5 tips for crisis preparedness

In today's world, schools must take proactive steps to prepare for potential crises, ranging from natural disasters to targeted mass violence. A strong crisis preparedness plan can save lives and reduce harm. Here are five essential tips every school should consider to enhance their crisis preparedness.

1. Establish a Crisis Response Team

   • Creating a Crisis Response Team (CRT) is a vital first step in ensuring your school is prepared for emergencies. This team should include a diverse group of stakeholders such as administrators, school counselors, teachers, school nurses, school resource officers (SROs), and representatives from local first responder agencies. The CRT is tasked with overseeing crisis preparedness, developing response plans, conducting regular reviews, and coordinating training for all staff members.

     Actionable Tip: Assign clear roles and responsibilities to each CRT member and establish a regular meeting schedule to address ongoing safety concerns and updates.

     
     

2. Maintain Ready-to-Use Communication Templates

   • Having a set of pre-drafted communication templates is essential for timely and accurate messaging during a crisis. These templates should be tailored for different scenarios, such as natural disasters, security threats, or medical emergencies, and should be easily customizable to fit the specific event.

     Actionable Tip: Create templates for emails, text alerts, and social media posts that address various stakeholders, including staff, parents, and local authorities. Review and update them annually to ensure relevance.

     
     

3. Conduct a Risk-Assessment

   • A thorough risk assessment helps identify potential threats and vulnerabilities within your school. This can include evaluating building security, reviewing emergency exit plans, and identifying areas where students and staff may be most at risk.

     Actionable Tip: Collaborate with local law enforcement to assess potential threats and receive guidance on improving school safety measures.

     
     

4. Train and Empower ALL Staff

   • Teachers and staff are your first line of defense in a crisis. Comprehensive training ensures everyone knows their roles and responsibilities during an emergency. Training should be ongoing and cover various scenarios, including lockdowns, evacuations, medical emergencies, and reunification procedures. It is essential to build confidence and competence among staff members so they can act decisively under pressure.

     Actionable Tip: Conduct regular drills and tabletop exercises that simulate real-life scenarios. Don't just train/drill during "easy" times- challenge your staff by drilling during lunch or other challenging transitions. Most importantly, ensure all staff—including substitutes and support staff—are well-versed in their roles during an emergency.

     
     

5. Spend Time, Energy, and Money on School Climate

   • A strong school climate is the cornerstone of safety and violence prevention. While not every crisis is preventable, when students and staff feel respected and connected, the likelihood of violence decreases, and the school community is more resilient in the face of challenges.

   Actionable Tip: Prioritize initiatives like peer mentoring, conflict resolution, and mental health awareness campaigns. Ensure your school counselors/social workers are being used to proactively support student wellbeing and not just their academics. Use data from climate surveys and regularly invite student feedback to guide ongoing improvements.

-Makenzie (The Crisis Counselor)