EMERGENCY
RESPONSE PLANNING
FOR
SCHOOLS AND
CHILDCARE
PROGRAMS
Gregg Champlin
(603) 223-3629
[email protected]
School and Child Care
Emergency Response Plans
Requirements:
K-12 Public and Nonpublic Schools – RSA189:64
• Public and nonpublic schools are required to have site specific
Emergency Response Plans
• The plans are to be based on and conform to Incident Command
System and National Incident Management System
• Two of required Fire Evacuation drills used to practice other
Response Actions
• Must cover Multiple Hazards
• Must be coordinated with local emergency officials & local
Emergency Operations Plan
• Must be reviewed and updated at least annually
• NH Homeland Security & Emergency Management is responsible
for assisting schools
Child Care Programs – He-C 4000 Child Care Licensing Rules
• Required to have Emergency Response Plans
• Based on the Incident Command System
• Coordinated with local emergency response agencies
• Guidelines for critical tasks
• Incident Commander
• Child Care
• Medical
• Child-Parent Reunification
• Requires six (6) Response Actions (See next section)
• Evacuation (Building & Off-Site)
• Lockdown
• Secure Campus (lockout)
• Shelter-In-Place
• Drop-Cover & Hold
• Reverse Evacuation
Compliance
All school administrators and anyone with Command responsibilities should
complete the following online courses available at www.training.fema.gov ;
IS700.b National Incident Management System An introduction
IS100SC.a Introduction to the Incident Command System for Schools
IS200.b ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents
Those individuals that serve as team leaders should complete IS100SCa.
It is recommended that all school staff complete IS100SCa. This will give them a
basic understanding of the management system their schools will be utilizing
during an emergency. Some superintendents have authorized three hours of staff
development time upon completion and submittal of the certificate.
By utilizing the Incident Command System for on scene management of an event
and utilizing the recommended seven Response Actions (see below) schools
should be able to respond to most incidents.
The following are the standardized Response Actions recommended for K-12
public and nonpublic schools in New Hampshire. Child Care programs are
required to utilize six of these seven Response Actions.
Drop, Cover, and Hold Procedure:
Purpose
The Drop, Cover, and Hold is activated in order to protect students and staff from falling
objects or items that may become “projectiles”. Incidents that may require the activation
of this response action include but are not limited to; explosions, earthquakes, gun shots
and unannounced severe wind events. In cases of an incident requiring the Drop,
Cover, and Hold response action, the following procedure should be adhered to by
students and staff.
Procedure
Students and staff should:
§ Face away from windows.
§ Drop to the floor.
§ Cover by getting under a sturdy table, desk, or other piece of furniture. If there is
not suitable furniture available, cover face and head with arms.
§ Hold on to the furniture until directed to stop.
§ When directed or when it is safe to do so, staff may have to evacuate or
implement other Response Actions as the situation dictates.
NOTE: If there is an identified Severe Wind (tornado) Area of Refuge the basic Drop and
Cover procedure is implemented.
Secure Campus Procedure:
Purpose
The Secure Campus response action is activated when it is necessary to protect staff
and students from a threat from outside the school building. Incidents that may require
the activation of this response action include but are not limited to; a police chase near a
school and a direct or indirect threat to a school. In cases of an incident requiring the
Secure Campus response action, the following procedure should be adhered to by
students and staff.
Procedure
Students and staff should:
• If outside, activate Reverse Evacuation (See Reverse Evacuation procedure)
• All outdoor activities should be cancelled.
• Staff should close all windows and curtains if necessary (particularly ground
level)
• Check that all exterior doors are closed and locked.
• Continue normal academic functions unless informed to take another action.
• Depending on the situation all entry and dismissals should only be allowed
through one point of entry which is monitored.
Shelter-In-Place Procedure:
Purpose
The Shelter-In-Place response action is activated when it is necessary to protect staff
and students from airborne hazardous materials, toxic smoke or nuclear material.
Shelter-In-Place may be activated when there isn’t sufficient time to safely Off-Site
Evacuate a school or as a precautionary measure while awaiting transportation
resources to arrive. In cases of an incident requiring the Shelter-In-Place response
action, the following procedure should be adhered to by students and staff.
Procedure*
The following procedures will be implemented by staff and students when directed or
when deemed appropriate or necessary by the situation.
Students and staff should:
• Staff should close and lock all windows.
• Check that all exterior doors are closed and locked.
• Shut off heating and air-conditioning equipment and fans
• Close all vents that can potentially carry outside air into a building. Vents that can
not be secured should be covered by utilizing duct tape and plastic.
• Escort all students to the secure room(s).
