Portsmouth Safe Schools Team Emergency Management Guide 2003
Portsmouth Safe Schools Team
The mission of the Portsmouth Safe Schools Team is to promote a safe learning environment for the children of the Portsmouth School District through proper planning and interagency cooperation and collaboration. The Portsmouth Safe Schools Team is comprised of representatives of the Portsmouth School Department, Portsmouth Fire and Police Departments, Department of Justice, City and County Attorneys, parents and community. These parties have come together to form a partnership and protocols for information sharing and promoting safety for all members of the school community.
Emergency Management Team
Maintaining a safe, secure and prepared environment for students and staff is essential for an effective emergency response plan within our schools. A prepared emergency management team as well as a prepared and knowledgeable staff will provide for the safety, security and well being of the school community during and following an event. Our school guidelines are based on the principles of the NH Office of Emergency Management (CEMPS) program: Comprehensive Emergency Management Planning for Schools. Each school in the Portsmouth School Department has an Emergency Management Team comprised of Teachers, Principal, Custodian, Counselor, Nurse, Secretary, Resource Officer, Parent and Community members. This team meets on a regular basis to review school safety, preparedness and response procedures.
Preparation and Planning Ahead for an emergency
Everyone in your family as well as in your classroom should know what to do in case of an emergency. Safety plans for the home and school should be formed and discussed. 1. It is very important to plan ahead and be prepared at home, in your workplace and at school. 2. Be prepared for your response to multiple hazards, man made or natural disasters. 3. Review safety plans with your family and your students. 4. Talk with your friends, neighbors and co-workers, so you can help each other if necessary. 5. Have first aid supplies set up at home, your car and at school. 6. Enroll in a first aid or CPR class. 7. Review fire drill or building evacuation procedures. 8. Review building safety terms such as evacuation and lock down and shelter in place. 9. Be aware of location of classroom first aid kits, fire exits, fire extinguishers and pull stations. 10. Staff should do a yearly hazard inspection to look for heavy objects on tops of shelves that could topple and for cords that may be trip hazards. Report concerns to school safety committee. 11. Each classroom should have a first aid kit that contains gloves, gauze and band-aids. Tissues or paper towels should also be readily available in the classroom for use by students and staff.
First Response
In response to a crisis or an emergency: 1. Remain calm. 2. The first person to be aware of a situation takes immediate action and directs students and staff to safety. 3. Contact the office to notify the Principal and school resource officer of the situation. 4. Contact the school nurse if situation involves a medical emergency. 5. Remain quiet in order to hear further instructions. 6. Document the situation and the action taken.
Medical Emergency
When an individual needs medical/nursing care: 1. Stay with the injured individual. 2. Call or designate someone to contact the school nurse by phone or radio 3. Inform secretary of nature of emergency. 4. Secretary will call school nurse and EMS at 99911. Secretary will assign someone to stand by at main entrance and await arrival of Portsmouth Fire Department and escort them to location of emergency.
Universal Precautions
Routine procedure of reporting and cleaning after a blood or vomit spill: 1. All wounds should be covered before sending student to school nurse for treatment. 2. Wear gloves when caring for any wounds. 3. Mop up the spill with paper towels or other absorbent material using gloves. 4. Keep other students away from area. 5. Contact office to alert custodian to clean ASAP with an appropriate solution such as
one part household bleach in ten parts of water (approximately ½ cup bleach in one gallon of water). Solution should be mixed every 24 hours.
Chemical Spill or Hazardous Material Exposure
If spill occurs: 1. Contact custodian. 2. Follow instructions contained on Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for spilled or exposed chemical. 3. Administer first aid, and alert school nurse. 4. Call 911 for Fire Department and HAZMAT team. 5. Give location and chemical information if known. 6. If life threatening, evacuate area immediately. 7. Alert school administration, call for Shelter in place procedures.
Evacuation
Reverse Evacuation
This technique may be used to clear the This technique may be used to bring all building for any reason. Evacuation routes students and staff safely into the building. and alternate routes should be practiced 1. The first person aware of a situation directs the students regularly including people with disabilities. and staff to enter the building.
1. Follow classroom evacuation plan as posted in each classroom. 2. Bring attendance records and emergency materials. 3. Close door upon exiting classroom. 4. Take the closest and safest way out of the building. 5. If your classroom is next to bathroom, check it upon exiting. 6. Walk, do not run. 7. Do not stop for belongings unless instructed. 8. Go to your designated emergency assembly area. Assemble by homerooms/classrooms. 9. Begin student and staff accountability. Take attendance. 10. Report missing students/staff to guidance counselor, or designee. 11. Check for injuries. 12. Remain quiet and wait for further instructions. 2. Walk into the building. 3. Report to a designated area such as the gym, cafeteria, or classroom. 4. Notify the office/Principal. 5. Check for injuries. 6. Begin student accounting. 7. Remain quiet for further instructions.
Lock Down
This technique is used to clear the hallways and common areas of all students and staff and secure them in rooms.
1. Students and staff report to the nearest classroom. 2. Close the doors and windows. Lock them if a lock is available. 3. Draw the shades and cover the door window if possible and shut off lights. 4. Students, staff, and visitors should not leave the room for any reason. 5. Move to the corner of the room that is furthest away from windows and doors. 6. Take attendance to account for all students and staff. 7. Do not answer if someone knocks on the classroom door. 8. Remain quiet and wait for further instructions.
