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Emergency Operations Planning

Colorado School Safety Resource Center Emergency Operations Planning Resources - 2011

  • The Colorado School Emergency Operations Plan Exercise Toolkit was produced in a cooperative effort by the Governor's Office of Homeland Security, Colorado Division of Emergency Management (Department of Local Affairs) and CSSRC (Colorado Department of Public Safety). It has been developed in a cooperative effort by a subcommittee of the Emergency Planning & Response Working Group established by the Colorado School Safety Resource Center (CSSRC).
Colorado School Emergency Operations Plan Exercise Toolkit

This Toolkit provides schools and school districts a tool for a discussion-based (tabletop) test and review of emergency preparedness and response plans for a variety of disasters or emergency situations. For further consultation or technical assistance from the working group, please contact the Colorado School Safety Resource Center.

NEW - - Inclusive Emergency Planning

  • This document provides brief highlights, strategies, and resources to support inclusive and comprehensive school emergency planning. It includes specific information on the value of training, exercises, and drills and planning for individuals with access and functional needs.

The Role of Athletic Directors in School Safety Efforts

  • The REMS TA Center hosted a Webinar to highlight the role of athletic directors in school safety, security, emergency management, and preparedness. During this Webinar, presenters demonstrated the importance of developing a collaborative planning team to support emergency operations plan (EOP) development.
  • The U.S. Department of Education and its REMS TA Center hosted this Webinar to provide K-12 schools, school districts, regional education agencies, and state education agencies, along with their community partners, with information on how to collaborate with athletic directors on emergency management planning. While the live Webinar offered opportunities to respond to individual and unique questions from stakeholders and practitioners, the archived Webinar serves as a resource to help education agencies collaborate with athletic directors on school safety, security, emergency management, and preparedness.

Emergency Drill White Paper for Public Schools, Charter Schools, and Junior Colleges Based on the 2021 International Fire Code

  • Fire & Evacuation and Lockdown drills are a vital component in preparing our students, teachers, and staff for potential emergencies. With the recent adoption of the 2021 edition of the International Fire Code (IFC), the Division of Fire Prevention and Control is developing this paper to clarify the requirements for school fire safety plans, fire evacuation plans, and lockdown plans for Colorado schools.

Quick Guide for Rural Superintendents on Emergency Planning - July 2019

Updated Version of EOP ASSIST - A Software Application for K-12 Schools, School Districts, Regional Education Agencies & State Agencies

  • Several years ago, the REMS TA Center created two school emergency operations plan (EOP) generator tools that education agencies can download and install/use for FREE to create a customized EOP. Both tools were recently updated. The EOP ASSIST is the REMS TA Center's software application designed to help schools create and update high-quality school emergency operations plans (EOPs). This application, available free of charge, walks users through the six-step planning process recommended in the Guide for Developing High-Quality School Emergency Operations Plans (School Guide) and exports a customized and downloadable school EOP.

The Role of Districts in Developing High Quality School Emergency Operations Plans - September 2019

  • This report was prepared for the U.S. Department of Education (Department) under Contract Number EDESE12O0036 with Synergy Enterprises, Inc. Madeline Sullivan served as the contracting officer's representative for the Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools (REMS) Technical Assistance (TA) Center. This guide The Role of Districts in Developing High-Quality School Emergency Operations Plans (District Guide) (PDF - 5.7MB) complements the earlier School Guide by recommending specific roles and responsibilities for district-level administrators and staffs. We recommend that district-level representatives involved in emergency management familiarize themselves with the School Guide before turning to this District Guide to better understand how they can best assume their complementary role in planning and fulfilling their responsibilities. While diversity exists among school districts (e.g. large, small, urban, suburban, rural) and their resources (including staff size and skills), the process this guide describes is intended to be flexible enough to accommodate this diversity.

Quick Guide for Rural Superintendents on Emergency Planning - July 2019

  • Realizing how daunting the subject of school safety planning can be, especially for administrators with multiple responsibilities, the Center has developed these suggested steps for districts to take/review as you strive to build your plans. These ten steps will incorporate best practices and help your district be compliant with the Safe Schools Act. Also, check out the CSSRC's Comprehensive Emergency Operations Plan Checklist.

