NASH-ROCKY MOUNT PUBLIC SCHOOLS JULY 2007
911 CALLS Dial 911 to request emergency assistance (Police, Fire, Ambulance, etc.) Remain calm and give the following information: - Caller s name (your name). - Name and address of the school. - Details of the incident. - Type of emergency assistance needed. - Descriptions. - Time of incident. - Persons involved. - Number of injured and nature of injuries. - Area where public safety personnel should report (main office, front parking lot, etc.) - Name of school contact person to meet upon arrival. Notify principal/designee of any emergency call. Principal will notify superintendent/ designee of any emergency call. EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS Poison Control: 1-800-848-6946 Law Enforcement/Fire/Rescue: 9-1-1 Nash County : 459-7376 Rocky Mount: 972-1414 School Front Office: School Name: School Address: Principal: Name Room # / Area First Responders Other Personnel Qualified in First Aid/CPR Bi/Multilingual Staff members Other 911 CALLS EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS
BOMB THREAT Under no circumstances should untrained personnel attempt to locate or move a suspicious device. By Phone Remain calm and keep the caller on the line as long as possible. Ask the caller to repeat the message and record every word, if possible. All threats should be taken seriously and reported immediately. Try to determine the location of the bomb and its time of detonation. Advise the caller that the building is occupied and detonation could result in death or serious injury to innocent people. Pay particular attention to background noises such as traffic, music, etc. that may indicate where the caller is located. Listen closely to the voice to determine any accent, speech impediment, sex, or unusual characteristics. If the caller can be kept on the line, ask specific questions as indicated on the Bomb Threat Check List. Notify the principal/designee as soon as possible. Activate local call tracing procedures, if available. If appropriate, relocate students to the predetermined safe location. FIRE Active fire alarm. Notify principal/designee. Evacuate the building, closing all doors, to designated areas. Principal/designee will call 911 to provide details of event. Students and staff will return to the building when signal is given that all is safe. School Fire Drill Protocol Call the alarm company to deactivate the alarm. (To place test mode) Call 911 to let them know that we will be having a fire drill. Principal or designee will sound the fire alarm. Evacuate the building, closing all doors, to designated areas. Students and staff will return to the building when signal is given. When fire drill is over, contact the alarm company to reactivate the alarm. BOMB THREAT FIRE
HAZARDOUS MATERIAL SPILLS AND AIRBORNE HAZARDS Hazardous spills, gas leaks, and airborne hazards are likely to occur at any location and any time. If you encounter an unknown material, notify the principal or designee immediately and await further instruction. If the source is in the classroom, evacuate, closing doors, to designated areas. Suspicious materials may be indicated by an unusual odor, symptoms of nausea, headaches, dizziness, blurred vision, etc. GAS LEAKS Gas leaks are identified by an odor similar to rotten eggs. Inside Do not turn on or off any electrical device, including light switches. If the source is in the classroom, evacuate, closing doors, to designated areas. Contact the principal or designee. HOSTAGE SITUATION Notify the principal/designee. The principal or designee will determine if Lockdown or other procedures should be initiated. Teachers must take accurate count of students and notify main office of any who are missing. Students and teachers will remain in areas designated by principal or designee until the allclear announcement is made. If Taken Hostage Cooperate with the hostage-taker to the fullest extent possible. Do not panic. Calm students. Treat the hostage-taker as normally as possible. Be respectful. Ask permission to speak; do not argue. Outside Move upwind of the gas odor and turn off all automobile engines in the area. Notify the principal or designee. HAZARDOUS MATERIAL SPILLS HOSTAGE SITUATION AND AIRBORNE HAZARDS
LOCKDOWN PROCEDURE All lockdowns should be considered an extreme emergency. Principal or designee will announce that the school is in lockdown mode. Principal or designee will turn off the school s bell system. Every student who is out of class, but inside the building, is to go to the nearest occupied classroom. Close and lock all doors immediately. Turn off lights and close blinds or shades. Have students seated on the floor away from windows and doors (interior wall if possible). If students are already outside of the building, move them to a safe and inconspicuous area (somewhere out of the view of the school) until otherwise instructed. Use red and green cards to communicate with law enforcement. - Green card display card in exterior window and slide a second card under door to advise that all is safe in the classroom. LOCKDOWN PROCEDURE CONT D During lockdown, principal or designee will contact classrooms to check status using intercom/phone. Do not open or unlock doors for anyone. Personnel needing access will have keys. In the event the intruder gains access to the room, when called by the office include principal s name in your response. Do not leave the classroom until contacted and escorted out by law enforcement. In the event the intruder gains access to the room and begins shooting, have students run out of classroom and out of the building with hands raised. (This is the only time that you would leave the room without waiting for law enforcement to escort you from the building.) Teachers should remain with students until dismissed by authorities. [Schools should input their individual Lockdown plan here] - Red card display card in exterior window and slide a second card under door to advise that emergency assistance is needed as soon as possible. - No card in the event no card is displayed, law enforcement will assume the intruder is in the classroom. LOCKDOWN
