SCHOOL SAFETY AND EMERGENCY PLANNING
School safety and security is much more than an emergency plan on file, buzzers at doors and security officers in the halls. Comprehensive school safety and security is understanding your district's hazards and risks, identifying vulnerabilities and gaps, and being prepared to act promptly, decisively, and accurately when an incident occurs. School safety is physical security, hazard recognition, and procedure development combined with diligent practice and critical evaluation of exercise performance. Administrative policies and procedures must align with and support safety and security measures and training and exercises must reinforce appropriate application of safety protocols.
State requirements and guidelines exist to help school districts establish basic plans but combining these requirements with the day-to-day operations of a school district can be challenging. At Resource Solutions Associates, we can help your school cultivate a safety-conscious environment for students and staff. Our experienced consultants can help assess risks, evaluate response resources, develop plans and procedures, implement a training and exercise program, and collaborate with community first responders to develop a comprehensive, community-wide approach to school safety. Our staff is familiar with Ohio's Safe School requirements and can help your district meet these standards and develop a plan that makes your school safer and more prepared for emergencies.
State requirements and guidelines exist to help school districts establish basic plans but combining these requirements with the day-to-day operations of a school district can be challenging. At Resource Solutions Associates, we can help your school cultivate a safety-conscious environment for students and staff. Our experienced consultants can help assess risks, evaluate response resources, develop plans and procedures, implement a training and exercise program, and collaborate with community first responders to develop a comprehensive, community-wide approach to school safety. Our staff is familiar with Ohio's Safe School requirements and can help your district meet these standards and develop a plan that makes your school safer and more prepared for emergencies.
School Emergency Plan Components
School Emergency Operations Plan
The School Emergency Operations Plan (School EOP) outlines the roles and responsibilities of administrators, staff, students, and others in the school community during an emergency, provides protocols for responding to identified threats and hazards, and discusses how the school district interacts with community first responders.
Physical Security Assessments
Per Ohio Department of Education/Department of Homeland Security requirements, schools must conduct physical security assessments of all facilities. RSA can work with your administrators to complete these assessments and prioritize physical security needs for budget purposes.
Training, Drills and Exercises
Training, drills and exercises are a vital element of safety planning and critical to developing a culture of safety and security. Training provides staff with a detailed understanding of safety procedures and expectations; drills and exercises offer the opportunity to practice carrying out the identified procedures in a safe, no-fault environment.
Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment
A Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA) is a critical element in safety planning. It helps school administrators identify the threats and hazards that could impact their district, determine the impact an incident would have on the school and community, and determine what capabilities are needed to prepare for those hazards and threats.
The School Emergency Operations Plan (School EOP) outlines the roles and responsibilities of administrators, staff, students, and others in the school community during an emergency, provides protocols for responding to identified threats and hazards, and discusses how the school district interacts with community first responders.
Physical Security Assessments
Per Ohio Department of Education/Department of Homeland Security requirements, schools must conduct physical security assessments of all facilities. RSA can work with your administrators to complete these assessments and prioritize physical security needs for budget purposes.
Training, Drills and Exercises
Training, drills and exercises are a vital element of safety planning and critical to developing a culture of safety and security. Training provides staff with a detailed understanding of safety procedures and expectations; drills and exercises offer the opportunity to practice carrying out the identified procedures in a safe, no-fault environment.
Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment
A Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA) is a critical element in safety planning. It helps school administrators identify the threats and hazards that could impact their district, determine the impact an incident would have on the school and community, and determine what capabilities are needed to prepare for those hazards and threats.