Comprehensive School Safety Planning: Suggested Elements for Districts and Schools | (Compiled by CSSRC)

  • This template, which continues to be updated was modeled after the U.S. Department of Education's (2007) four phase model of emergency planning: Prevention/Mitigation, Preparedness, Response and Recovery. This model is also in compliance with the Colorado Safe Schools Act CRS 22-32-109.1 which requires each school district to adopt and implement a safe schools plan.
  • Comprehensive School Safety Planning: Elements Checklist (pdf) (word) - (Compiled - July 2014 | Updated April 2021)

Response: Emergency Actions for K-12 Schools (Updated)

  • As part of a collaborative work group effort, it is recommended that K-12 schools have protocols for six basic emergency actions to help ensure safety of all individuals on school site in the event of an actual emergency or for various crisis situations: lockdown, lockout/secure, shelter-in-place (including weather shelter), evacuation, hold all classes, and a protocol for release and reunification of students to reunite them with parents/caregivers after an event.
  • The document is intended as guidance to Colorado schools and recommends consultation and development of protocols with community emergency responders, customizing procedures as needed for individual school sites and developing plans for students and staff with special needs. In addition, key messages include that all staff and students be trained through drill and practice, parents informed of protocols, and that schools review plans after all drills and actual events.

Other Emergency Operations Planning Resources

2016 Emergency Guidelines for Schools Manual (EGS)

  • The Emergency Guidelines for Schools Manual (EGS) is meant to provide recommended procedures for school staff that have little or no medical/nursing training to use when the school nurse is not available. It is recommended that staff who are in a position to provide first-aid to students complete an approved first-aid and CPR course. Although designed for a school environment, this resource is equally appropriate for a child care or home setting. The emergency guidelines in this booklet were originally produced by the Ohio Department of Public Safety's Emergency Medical Services for Children Program in 1997. The Colorado Department of Education and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment have revised the guidelines to make it specific for Colorado.

CSDSIP Tabletop Exercises

  • Each CSDSIP Tabletop Exercises presents you and your team with a realistic scenario designed to test your teams emergency  response skills and efficiency of your responsive plan. When completed regularly, these exercises are designed to improve your teams critical thinking and coordination abilities and help build confidence responding to urgent events. However, proper use is the key to the  effectiveness of any tool, so we've created a step-by-step guide to help you get the most out of our Tabletop Exercise Series. 

Door Security and Safety Foundation

  • Advocating for the critical role that the door and hardware industry plays in achieving and maintaining the balance between life safety and security in non-residential construction.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

Get a School Safety Action Plan

  • School Safety Readiness Tool - Assists users in evaluating their respective school's safety posture and provides a tailored Action Plan specific to their individual school's needs. Schools have different needs and considerations that determine how they address school safety. While there isn't a universal school safety plan, you can use the Safety Readiness Tool to get common actions that you should consider to create a safe school environment.

Guide for Developing High-Quality School Emergency Operations Plans

  • This document is created by the U.S. Department of Education, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
  • The Departments issuing this guidance are providing examples of good practices and matters to consider for planning and implementation purposes. The guidance does not create any requirements beyond those included in applicable law and regulations, or create any additional rights for any person, entity, or organization. The information presented in this document generally constitutes informal guidance and provides examples that may be helpful. The inclusion of certain references does not imply any endorsement of any documents, products, or approaches. There may be other resources that may be equally helpful. This guide replaces "Practical Information on Crisis Planning: A Guide for Schools and Communities" (January 2007), which is rescinded.

Guide for Developing High-Quality Emergency Operations Plans for Institutions of Higher Education

  • These guides, published in June 2013, align and build upon years of emergency planning work by the Federal government and, are a joint product of Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of Education (ED) and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on this critical topic. The guides are customized to each community, incorporate lessons learned from recent incidents, and respond to the needs and concerns voiced by stakeholders following the recent shootings in Newtown and Oak Creek and the recent tornadoes in Oklahoma. Schools and institutions of higher education can use these guides to create new plans as well as to revise and update existing plans and align their emergency planning practices with those at the national, state, and local levels.
  • Overview of the Guide for Developing High-Quality School Emergency Operations Plans
    • Webinar from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools, Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools Technical Assistance Center (REMS TA Center), recorded on 6/27/13. REMS TA Center Webinars
    • The guide will help schools develop and implement high-quality emergency operations plans (EOPs), and describes the principles and processes that will help ensure planning efforts are aligned with the emergency planning practices at the national, state, and local levels.
    • These webinars were conducted in collaboration with all of the Federal agencies that worked together to develop the guides, and provided an overview of:
      • the key principles for developing a comprehensive EOP for a school,
      • the planning process for developing, implementing, and refining an EOP for a school,
      • the form, function, and content of a school EOP plan, and
      • topics that support emergency operations planning including, but not limited to, information sharing, school climate, active shooter situations, and psychological first aid for schools.
    • Guide for Developing High-Quality School Emergency Operations Plans - Slides
    • Support Resources
  • Overview of the Guide for Developing High-Quality Emergency Operations Plans for Institutions of Higher Education
    • Webinar from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools, Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools Technical Assistance Center (REMS TA Center), recorded on 6/27/13. REMS TA Center Webinars
    • The guide will help institutions of higher education develop and implement high-quality emergency operations plans (EOPs), and describes the principles and processes that will help ensure planning efforts are aligned with the emergency planning practices at the national, state, and local levels.
    • These webinars were conducted in collaboration with all of the Federal agencies that worked together to develop the guides, and provided an overview of:
      • the key principles for developing a comprehensive EOP for an IHE,
      • the planning process for developing, implementing, and refining an EOP for an IHE,
      • the form, function, and content of an IHE EOP plan, and
      • topics that support emergency operations planning including, but not limited to, information sharing, school climate, active shooter situations, and psychological first aid.
    • Slides
    • Support Resources
Several Online & Distance Learning Courses