MEDICAL EMERGENCIES AND ALLERGIC REACTIONS Medical Emergencies Solicit help from a staff member to relocate the class, if appropriate. Follow Emergency Action plan. Notify the principal, designee, nurse or first responder who will follow Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Procedures if blood or other bodily fluids are present. Allergic Reactions Mask and gloves should be worn at any time persons are exposed to bodily fluids. Notify the principal and school nurse/first responder. Look for medical alert bracelet or necklace. Administer emergency Epinephrine, if necessary. This should be done by the school nurse or other trained personnel. Keep the victim safe from hazards. Follow Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Procedures if blood or other bodily fluids are present. Death of a Student or Staff Member Notify the front office to call 911 if necessary. Notify the principal and school nurse/first responder team. Keep all students and uninvolved staff away from the scene. Solicit help from another teacher to relocate the class, if necessary. SEVERE WEATHER Severe weather updates and appropriate procedures will be announced by the principal/designee. Severe Weather Watch means conditions are favorable for development within 24-36 hours. No action other than preparation is required at this time. Severe Weather Warning/Tornado Warning, Severe Thunderstorm Warning means conditions have produced severe weather within the county. Actions should be taken to protect lives and property. Tornado Warning: Principal or designee will sound tornado alarm using one long bell tone. When a tornado warning or special instructions are issued, seek shelter in predetermined safe areas. Teachers will take red and green cards and student information directory with them. Students and staff will return to classrooms when signal is given that all is safe. Safety After Severe Weather: Remain calm Take appropriate actions to care for students. Evacuate students to a safe location away from dangerous areas (downed power lines, broken glass, etc.). Teachers should remain with students until dismissed by authorities. MEDICAL EMERGENCIES SEVERE WEATHER AND ALLERGIC REACTIONS
SUICIDAL IDEATION/THREATS Acting to prevent a potential suicide always overrides the need to honor confidentiality between yourself and a student. If a child discloses either directly to you in conversation or indirectly (e.g., through someone else or through an art or writing assignment) that he or she has had thoughts about suicide, it is essential that you take action immediately. If, for example, disclosure occurs during an early morning class period, report it then, not several hours later after school has ended for the day. Inform the counseling office/principal (they will contact parents/guardians, and mental health, etc.). Provide escort for the student to the appropriate counselor or responder do not leave student unattended. Keep all other students and uninvolved staff away from the student. Work with counseling office to develop a plan for the student s peers on how to relate to and support the student. SUICIDE ATTEMPT INVOLVING INJURY Notify the principal/designee and the nurse/first responder. Notify the front office to dial 911 if necessary. Do not attempt to forcibly disarm the individual designated school personnel are trained for this type of situation. Keep all students and uninvolved staff away from the scene. The principal or designee will determine if Lockdown procedures should be initiated. UNAUTHORIZED VISITOR An unauthorized visitor is anyone without proper visible identification. Politely greet unauthorized visitor and identify yourself. If presence is not justified, direct or escort the visitor to the front office. Notify the front office about the visitor immediately and describe his/her appearance. The principal or designee will determine if Lockdown procedures should be initiated. VIOLENCE / ASSAULTIVE BEHAVIOR There is no accurate or useful profile of students who engage in violent behavior. Rather than trying to determine the type of student who may engage in violence, focus instead on a student s behavior and communication. Take ALL threats seriously if violence is imminent, dial 911. Notify the principal or designee of any threat, if possible. Document all actions taken, noting the names of those involved and the dates. The principal or designee will determine if Lockdown procedures should be initiated. WEAPONS Do not attempt to disarm or subdue a subject that is armed or suspected to be armed. Notify principal or designee and school resource officer/911 of any firearm/weapon incident immediately. The principal or designee will determine if Lockdown procedures should be initiated. Abandoned/discarded firearms/weapons should be preserved by appropriate covering and never left unattended. SUICIDAL IDEATION UNAUTHORIZED VISITORS / VIOLENCE - SUICIDE ATTEMPT / THREATS ASSAULTIVE BEHAVIOR / WEAPONS