Shelter in Place
This technique is used to shelter students and staff safely in classrooms within the building.
1. The hallways should be cleared immediately. 2. Students and staff should report to the nearest classroom. 3. Close all windows and doors. Seal any openings if necessary. 4. Do not allow anyone to leave the room unless an all clear is given. 5. Emergency bathroom use only with a buddy. 6. Stay away from all doors and windows. 7. Use classroom phones only for life threatening emergencies. 8. Remain quiet for further instructions.
Drop and Cover
This technique is used to immediately protect students and staff from an explosion, gunfire, earthquakes or a tornado.
1. Drop to the ground under a table or desk. “Hit the deck”. 2. Face away from any windows and cover your eyes by leaning your face against your arms. 3. Hold on to the desk or table. 4. Stay put until instructed to get up. 5. If outside drop to the ground and protect your head. 6. Immediately following event begin student and staff accounting. 7. Remain quiet to listen for instructions.
Scan in Place
This technique is used in the case of a bomb threat.
1. Remain calm. 2. Put your hands in your pockets or at your side. 3. Look around your room for anything that you are unable to identify. 4. Do not move, open or touch a suspicious object. 5. Do not use the walkie-talkies or cell phones. 6. Calmly inform the designated personnel assigned to your area. 7. Remain quiet and wait for further instructions.
Suspected Child Abuse or Neglect
Each person to whom a child discloses abuse or neglect has a legal responsibility to respond and report it. Any person who has reason to suspect that a child has been abused and/or neglected must make a report to DCYF. NH state law RSA 169-C. Teacher or staff confided in by child shall consult immediately with counselor, nurse and/or administrator. These individuals will team together to assist child. Teacher or the appropriate member of team will make a report to the Division of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) 800-894-5533.
Potential suicide risk
Verbal and nonverbal suicidal gestures are considered serious and should be immediately reported to school counselor, nurse, administrator or school resource officer who will team together to assist the individual. Death themes in spoken, written or artistic schoolwork should be reported. Any marked behavior changes should be reported to school counselor immediately.
Suspected Substance Use
If an individual is suspected of having ingested pills or be under the influence of alcohol or other drugs, notify the Principal or Dean of Students who will escort the student to the Nurse for evaluation. The Nurse will team with guidance counselor, SRO and building administrator in the evaluation process.
Reporting of threats
Verbal or written threats to hurt, harm, or harass are considered serious and will be handled seriously and professionally. Verbal or written threats concerning weapons, use of weapons, or any type of criminal threatening should be reported immediately to the Principal or the Dean of Students or Assistant, or School Resource Officer. Any form of harassment or threatening action or verbal threatening or journal entry must be reported. Examples include hearing a statement such as, “I’m going to kill someone.” “I’m going to beat him/her up after school.” “I have a gun in my locker.” “I will bring a knife in my backpack.”
After care and recovery
The aftermath of a crisis is a time for students and staff to put the event in perspective. Individuals may be emotionally and physically exhausted and the time is appropriate to search for meaning in the situation, understand and accept their own emotional reactions, and increase their ability to cope with future situations. Within several days of an event, a voluntary meeting for staff members along with members of the emergency response team may be held to solicit reactions to the incident and input for future improvement. Emphasis can be on continued mutual support and ways staff can care for themselves. Such a meeting is a useful method to bring closure to the first phase of the crisis and provides an opportunity to acknowledge the efforts of staff. Debriefing during and after a crisis event allows individuals to process experiences. The purpose is not so much to gather information but to be able to vent feelings, bolster morale, prevent post-traumatic stress and foster teamwork. Give each participant an opportunity to describe the activities of the day. What was the role of each in containing and resolving the crisis? What was learned? Provide for follow-up services for those affected the most. Traumatic experiences can result in post-traumatic stress or have a continuing influence on a child's vulnerability to psychological problems.
Recovery
Every child will have different feelings and reactions in response to stressful events. Feelings may include emotions related to a sense of loss or a fear of loss of control and loss of stability. Children may be able to express their emotions verbally, or they may develop somatic complaints such as nausea, stomachache, or fatigue. Be prepared for tears, as crying is a normal and healthy reaction, even though it may make some uncomfortable. Some of the stages of feelings a child may experience include denial, anger, depression, and acceptance. Not every child will experience all of these feelings, and the feelings will not always happen in this order, may occur only once, or be experienced for the same amount of time to the same degree. Recognize that some students who are traumatized by critical news may be very quiet or seem to be in a daze, and some may cry. SOME THINGS YOU CAN DO to help your child/student after an event: Set aside some time to talk together, but more especially to listen. Discuss the facts related to the event, what to do to increase feelings of safety, who to talk to for answers to various questions. Acknowledge that these events are difficult and frightening. If you have any questions regarding your student’s, your child’s or your own feelings, emotions or behaviors please contact a school counselor for support. Our school counselors are a great resource for our children and our staff. This document is for distribution to all staff of Portsmouth Schools. A copy of the entire Portsmouth Schools Emergency Management Plan is located in the Principal’s Office. Each classroom will have the same information in a Flip chart guide for posting with building evacuation (fire exit directions) procedures, next to the classroom door. BCP/2002