Crisis Management Plan

Crisis is defined by Webster’s as ". . . an unstable or crucial time or state of affairs in which a decisive change is impending; one with the distinct possibility of a highly undesirable outcome." This could be a wide variety of situations in our schools, including but not limited to the following:
• Accidents
• Agitated Person on Campus
• Assault
• Bomb Threat / Explosion
• Fire
• Child Abuse
• Child Napping
• Death at School: Natural, Accidental, Homicide, or Suicide
• Emergency Evacuation
• Gang Altercations
• Mass Involvement of Students in Large Group Crisis (Asphyxiation, Food Poisoning, and/or Communicable Disease)
• Nuclear conflict
• Operational Crisis (Hazardous Material release, toxic Substance or Gal Leak, Ruptured Water Lines, Climate Control in     Extreme Weather, and Power Outage)
• Riot / Political or Community Demonstration
• Security Breach / Vandalism
• Tornadoes, Hurricanes, and Other Natural Disasters
• Inclement Weather

Level I crises may not require communication beyond the principal and the appropriate members of the local campus crisis team. Ordinarily the whole team would not convene. Friends and associates from that school or site may react and wish to support the affected individuals(s), but communication to the central administration or local police may not be warranted.  Level I crises could include but not be limited to the following crises:
• Personal tragedy
• Threatening incidents
• Operational crises primarily affecting a student, teacher, or
   administrator and impacting a single site

Level II crises necessitates additional outside assistance to contain and resolve a situation resulting from a major personal crisis or a major disaster elsewhere that affects several individuals at school. Releasing information to the public, however, should be a coordinated effort directed by the superintendent, principal, or their designee.  Level II crises could include but not be limited to the following crises:
• Major personal crisis
• Threatening incident
• Operational crisis at a campus
• Major disaster elsewhere that indirectly impacts students and
   teachers

Level III crises are disasters that profoundly affect one or more sites and requires the mobilization of the campus crisis teams, counselors, and central administration. A local emergency management organization may take over the management of the crisis depending on the situation. Releasing information to the public, however, should be a coordinated effort directed by the superintendent, principal, or their designee.  Level III crises could include but not be limited to the following crises:
• Terrorism
• Disaster or threatened disaster directly and profoundly affecting one or more schools or sites

1. Verification and Initial Assessment
After the first awareness of the crisis, the administrator immediately begins to gather information and make decisions based on that information. It is imperative that an accurate description of what, who, how many, where, and when the incident occurred is obtained.

2. Notification of Emergency Services
If the crisis occurs on campus and there is a threat to safety or indications of escalation, the first responsibility is to obtain assistance from the appropriate emergency services. Calling 911 will summon the EMS. Someone should be assigned to meet them at the entrance and escort them to the site.

3. Assembling Crisis Team Members
The crisis management team should assemble in the principal’s office or other designated location when summoned by the principal or his designee. 

4. Assessment of Situation and Planning with Crisis Team
The facts are shard and reviewed by the crisis management team. Decisions must be made regarding the need of additional assistance.

5. Alerting Administration
The crisis should be reported promptly to the central administration. Periodic updates should follow.

6. Implementation of Appropriate Tasks by Team
• Dispersing accurate information is a top priority.
• Rooms should be made available for counseling. Witnesses, students known to be vulnerable, and friends need to be identified. Make crisis counselors available to the faculty as well. Keep the school and schedule as normal as possible in order to provide stability to all affected by the situation.
• If members of the media arrive on the scene, they should be directed to the principal who will direct them to the superintendent. No campus personnel is authorized to give comment to the media.
• Concerned parents may and will contact the school for reassurance or information. A fact sheet for the secretary will ease the confusion in the office. A procedure should be established for the possible release of students if requested by parents.

7. Debriefing Sessions
Debriefing sessions with the crisis team members should begin the first day and continue throughout the management phase until resolution occurs. Crisis intervention is stressful for all those involved. An opportunity to express feelings and review the day’s experiences will help relieve this stress, as well as permit the team to reevaluate and adjust the plan.