School Emergency Management Training Programs

  • The U.S. Departments of Homeland Security and Education recommend all key personnel involved in school emergency management and incident response take the NIMS, ICS, and NRF training courses and support the implementation of NIMS.

IS-100.C: Introduction to the Incident Command System - ICS 100

  • ICS100 introduces the Incident Command System (ICS) and provides the foundation for higher level ICS training courses., This course describes the history and features of ICS as well as the relationship between ICS and the National Incident Management System (NIMS).

IS-120.A: An Introduction to Exercises

  • This course introduces the basics of emergency management exercises. It also builds a foundation for subsequent exercise courses, which provide the specifics of the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) and the National Standard Exercise Curriculum (NSEC).

IS-200.B: ICS for Single Resources & Initial Action Incidents

  • ICS 200 is designed to enable personnel to operate efficiently during an incident or event within the Incident Command System (ICS). ICS-200 provides training on and resources for personnel who are likely to assume a supervisory position within the ICS.

IS-360: Preparing for Mass Casualty Incidents: A Guide for Schools, Higher Education & Houses of Worship

  • This course provides leading practices and resources to assist elementary and secondary schools, institutions of higher education, and houses of worship in developing emergency plans for preparing for, responding to, and recovering from mass casualty incidents.

IS-362.A: Multi-Hazard Emergency Planning for Schools

  • This course covers basic information about developing, implementing, and maintaining a school emergency operations plan (EOP). The goal of this course is to provide students with an understanding of the importance of schools having an EOP and basic information on how an EOP is developed, exercised, and maintained.

IS-366: Planning for the Needs of Children in Disasters

  • The purpose of this course is to provide guidance for Emergency Managers and implementers of children's programs about meeting the unique needs that arise among children as a result of a disaster or emergency.

IS-546.A: Continuity of Operations Planning Awareness

  • This course introduces students to the concept of continuity planning., The course provides a brief overview of continuity, including its definition, the legal basis for continuity planning, the Continuity Program Management Cycle, and essential elements of a viable continuity program.

IS-547.A: Introduction to Continuity of Operations

  • This course is to be completed after taking the IS-546.a: Continuity of Operations Awareness Course. The IS 547.a course describes the Continuity Management Cycle and how it should be used to develop sound continuity of operations plans.

IS-660: Introduction to Public-Private Partnerships

  • This course provides an introduction to the role of public-private partnerships in emergency preparedness and planning. The goal of this training is to establish a common vocabulary for public sector agencies and private sector organizations interested in utilizing partnerships to improve response, recovery, and resilience.

IS-662: Improving Preparedness & Resilience through Public-Private Partnerships

  • Public-private partnerships enhance all aspects of emergency management: preparedness, protection, response, recovery, and mitigation. They do so by engaging in activities such as information sharing, emergency planning, emergency communications, and resource sharing. This course describes how to establish and sustain public-private partnerships, as well as how to communicate and share resources in a partnership.

IS-700.B: An Introduction to the National, Incident Management System (NIMS)

  • This course introduces and overviews the National Incident Management System (NIMS). NIMS provides a consistent nationwide template to enable all government, private-sector, and nongovernmental organizations to work together during domestic incidents.

IS-800.C: National Response Framework - An Introduction

  • The course introduces participants to the concepts and principles of the National Response Framework.

