4 Best Practices for K-12 Emergency Management

Hope is not a strategy for school safety; planning is. K-12 schools are subject to several potential emergencies, from security threats to natural disasters, and their ability to respond successfully depends on how well they have prepared.

This article covers best practices for emergency management that assist schools in protecting lives, reducing risks, and responding confidently under pressure. 

If you are a school administrator, safety officer, or member of a crisis response team, these strategies will help strengthen your emergency protocols and create a conducive learning environment for everyone.

4 Best Practices for K-12 Emergency Management

Effective emergency management is vital for K-12 schools to protect students and staff. These best practices give school leaders a clear roadmap to prepare for, respond to, and recover from any crisis. Embrace a proactive approach by implementing these four key strategies.

Intervene Before Crises

Effective emergency management in schools depends on proactive intervention. Instead of waiting for a disaster to occur, school administrators should focus on early detection and prevention. 

This involves conducting thorough risk assessments to uncover possible dangers specific to the school environment. Having open discussions about safety concerns with the school community, students, and teachers can also reveal potential challenges before they escalate. 

Additionally, implementing initiatives that encourage anti-bullying, mental health awareness, and conflict resolution can help address underlying issues that could cause emergencies. Frequent workshops and training sessions can equip staff and students with the knowledge and skills to spot and handle early warning indicators of crises.

By cultivating a culture of alertness and open communication, school admins can proactively handle potential threats to create a safer learning environment.

Prepare, Respond, Recover

Emergency management entails preparation, response, and recovery phases. In the preparation phase, your emergency operations plan should cover procedures for different incidents, from security threats to natural disasters.

Additionally, regular drills help familiarize the school community with these safety measures, facilitating quick actions during real-life incidents. When there’s an actual emergency, prioritizing clear communication is crucial. 

Mass notification EMS software allows for quick and effective information dissemination. School safety officers can assign permissions and roles to staff members for coordinated efforts and to minimize confusion and chaos.

Then, post-incident recovery focuses on establishing normalcy. After a crisis, school admins should assess and repair damaged infrastructure and review the event’s live footage to improve future responses. Addressing all three phases fosters schools’ readiness against emergencies.

Evolve as Needs Change

Threats can vary at different times, making it necessary to review and update emergency plans to maintain relevance. This includes implementing lessons learned from previous events and adapting to new methodologies or technologies. 

Continuous professional development also equips employees with relevant information about current and emerging threats and best practices. School administrators can collaborate with other schools to share perspectives and resources. 

Overall, being flexible and committed to continuous improvement are critical for maintaining effective emergency management as needs evolve.

Be Successful

Success is measured by the effectiveness and efficiency of your emergency management practices, along with the well-being of your school community. To achieve this, schools should adopt a holistic approach:

• K-12 school owners must prioritize safety by ensuring all emergency protocols are in place and establishing a culture of preparedness. 

• Having a solid relationship with parents, local emergency services, and community organizations promotes support and cooperation during a disaster.

• Regular evaluations, feedback implementation, and updates to emergency plans guarantee the effectiveness of EMS practices in K-12 schools.

Implementing these practices ensures that emergency management becomes an integral part of K-12 schools, facilitating a safe and supportive learning atmosphere.

What Goes into Schools’ Emergency Procedures?

A well-prepared school can overcome anything. Knowing what makes up a comprehensive emergency procedure is the first step to safety. Below is a breakdown of the core components schools require to maintain safety during emergencies.

Emergency Drills

Emergency drills, including medical response, tornado, armed intruder, AED, and lockdown, prepare staff and students for potential threats. These drills may take place during lunch, class, or even unannounced to ensure constant readiness.

Although some emergency drills are planned, the spontaneous ones are essential for spotting loopholes. Moreover, involving first responders (like EMS, the police, the fire department, or 911) can provide external feedback to improve school safety. Emergency management plans/procedures account for everyone during emergencies.

Individual Safety/Action Plans

These plans are especially for employees or students requiring special attention during disasters. They could be threat-related plans, medical plans, or no-contact orders. Incidents are captured live by the EMS system, which is accessible to school administrators, counselors, and teachers.

