Preparedness is the process of district and school-based planning to prevent emergencies when possible, and to respond effectively when they occur.

It is important to  have site plans for each school facility readily available and ensure they are shared with first responders and agencies responsible for emergency preparedness.

 Important Definitions

Practice responding to crisis on a regular basis. 

Ensure a process is established for communicating during a crisis.

Inspect equipment to ensure it operates during crisis situations.

Have a plan for discharging students. Remember that during a crisis many parents and guardians may not be able to get to the school to pick up their child. Make sure every student has a secondary contact person and contact information readily available.

Have a plan for communicating information to parents and for quelling rumors. Cultivate relationships with the media ahead of time, and identify a public information officer to communicate with the media and the community during a crisis.

Work with law enforcement officials and emergency preparedness agencies on a strategy for sharing key parts of the school crisis plans.

Helpful Hints from the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools.

1) "Components of Comprehensive School and School District Emergency Management Plans" available at: http://www.ercm.org/views/documents/
ComponentsOfComprensiveSchoolDistrictEmergencyMgmtPlans.pdf

2) "Steps for Developing A School Emergency Management Plan" available at:  http://www.ercm.org/views/documents/
Steps4DevelopingSchoolEmergencyMgmtPlans.pdf

3) "Updating and Maintaining School Emergency Management Plans" available at: http://www.ercm.org/views/
documents/Updating_MaintainingPlans.pdf