Key Principles for Effective Crisis Planning
You may be thinking that crisis planning can be a bit overwhelming. It does take time, but it is manageable. Let's take a closer look at some practical tips on how to develop your plans.
Effective crisis planning begins with leadership at the top. Every governor, legislator, superintendent, and principal should work together to make school crisis planning a priority.
Administrators should not develop crisis plans for just one section of the school. Good planning can enhance all school functions. In other words, crisis plans should address incidents that could happen inside school buildings, on school grounds, and in the community.
Schools and districts need to open up lines of communication before a crisis. For example, school leaders should have a relationship with emergency responders well before they are needed in a crisis. Enhance the relationship with city emergency managers, public works officials, and health and medical health professionals.
Schools should tailor district crisis plans to meet individual school needs. A plan should be a series of documents targeted to various audiences. For example, a school could use detailed response guides for planners, a crisis response toolbox for administrators, and wallet cards with evacuation routes for bus drivers.
Plan for diverse needs of children and staff. Make sure to address children or staff members with physical, sensory, motor, developmental, or mental challenges. You will also need to remember that children with limited English proficiency may need special attention.
Training and practice are important components of a crisis plan. Most students and staff know what to do in case of a fire because the law requires them to take part in routine fire drills. However, how many of them know how to deal with another type of crisis? Many districts now require evacuation and lockdown drills as well. These drills also allow school districts to evaluate what works and what needs to be improved.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
1-4. Schools should tailor district crisis plans to meet _____.
You forgot to answer the question!