12 Steps to Comprehensive School Planning

• Begin Basic School Emergency Plan by using EMD website:
  http://www.emd.wa.gov/preparedness/prep_schools.shtml

• Perform a Hazard Assessment of neighborhood and school building.
• Instruct staff to conduct a Classroom Hazard Hunt.
• Identify hazardous materials present in your school building(s).

• Using ICS Job Description, begin forming school disaster teams.  
• Train identified staff on ICS.

• Place Emergency Procedures in school plan.  
• Develop list of needed emergency supplies to support staff and students.
• Acquire identified supplies.

• Implement procedures for Lockdown, Evacuation, and Shelter-in-Place based on the needs and physical configuration of your school.

• Conduct Lockdown, Evacuation, and Shelter-in-Place drills.   
• Evaluate what went right and what needs to be re-evaluated.   
• Make changes in your school plan.

• Refine Parent/Student Reunification procedures and incorporate into the Plan.  

• Enhance procedures for Pandemic Flu.   
• Consider long and short term disruption of classes.   

• Drill/exercise your plan again using ICS principles.

• Develop Mental Health Crisis Plan (coming soon).  
• Identify MHP counselors.

• Present training for school staff on Individual and Family Preparedness.

• Meet with local fire, law enforcement and local Emergency Management, discuss their roll and yours should an emergency or disaster occur at your school.

• Per RCW 28A.320.125 all schools are required to conduct a minimum of 9 drills:
6 fire drills, 1 lockdown, 1 shelter-in-place, and 1 using the School Mapping System.
It further recommends conducting drills for other natural hazard risks such as earthquake, volcano, lahar, and tsunami. Note: Please contact your local responding Fire Department to confirm the number of fire drills that are required by your district.

• Plans must be reviewed and updated on a yearly basis.