High School Emergency Response Protocols
Each school will have its own protocols for dealing with emergencies drawn up by senior members of staff in partnership with parents, government officials and safety advisers. Many factors will influence each school's procedures for dealing with emergency scenarios, but the U.S. Department of Education provides general advice on how to deal with a crisis.
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Mitigation and Prevention
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The best response is often to be prepared. The Department of Education advises that schools should be constantly working to reduce the impact of an emergency before it occurs. This involves carrying out regular audits of schools' premises to ensure that its buildings and grounds are as safe as is possible and making sure that evacuation plans are in place should an event require that the school be cleared. Schools should also assess how vulnerable they are to student crime and appoint a member of staff to oversee individual safety programs, such as violence prevention strategies.
Preparedness
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Schools should make sure that procedures are in place to contact all stakeholders in the event of a crisis. Staff should have a policy in place on how to communicate with "staff, students, families, and the media." The school should also ensure that any equipment necessary to deal with an emergency is available to staff and that information about the immediate area and utility shut-off plans are easily available.
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Response
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In the event of an emergency, senior members of school staff must decide whether a crisis is occurring and implement the necessary response. The situation must be contently monitored and communication maintained with key staff members as the the crisis unfolds. Trained school staff or medical professionals should coordinate any first aid treatment required and arrange any additional supplies and equipment beyond those already planned for.
Recovery
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All school staff should ensure that learning resources and infrastructure return to normal as soon as is possible after the event. Teaching staff should assess the emotional impact the crisis has had on students and senior staff should make plans as to how to commemorate the anniversary of the event. The school management team should conduct debriefings with all staff members and outside agencies involved in the event to learn lessons for the future.
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References
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