Hi all, been away for a while due to the time constraints of a new job. Part of the new responsibilities are as crisis manager at a 9-12 prep school. For all intents and purposes, there is no crisis plan here. Among the many directions I've been looking is for a BOB for every classroom, and eventually for admin staff as well. Does anyone have a reference for something like this?

I think you are in uncharted territory. I will ASSUME (we all know how that is spelled) that you are referring to a "Classroom BoB" in the event a "Lockdown" would be required.

Here are my thoughts (shelter, water, heat, food):

1) (water) At least one 20oz bottle of water per student + teacher
2) (security) The means (eg: Mechanic's wire) to secure all classroom doors and windows from the inside.
3) (entertainment) One deck of cards for every 4 students and perhaps a board game for every 4 students.
4) (hygiene) Select a location in the classroom that a temporary bathroom can be established using a couple of dark sheets to provide privacy, 13 gallon trashbags to line a trashcan to make a porta-potty and 3-4 rolls of Toilet Paper, and a large can of Lysol disinfectant.
5) (communications) A cell phone (if the teacher/students are not allowed to have them in the classroom) with ICE numbers for help (911), and any other pertinent numbers.
6) (medical) A FAK with emphasis on trauma type dressings.

This ASSUMEs a great deal; that a Lockdown probably will not last more than a 12 hr period, and is primarily some violent type of threat on campus that the friendly, local, neighborhood SWAT team is going to be responding to and cleaning up.

In regards to having a BoB for other situations, the "buddy system" would probably work best in the case that your students live on campus, I would suggest a BoB for each Dormitory room and the occupants are responsible for procuring the items and maintaining the BoB's. These would be comprised of standard 72 Hr kit items for two persons.

If the students live at home, then I would recommend handing out the standard USA Gov't preparedness info and leave those decisions (or lack thereof) to the parents,individual households.

I recommend that we work this particular problem to a realistic solution that you can apply in the real world and then we could tackle the question of a Teacher's BoB.

Maybe research California's schools. I bet a few districts like
San Francisco have a standard for student disaster prep.

Long time no hear, I was starting to think you were gone for good.

Wildman raised the key point- is this a bugging out or locking down bag? I've never seen a school that wasn't preselected as a shelter location, so bugging out might be going against the flow of traffic. If it isn't a security issue, what kind of issues are you thinking about, and since it is a prep school, if it is private, do you have dormies, townies or both?

Keep more TP on hand. If its a real threat, you're going to have a lot of VERY nervous people in a relatively small area.

Do your doors lock from the inside? The classrooms at VA Tech didn't, apparently based on the thought that "it won't happen here".

What is mechanic's wire?

Sue

Since 1999, it has been California law that each public school principal write and maintain a School Safety Plan. Every site will be different. At my high school, the JROTC commander was closely involved with developing the emergency procedures. Red backpacks with the room number written on it are kept in all rooms (not just classrooms.) The backpack contains an extremely minimal first aid kit (restocked at the end of every year, and as needed at the nurse's office), a spiral bound booklet of emergency numbers and procedures, a cheap flashlight and batteries, class rosters (for classrooms), a laminated sign with the room number, extra paper and writing implements.

There are two onsite and two offsite assembly areas. There are at least two drills per year for different scenarios (fire/disaster/lockdown.) Every classroom has a landline, at least one networked computer and closed circuit television. (Administration, security, custodians and key staff also have radios.) Every student is given a planner at the beginning of the year which contains a map of school, the evacuation routes and where each classroom meets in the assembly area. (Map is also posted in each classroom.) There are also procedures for before/after school and between classes.

Hope this helps!

"Since 1999, it has been California law that each public school principal write and maintain a School Safety Plan."

So... who enforces it?

HEY, SCHOOLS! YOU'VE GOT A TEST TODAY!!!

Sue

Your post made me think of why a school needs a BoB for the students:

For Pudget Sound area - Mt Rainier - every student would need a BoB as their plans (per my VERY limited understanding) call for walking to high ground when the volcano alarm sounds.

For Tornado Alley(s): Every student would need a BoB for a "post" tornado recovery period.

Near LNG facilities: Every student would need a BoB for a fast evacuation if an alarm sounded.

Earthquake country: Already covered better than any offerings I have!

What other reason(s) would a local area have to prepare their students for rapid Bugging Out until Parents could reunite their children.

Thanks everyone, good suggestions as always.

To answer some of the questions:
We are boarding and day student
I am trying to cover all bases, so both shelter in place and bug out
Classroom doors do not lock from the inside - I will need to look at that.

This is not going to be an overnight fix, unfortunately. My first chore is finding out who has what kind of experience that can be utilized in an emergency. Then I'll start collecting gear. Of course there's no budget for this so I'll need to do some shopping around as well.

Malpaso,

I congratulate you on trying to solve this problem with your school. My experience in education leaves me to believe that most schools stick their heads in the sand and try to convince themselves that "it won't happen here."

The school were I teach hasn't moved very far on the planning. Just worked out evacuation plans and "lock-down" procedures. They unfortunately haven't identified nor provided necessary supplies for the classroom in case of emergency.

I keep some materials locked in my file cabinet (FAK, work gloves, flashlight, utility knife, etc.) but that's all out of my own pocket.

Good luck and thanks for the thread. I've decided to update my kit of supplies.

You might want to start with a rubber door stop and/or some other expedient for blocking entrance. The ideas above are good, basic urban survival gear. The biggest issue will be secure storage in the classroom.

Sounds like you've got a good handle on the direction you want to head. The first question I would ask is, do the class rooms already have first aid kits in them? First aid kits and first aid training for staff would be my first concern. Its far more likely a student will be injured in an accident in the classroom then a major emergency will occur. Plus that gives you a strong base to build from, I think every teacher will easily see the need for basic first aid. And its an easy expense to justify.

Then you can ramp things up. We all know mental preparedness is key number one, if the staff aren't used to thinking in a survival mindset you'll have to ease them into it. Jumping in too hard and fast my engender a lot of resistance.

+1 on the FAK. That and something to block the door (like the teacher's desk if tipped and some wedges) is where I would start. Individual class rooms are hard to do.

Making sure the dining hall has the ability to handle the students + faculty + staff + 50% (parents heading there) for three meals with water would be my next stop. That and a genny with an autostart that is run off your heating oil/gas supply.

Consider a hasp like you would lock a storage shed. Provide a rod attached with light chain to lock it. It's not pretty but is inexpensive & simple to operate and can be installed in minutes per door with little skill.

It would also be a good temporary solution until funds/time permit upgrading.

edit

Something similar to this.

Light wire similar to what is in the PSP.

I apologize for not answering your question right away Susan.

My thanks to you, UTAlumnus, for taking care of my slackness.

"...What is mechanics wire?..."

Here is a little more info. Mechanics wire is kindasorta a generic term for a wire that is easily (well, kind of) bent/twisted with the bare hands. Good for wiring all kinds of stuff together. With pliers/multitool you can really hook things up. Handy stuff to have around...

Welcome Newguy!!!

Two words to remember when you start thinking about putting locks on classroom doors:

FIRE CODES

It depends on where you are, seating capacity of the room and so forth, but local fire codes may restrict the way you can lock the door. For example, you may have to use a push open or push down handle that releases the lock.

While being able to lock the room down is a good idea, you also do not want to do anything that will prevent rapid exit from the classroom.