  Sign out area/forms  Students use cell phones to call parents  Phone system  Website

Media is the Key to Recovery  School spokesman  Media area/ sign in sheets  Your community is your audience  Know your mission  Know the media’s rights

Who is Responsible?  Security/ law enforcement officers  Counseling services  Communication  Money

Return to Normal ASAP

Unification  Identify reunion area(s)  Identify sign out area  Train staff and develop sign out forms  If possible, escort students to parents  Develop a victims/witness list to separate from other parents

Psychological Services  National Association of School Psychologists 

Victim Assistance  Triage Training  Prepare Emergency Supplies  Identifying Students  Providing Information to Emergency Responders/Hospital  Recording Names

Staff Responsibilities  PRINCIPAL  Remain in Control Center  Announce Code Red  Directs 911 Call  Prepares All Announcements  Prepares Statements for Secretaries

Staff Responsibilities  ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS/NURSE  When Secured Report to Scene  Provide Medical Assistance-Nurse  Identify Victims-Report Status to Office Record Names and Ambulance Information

Staff continued  PRINCIPALS SECRETARY  Call District Office  Log Times of Notification  Contact Parents of Victims  Type Prepared Statements

Staff continued  SECRETARIAL TEAM  Call 911  Turn Off Bells  Clear Office of Non-Essential People

Staff continued  HEAD CUSTODIAN AND STAFF  Secure The Building  Assure Crime Scene Is Unchanged  Prepare Parent Parking Area

Staff Continued  ATHLETIC DIRECTOR WITH VESTS  Clear Bus Area of Vehicles  Direct Parents To Parking Area

Communications During a Crisis  Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be with you today! Bill Bond, NASSP Specialist for School Safety   Phone: xt. 357 To schedule Bill Bond to do a presentation in your school or district, please contact Carolyn Glascock xt  For a list of topics and other NASSP services please visit the NASSP Website at