• Depending on the situation all entry and dismissals should only be allowed
through one point of entry which is monitored.
• Await further information.
• Prepare for Off-Site Evacuation until Shelter-In-Place is terminated.
*NOTE: Every facility is different therefore each school building should be
surveyed to determine the best area or areas for sheltering. For example in some
schools it may be best to shelter in the classrooms while other schools may find
that it is best to designate an individual room or rooms for sheltering. Also each
HVAC system may differ in the method of shutting them down so separate
guidance will have to be developed for each unit. Because of this, this Functional
Annex should reflect the actions that will be followed for each facility.
Lockdown Procedure:
Purpose
The Lockdown response action is activated when it is necessary to protect staff and
students from a violent intruder or any other situation, such as a wild animal in the
school, that would entail securing staff and students in their classrooms or other areas
that are capable of being locked. In cases of an incident requiring the Lockdown
response action, the following procedure should be adhered to by students and staff.
Indoor Procedure
When indoors, students and staff should:
• Report to the nearest room or Area of Refuge.
• Close and lock doors and windows.
• Cover the door window if necessary.
• Staff should move students so they can not be seen
• Shut off lights
• Remain quiet
• If the Fire Alarm sounds do NOT evacuate, but stay aware of situation
• Wait for further instructions.
• Be prepared to institute other Response Actions, as necessary.
Note: Staff may evacuate to an outside Area of Refuge if necessary.
Outdoor Procedure
When outdoors staff and students should:
• Not reenter the school building.
• Immediately go to an outside Area of Refuge.
Evacuation Procedure:
Purpose
The Evacuation response action procedure is activated when it is necessary for staff and
students to exit the school building when the fire alarm activates or an incident in the
building poses an unsafe environment, the following procedure should be adhered to by
students and staff.
Fire Alarm Activation Procedure
When the school Fire Alarm system activates students and staff should:
• Exit the school by the nearest and safest exit (do not pick up coats or
belongings).
• Gather at the designated meeting area
• Staff will take attendance.
• Staff will observe the students for signs of heat or cold exposure.
• Await further instructions.
Room by room Evacuation Procedure
In some cases it may be necessary to evacuate a school one room at a time. Two
situations where this may be necessary are; an internal hazardous material spill and a
hostage situation. Staff and students should;
• Evacuate the immediate area of danger.
• Staff should notify the office of the situation.
• Evacuate adjacent rooms away from the danger area.
• In the case that Fire or Police are on site follow their instructions.
• Gather at the designated meeting area.
• Staff will take attendance.
• Staff will care for the students.
• Await further instructions.
Reverse Evacuation Procedure:
Purpose
The Reverse Evacuation response action procedure is activated when it is necessary for
staff and students to enter the school quickly in order to avoid a dangerous or potentially
dangerous situation outside the school. Examples of some potential situations are; rabid
animal, a stranger on grounds, or an external Hazardous Material event.
Procedure
The following procedures will be implemented by staff and students when directed or
when deemed appropriate or necessary by the situation.
Staff and students should;
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
If directed by school administration, activate Reverse Evacuation immediately.
The first person aware of a situation directs students and staff to enter the
building.
Walk quickly to the nearest entrance.
Notify the principle/office as soon as possible (if action wasn’t initiated by the
office).
Report to a designated meeting area such as gym, cafeteria, or classroom.
Check for injuries
Staff will take attendance.
Remain ready for further instructions.
Scan Procedure:
Purpose
The Scan response action is activated when it is necessary for staff to look around there
area for any item which doesn’t belong there. Scan will be activated primary in the case
of a Bomb Threat, but could be utilized for any situation that required the staff to look for
an item which may cause harm.
Procedure
The following procedures will be implemented by staff when directed or when deemed
appropriate or necessary by school authorities.
When notified staff should;
• Look around your room for anything you are unable to identify.
Scan: High, Middle and Low
• Do not move, open or touch a suspicious object.
• Do not use radios or cell phones
• If something is found, evacuate to a safer area.
• Notify the Command Post of the location and description of the item or that your
area is clear.
• Remain quiet and wait for further instructions.
Support Available from NH HSEM
NH Homeland Security and Emergency Management is dedicated to assisting
our schools, childcare programs and communities in the development of their
Emergency Response Plans in order to save lives and increase the coordination
between diverse groups and agencies before, during and after an emergency.
The following support is available:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Review of existing Emergency Response Plans
Awareness sessions
Staff development sessions
Plan Development workshops
Facilitation and support of Tabletop and Full Scale Exercises
Facilitation of After Action meetings for actual incidents
Facility Audits (security, Areas of Refuge, etc.)
Any other support necessary