Crisis Management Plans for Schools
Schools are liable to a variety of hazards, including hazards that are general to any site (natural disasters, technological hazards) and hazards that are specific to a school setting (such as student violence and bullying). Having a crisis management plan developed, approved and in place in advance of a crisis is necessary for a safe educational environment. The plan should have several sections, which are described below.
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Basic Plan
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The basic plan section of the crisis management plan should address several issues. These include: a clear statement of the purpose, goals and authorizing authority for the plan; the assumptions that underlie the plan; the general principles of emergency management; lines of authority in the event of an emergency; the definition of such concepts as "preparedness," "response" and "recovery"; and, lines of responsibility for developing, maintaining, modifying and training people to the specifics of the crisis management plan.
General Procedures
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Some procedures are to be applied generally across several different kinds of emergencies, and these are described in the general hazard response section of the crisis management plan. These include procedures for the following: on-site and off-site evacuation; lockdown; securing the building; shelter-in-place; and "stay put, stay tuned" procedures.
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Specific Hazard Responses
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A major portion of the crisis management plan should discuss procedures that are specific to certain types of emergencies. These responses should be described in the specific hazard responses section. Emergencies to be discussed should include: bomb threat; vehicle crash; death (including suicide); fire or explosion; flood or failure of a dam; hazardous materials spill or release; intruders; medical emergency; student missing or abducted; severe weather; sexual assault; shootings; terrorism; utility failure; and weapons violations, along with other situations.
Aftermath Management
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Different emergencies create different kinds of psychological aftermaths for students, staff, faculty and administration. The aftermath management section of the plan outlines procedures for dealing with the psychological aftermath of crises and emergencies.
Training
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School administration, faculty, staff and students should be trained and retrained in the use of this plan well in advance of any potential crisis. Merely putting a written plan into people's hands is not sufficient. Responses to different types of emergencies should be drilled and knowledge of the plan tested.
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References
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