In addition, these action plans may demand adjustments to student schedules, seating, or assigning trusted employees for added support. This way, internal conflicts and external threats are easily managed, which guarantees safety and reduces risks for vulnerable persons within the school.

Facilities/Maintenance Coordinator

This person, usually the assistant principal or lead custodian, supplies information about shutting off the gas, electricity, or water in case of chemical leaks, fires, or other hazards. Their knowledge prevents additional damage and danger.

The facilities/maintenance coordinator plays an integral role during emergencies regarding the school building. They also assist emergency personnel with access to important infrastructure and building systems during crises.

First Aid Coordinator

The first aid coordinator, who is often the school nurse, manages all urgent medical needs during an emergency. They check for injuries, provide first aid, and determine whether an individual needs emergency medical services. 

This role is essential for managing immediate health concerns, handling medical supplies, and supporting students and staff until professional medical help is available. They also care for students with known health conditions to ensure personalized responses during emergencies.

Counseling Coordinator

The next person who makes up the school emergency procedure/plan is the director of guidance, who serves as the counseling coordinator. 

This school official tracks student locations and schedules, particularly during evacuation or power outages. They facilitate reunification by understanding where students are meant to be.

Communications Director

During emergencies, the communications director ensures clear and quick information dissemination to parents. They manage high volumes of incoming calls, respond to reunification inquiries, and provide updates on student safety. 

In the era of social media and rumors, this position is critical for preventing misinformation and helping families stay updated. The communications director is often the lead secretary or receptionist.

Action Plans for Schools

In K-12 education, the right plan sets you up for a successful emergency response. This emergency operations plan (EOP) is a thorough guide detailing the specific actions students, teachers, and staff should take before, during, and after various emergency incidents.

However, this plan is not a one-size-fits-all document; it’s strictly designed to address the unique needs of different school communities. Creating a strong EOP requires collaboration among administrators, teachers, first responders, mental health professionals, local emergency management personnel, and public health officials.

This collaboration ensures an extensive plan that complies with regional and community emergency plans. But regular reviews and updates are needed to adapt to changes within the school environment. 

Generally, a comprehensive and frequently updated emergency operations plan, developed collaboratively and backed by continuous training, is essential for maintaining safety in K-12 schools.

Why is Coram EMS (Emergency Managment System) a Good Choice for K-12?

Coram’s emergency management system (EMS) makes it easy and safe to trigger an alert. All employees in a K-12 school, including teachers, should install the Coram EMS app on their smartphones. 

Once an individual identifies a potential threat, such as an intruder or someone with a firearm, they can send out a discreet alert immediately through the app. This action notifies everyone within the school and triggers the access control system to make immediate decisions, such as lockdowns, evacuations, and more. 

Coram’s EMS stands out because it swiftly integrates with video surveillance and access control systems, all in one standalone platform. Unlike other platforms that offer these features separately, Coram unifies them, eliminating the need to juggle multiple systems.

Besides these, other features that make Coram’s EMS a good choice for K-12 schools include the following:

• Automated Emergency Triggers. If your surveillance cameras detect an event, such as a break-in, fire, slip and fall, smoke, or firearm detection, they can automatically initiate an emergency protocol. This helps to protect your school premises.

• Smart Access Control. Coram’s EMS includes a built-in access control system. If it spots a threat, the EMS can lock all doors automatically. You can even send out an alert from a live camera feed, which then signals the access control system to act immediately.

• Multi-device Access. The EMS app supports mobile, desktop, and iOS devices. Using the desktop app, admins can customize emergency types, assign trigger permissions, and define automated response actions based on specific scenarios.

• Scalable for Schools. Coram’s EMS provides total flexibility for multiple campuses in a school district. It is designed to scale with both small and large teams. Ultimately, the Coram emergency management software provides a comprehensive solution to keep your school teachers, students, and entire workforce safe during crises.

Conclusion

Being prepared for emergencies is no longer optional; it’s essential. By implementing these key strategies and best practices, K-12 schools can build a solid foundation for safety, respond quickly to emergencies, and recover swiftly. 

This brings peace of mind to students, staff, and parents and builds trust in the school’s preparedness. The goal is not to react when something goes wrong; it’s to be adequately prepared before it does.