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SPACER
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  Day one — first hour
 
NINE THINGS YOU MUST DO IMMEDIATELY

 
  Assess the crisis

  • What must be done immediately to protect lives? Should the school go on lockdown, evacuate or close off areas of the building or grounds?

  • Are people injured?

  • Is medical attention needed?


Call for assistance

  • Contact police and fire/rescue agencies.

  • Contact leadership and crisis team at district central office.


Mobilize at site

  • Initiate site-based emergency plan.

  • Activate incident command team and protocols.

  • Call for school buses, if needed.

  • Determine if actions (e.g., lockdown) must be taken at neighboring schools.


Gather supplies

 
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  • Collect the “Go Box” with essential supplies. Click here for sample “Go Box” contents.

  • Bring first aid kits.

  • Collect staff and student directories with home phone numbers and emergency contact information.

  • Activate cell phones and walkie-talkies. Keep one phone line open to the district office in case of lines jamming during the crisis.


Communicate to key internal audiences

  • Develop a preliminary statement — what’s happened, what’s the immediate response.

  • Develop a script for people answering phone calls.

  • Disseminate accurate information to staff, district leadership, district communications department and other schools.


Communicate with families

  • Initiate crisis plan parent notification system.

  • Determine how, when and where families will be reunited.

  • Begin external communications.

  • Contact local and state NEA leaders.

  • Communicate with appropriate state and local agencies.

  • Contact school district attorney.


Manage media relations

  • Establish a media briefing area.

  • Work with law enforcement to set a designated area and perimeter for media.

  • Identify the spokesperson (site-based or district official).
 
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  • Provide school and district fact sheets. Click here to download a sample.

  • Hold a press briefing in conjunction with law enforcement.

  • Control rumors by getting facts out as soon as information is verified.

  • Take into account that personal communications tools, such as cell phones and text messaging, allow students to contact media and others directly.


Establish network to account for missing and injured

  • Determine who is safe and who is not accounted for.

  • Establish a liaison with local hospitals, if necessary.


Contact mental health support

  • Request counselors and other trained professionals from neighboring schools.

  • Contact district crisis response team.

  • Contact local mental health agencies or centers.

  • Contact state and national agencies who can provide immediate support to students and staff.


 
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