IS-2900.A: National Disaster Recovery Framework (NDRF) Overview

  • This course provides individuals supporting disaster recovery efforts with a foundation in National Disaster Recovery Framework (NDRF) key concepts, core principles and roles and responsibilities of NDRF leadership (including those of individuals and households to governmental entities at the local, State, tribal, and Federal levels, and between public, private and nonprofit sectors).
  • Guidance on Planning for Integration of Functional Needs Support Services in General Population Shelters
    • Published by FEMA in November 2010, this guide is intended to assist emergency managers and shelter planners in understanding the requirements related to sheltering children and adults with functional support needs in general population shelters. These guidelines identify methods of achieving a lawful and equitable program through the delivery of functional needs support services for children and adults.
  • Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation (HSEEP)
    • The Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) is a capabilities and performance-based exercise program that provides a standardized methodology and terminology for exercise design, development, conduct, evaluation, and improvement planning.
    • Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP): A Quick Reference Guide
      • Created by the Center for Infectious Diseases & Emergency Readiness, in the University of California, Berkeley School of Public Health, this document provides a concise introduction and overview of HSEEP.
  • Multi-Use School and Community Shelters (Safe Rooms)
  • National Incident Management System (NIMS)
    • NIMS is a systematic, proactive approach to guide departments and agencies at all levels of government, nongovernmental organizations, and the private sector to work together seamlessly and manage incidents involving all threats and hazards - regardless of cause, size, location, or complexity - in order to reduce loss of life, property and harm to the environment. The NIMS is the essential foundation to the National Preparedness System (NPS) and provides the template for the management of incidents and operations in support of all five National Planning Frameworks.
  • Sample Childcare Emergency Operations Plan
    • This document presents excerpts from a sample child care emergency operations plan (EOP).
  • Sample School Emergency Operations Plan
    • This document presents excerpts from a sample school emergency operations plan (EOP). Common procedures, such as evacuation and parent-student reunification, may differ at the local, tribal, and State level, so they have not been included in the annexes although they are referenced throughout the plan. It is recommended that planners coordinate with local and tribal law enforcement, fire, and emergency managers when developing these procedures. Appendixes are mentioned in the sample EOP for reference purposes only, no appendixes are included in the sample plan.
    • This sample plan is for training purposes only and is based on a fictional school and county. It is important to tailor all emergency operations plans to the specific hazards and needs of your jurisdiction and school district.
  • Special Events Contingency Planning for Public Safety Agencies
    • This course introduces you to planning for or conducting a special event.
    • This is an independent study course from the FEMA Emergency Management Institute.
  • Student Tools for Emergency Planning (STEP) Program
    • A Curriculum for 4th and 5th Grade Students. (Produced by FEMA - Oct. 2015)
  • A Whole Community Approach to Emergency Management: Principles, Themes, and Pathways for Action - (Dec. 2011)
    • This document presents a foundation for increasing individual preparedness and engaging with members of the community as collaborative resources to enhance the resiliency and security of our Nation through a Whole Community approach. The document is intended to promote greater understanding of the approach and to provide a strategic framework to guide all members of the emergency management community as they determine how to integrate Whole Community into their daily practices.

National Association of School Psychologists (NASP)

National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS4)

National School Board Association

Preparing For Emergencies -- [The National Child Traumatic Stress Network | PDF - 273KB]

  • In recent times, wildfires, hurricanes, earthquakes, and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic have all created a number of sudden and unprecedented challenges for communities across the US. These events are important reminders for how crucial preparedness is. Preparing for these events can help to reduce feelings of anxiety, and promote confidence and resilience in families, businesses, schools, and communities. As parents and caregivers, children and teens, mental health providers, educators, and first responders continue to learn how to adapt during this difficult time, the NCTSN has compiled a list of resources to help prepare for emergencies and promote recovery following an event.

Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools (REMS) Technical Assistance (TA) Center

Safe and Sound Schools

  • Safe and Sound Schools mission is to support school crisis prevention, response, and recovery, and to protect every school and every student, every day.
  • Straight-A Safety: The Toolkits are a resource filled with tips and tools for students, teachers and parents covering all aspects of school safety.

School Districts Emergency & Crisis Management Plans Template (Word doc)

  • Provided in 2013 by the Colorado School Districts Self Insurance Pool (CSDSIP)
  • The District Emergency/Crisis Management Plan is designed to address the preparedness for and consequences of any emergency situation that confronts the School District. It is applicable to natural disasters, technological emergencies, school violence, and other incidents affecting the District.
  • The Emergency/Crisis Management Plan describes the basic mechanisms and structures by which the District will respond to threats or events, both natural and man-made. To facilitate the Districts response The Plan uses a functional approach to group the types of actions required into Annexes. The Annexes serve as the primary mechanism through which the District's preparedness and response will be provided based on the requirements of the incident. The District response will be coordinated by the District Superintendent, unless otherwise delegated.

NEW -- SchoolSafety.gov Emergency Planning Resources

  • Preventive and protective actions schools can take to prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergency events, and corresponding guides, tools, and training programs to support emergency planning efforts.

Whitehouse.gov

  • Fentanyl Safety Recommendations for First Responders provides unified, scientific, evidence-based recommendations to first responders so they can protect themselves when the presence of fentanyl is suspected during the course of their daily activities such as responding to overdose calls and conducting traffic stops, arrests, and searches.

 

 

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