I. COMMUNICATION LINKS AND PROTOCOL A. Administration: The building principal or ranking administrator is THE decision maker for the building under crisis. Until appropriate assistance arrives, decisions will be made in concert with building staff, central administration and emergency response agencies, utilizing incident command system. B. Administrative Communication Protocol Sound secure room alert. Use the script below to make an announcement: This is Principal (give name) speaking. (If principal is not in building when Lockdown occurs next in command would take over). This is not a drill. We are under an emergency lockdown. Please remain calm and stay in your classrooms until you are notified to do otherwise. If you are in the courtyard, hallways or parking lots, please move calmly and quickly to a safe room. Staff will assist you. Remain there until notified to do otherwise. (Pause here to make sure everyone is settled and listening). We will provide continuous updates for as long as the threat exists. If a medical emergency arises, call the main office to report it. We will advise you regarding movement of the patient based on the risk factors or will dispatch assistance as soon as safely possible. Here is what we know at this time: Give a complete update here... then continue giving updates at a rate of every 15 minutes. Please check your Groupwise for further updates. Use cell phone links set up under protocol. II. STAFF ASSIGNMENTS A. Custodians Turn off fire alarm system for the duration of the emergency when instructed. Lock perimeter doors if it can be done safely. Assist with containment in safe rooms if the emergency occurs during lunch or other non-class time. Move to contained location for further information/instructions. CRISIS MANAGEMENT PLAN
B. Office Staff Lock office and move to pre-determined secured area. Get out cell phones. Set up communication protocol. C. Teaching/Classified Staff: Assist with containment. If not assigned to students at the time of crisis, wait for instructions. Under no circumstances should you release students until instructed to do so. III. CLASSROOM SUPPLY LIST (RECOMMENDED) A tube of cake icing (for diabetic shock) Cell phone Emergency bathroom container (trash can / extra trash bags) First aid kit Gloves Pencil/paper Water IV. THREATS A. Bomb Threats It's a felony to make a threat or pull a hoax involving a school, students, or teachers. A threatening note could result in long-term suspension and a revoked driver's license. The school will trace all threatening calls and the caller will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. If you have information about threats to schools or students, contact local police or sheriff's departments immediately. CRISIS MANAGEMENT PLAN
B. Severe Weather Severe Weather Watch: Means conditions are favorable for development within 24-36 hours. No action other than preparation is required at this time. Turn on a radio or television (tune to weather channel if available). Continue regular classroom activities. If necessary, weather updates will be announced by principal or designee. Severe Weather Warning: Means conditions have produced severe weather within the county. Actions should be taken to protect lives and property. Tornado Warning: Seek shelter in predetermined safe areas. Students and staff will immediately evacuate the classrooms and proceed to a predetermined area. Stay away from windows and skylights. Assume a kneeling position toward the wall and cover the back of head and neck with hands. Face away from the area with greatest potential for injury from possible flying glass. Avoid gymnasiums, auditoriums, cafeterias, or other areas with long roof spans. These are more dangerous areas during very strong wind (tornado) conditions. Teachers must take roll and notify the principal if someone is missing. Do not return to the classrooms until the principal or designee declares it safe. Severe Thunderstorm Warning: If outside, return to the building for shelter. Remain indoors and calm students. Stay away from skylights and windows. Winter Storm Warning: Indicates that some form of frozen precipitation (snow, sleet, freezing rain, etc.) is occurring, which might provide significant accumulation on the ground. Remain indoors and calm students. The administration, in consultation with the Department of Transportation, will provide direction on the handling of students and/or transport of students to their homes. CRISIS MANAGEMENT PLAN
Exact words used in the threat. BOMB THREAT CHECKLIST (A copy of this list should be placed beside each phone.) Time call received: Time call ended: Date: Call received from: Questions to ask the caller Where is the bomb right now? What does the bomb look like? What kind of bomb is it? What will set the bomb off? Did you place the bomb? Why? What is your address? What is your name? Answers Language used by the caller Characteristics of caller s voice Check all that are discernable Background noise Foul Accent Well-spoken Taped Incoherent Irrational Male Female Laughing Calm Crying Deep Angry Normal Ragged Accent Raspy Young Slow Slurred Distinct Rapid Nasal Excited Soft Stutter Disguised Loud Lisp Cracked Old Heavy breathing Familiar Sounds like Motors Voices Long distance Booth Children s voices Restaurant or kitchen noises Clear Street sounds Factory noises Music Household noises Office machines CRISIS MANAGEMENT PLAN (Bomb Threat Checklist)