8. Follow-up Services
The effects of a traumatic event take time to become assimilated. Counseling services may be extended beyond the first days for those who continue to have a difficult time. Teachers should monitor students and contact the counseling department if there is a concern.

Individual Staff Responsibilities
Superintendent
• Direct all operations of the district in the management of the emergency
• Assign a system of emergency coordinator to assist in planning
• Gather information from all aspects of the emergency for use in making appropriate decisions about the management of the emergency, including the assignment of tasks
• Communicate with the board and management team
• Stay in contact with the leaders of the emergency service agencies and the law enforcement agencies working with the emergency
• Identify school facilities suitable for use as mass care facilities and establish agreements with the American Red Cross, local government authorities, and emergency management officials
• Authorize the release of information to the public
• Serve as the district media spokesperson

• Obtain and direct the placement of generators when power must be restored for a temporary period
• Coordinate and direct the acquisition of water when there is a disruption of water and sewer services
• Arrange for site control and clean up
• Coordinate the maintenance staff in assisting with directives of the superintendent or campus principals

• Coordinate and direct transportation services for injured persons, school students, staff, and parents
• Instruct children in emergency bus evacuation procedures, and be prepared to render emergency first aid
• Know alternate routes by which students could reach home, shelter, or evacuation assembly points
• Plan for the provision of emergency transportation to students who would normally walk
• Keep emergency equipment and telephone numbers in the bus
• Maintain a list of drivers and alternates, with a means of contact, who could be expected to respond to an emergency call

• Coordinate and supervise emergency management activities
• Assign selected faculty members to the campus crisis team
• Assign school emergency responsibilities to staff
• Supervise specific activities such as in-service training and drills
• Arrange for acquisition, storage, and maintenance of emergency supplies and equipment

• Participate as a member of each campus crisis team
• Assist the crisis team in determining the needs for emergency supplies and equipment
• Coordinate and administer first aid
• Gather student medications and medical alert listings in the event of evacuation
• Supervise first aid teams and stretcher bearers

• Assume the role of the principal in his absence
• Supervise the immediate care of persons who are experiencing difficulty coping with the situation
• Assist in the relocation of students to safe areas
• Act as intermediary for teachers and the school administration
• Lead efforts to identify injured students or staff

• Participate, as requested, on the campus crisis team
• Remain with students at all times; be prepared to provide leadership and activities for students during a period of enforced emergency confinement
• Periodically check class roster to account for all students
• Lead students to safety based on emergency plan procedures
• Supervise the release of their students

• Obtain student and staff information via computer or paper files, including all student registration cards and medical alert listings
• Answer the phone and give out approved information to callers wanting information about the emergency

• Report immediately to the principal or counselor to assist with traffic management and other duties
• After an evacuation—check all classrooms to ensure all individuals have left the building
• Close the classroom doors if time permits
• Identify shutoff valves and switches for gas, oil, water, and electricity

• Cooperate during emergency drills and exercises
• Learn responsibility for self and others
• Take an active part in school emergency response and be assigned a variety of tasks

Name: Office Phone:
Superintendent:  Earl Luce 384-2495
Principal From Each Campus:
Seale Brand—High School 384-2330 ext 501
Tommy Moses—High School (Asst) 384-2330 ext 502
Bryan Henderson—Junior High 384-2323
Arnold Diaz—Jr. High (Asst) 384-2323
Ernest Henderson—Intermediate 384-9358
Lyn Perez—Primary 384-2316

Kim Rokohl—High School 384-2330 ext 500
Rhonda Coleman—Junior High 384-2323
Lupe Huber—Intermediate 384-9358
Yolanda Villarreal—Primary 384-2316

• All doors closed and locked
• Teachers on conference time will report to their classroom
• The crisis management team will report to the office.
• Teachers will note which students are out of the room
• Everyone will stay in the classrooms until notified otherwise by the office

• All doors closed and locked
• The crisis management team will report to the office
• Everyone will stay in the classrooms until told otherwise by the office.

• Classes will resume as normal