if you plan to contact your school officials, I offer a list of topics for discussion
1. communication...
administration to classroom...PA announcement, closed circuit TV, classroom phone
classroom to administration...secure means to report potential problem or suspicion... other than classroom phone
dispersed students and teachers during building evacuation events to administration and health professionals
to parents when the news helicopter shows up overhead, and the 911 and school switchboard is jammed
alternate phone contact first responders or SWAT other than 911
2. securing classrooms
supply material to impede door opening...wedges for inward opening doors, and bracing and cordage for outward opening exterior doors
blackout curtains
visual notification of any assistance needed
positioning of students within classroom
3. building evacuations
orderly evacuation with awareness of possible active shooter from a sniper position
backpack policy in case of bomb threat
comminications for routine events... cell phone tree, hand held 2.7GHz cordless phones, FRS handhelds
availability of water
availability of shelter for severe allergy/bee sting
4. medical
remote prepositioning of mass casualty trauma supplies
ready access to student health emergency cards
available nurse, CPR responder, Defibrilator,wheelchair
5. first responders... remote access lockbox for floor plans, DVD of access way, phone plan, master room keys
I was on our schools emergency management committee and helped rewrite the plan after the Columbine tragedy..you will be fighting a bureaucracy that resists change
start with the topic of communication... it typically does not go both ways
Edited by LesSnyder (03/11/12 09:14 PM)