Creating an emergency response plan for schools is crucial. Knowing how to protect our children from all of the violence in today’s society is our primary focus. There have been, on average, 2.5 school shootings every week this year. Gun control and mental health awareness seem to be the top motives for school safety initiatives. However, emergency response plans can help arm faculty and staff with proper safety procedures and knowledge when the situation escalates to an active shooter status and becomes deadly.  Let’s dig into some steps below that explain what an emergency response plan for schools is, and how to start putting one into effect for your facility. 

What is an Emergency Response Plan for Schools?

There is a big difference between a safety plan and an emergency response plan for a school. A safety plan includes all safety concerns that can happen on a daily basis. However, an emergency response plan for schools focuses on the main events that could have a severe impact on the quality of life for your students and staff. An emergency response plan for a school should be simple and to the point.  The biggest goal that can be accomplished by an emergency response plan for a school is giving your staff a proactive way to respond to a reactive crisis.  People will always default back to the way they were trained for high-stress situations.  Being untrained could result in an unneeded panic that leads to a sizable increase in the potential for an injury.

Key Points to Focus On When Setting Up an Emergency Response Plan for Schools:     

• • The program should be organized and accurate for a variety of possible emergencies.
  • The plan should provide a clear and concise procedure for the safety of all students and staff.
  • This program should include the use of an emergency alert system with the means of communication during an emergency PRO TIP!
  • The program should also seek to decrease any liability that may develop during a crisis.
  • This program should focus on proactive measures, as well as reactive measures.
  • This program should help staff members, and students with identifying and responding to potential threats and emergency situations PRO TIP!

Safety Procedure Training:

The mission of an emergency response plan for schools is to use advanced technology and response tactics. The mission should provide a safe environment through the addition of a practical and efficient emergency response plan. All of these actions combined will create a community response to any situation that threatens the quality of life. Your Facility includes the option of choice, to either run, fight, or hide during an active shooter or violent attack crisis. This method will require all current and future faculty members to be trained. Training through presentation should be completed monthly. Practical training should be at the attention of the management.

Starting an Emergency Response Plan Policy

Your Facility uses a response options method when responding to armed criminals, active shooters, and deadly attacks. This process will allow faculty members and any likely assistants or patrons, to guide themselves and others who are in lock-down to make the best possible decision under the given circumstances.  It is recommended that members of faculty or staff first trigger lock-down mode in the event of an active shooter or deadly attack. Once on lock-down, the decisions under the circumstances require them to follow one of the following options:

1. Freeze and remain in lock-down mode.
2. Counterattack using any available object(s). Remember, don’t try to be a hero, but this tactic should be utilized in the event the attacker has gained access to your location, and you are under direct threat or attack.
3. Evacuate to the predetermined community rally point. PRO TIP!

The goal is to give staff options when responding to any threats. Providing options allows them to create a survival mindset should they be in a dangerous situation.

Still Unsure About an Emergency Response Plan for Schools?

Contact us for more information to make the best decision for your emergency response plan for schools.

info@communityresponsesystems.com or 800-533-7201 M-F 8-5 pm CST