3432 Emergencies
EMERGENCIES
Drills
Each school in the district will conduct at least one safety-related drill per month, including summer months when school is in session with students. These drills will teach students the following three basic functional drill responses:
Shelter-in-Place
Students will receive instruction so that in the case of a hazardous vapor release that doesn’t allow time to evacuate the campus, they will be able to remain inside, and take the steps necessary to eliminate or minimize the health and safety hazard.
Lockdowns
Students will receive instruction so that in the event of the breach of security of a school building or campus; staff, students and visitors will be able to take position in secure enclosures.
Evacuations
Students will receive instruction so that in the event the school or district needs to be evacuated due to threats, such as fires, oil train spills, or tsunamis, they will be able to leave the building in the shortest time possible and take the safest route possible to another school or facility.
The above safety-related drills will incorporate the following:
a. Use of the school mapping information system in at least one of the drills; and
b. A pedestrian evacuation drill for schools in mapped tsunami hazard zones.
These safety-related drills may also incorporate an earthquake drill using the state approved earthquake safety technique “drop,cover, and hold.”
The superintendent is directed to develop emergency evacuation procedures for each building.
Earthquakes
The board recognizes the importance of protecting staff, students and facilities in the event of an earthquake. Facilities shall be designed and maintained in a manner that recognizes the potential danger from such an occurrence. Likewise, staff must be prepared to take necessary action to protect students and staff from harm.
The superintendent shall establish guidelines and action taken by building principals should an earthquake occur while school is in session.
Bomb Threats
The superintendent shall establish procedures for action in the event that any threat is received toward the school by telephone, letter, orally or by other means.
Emergency School Closure or Evacuation
When weather conditions or other circumstances make it unsafe to operate schools the superintendent is directed to determine whether schools should be started late, closed for the day or transportation will be provided only on emergency routes. Those decisions will be communicated through community media resources pursuant to a plan developed by the superintendent or designee.
Pandemic/Epidemic
The board recognizes that a pandemic outbreak is a serious threat that could affect students, stafff and the community. The superintendent or a designee will serve as a liason between the school district and local health officials. The district liason, in consultation with local health officials, will ensure that a pandemic/epidemic plan exists in the district and establish procedures to provide for staff and student safety during such an emergency.
When an emergency within a school or its surrounding area necessitates evacuation and/or total or partial closure of the schools within the district, staff shall be responsible for aiding in the safe evacuation of the students within the endangered school or its surrounding area.
The superintendent shall establish procedures for the emergency closure of a building or department.
Cross References:
- 4310 District Relationships with Law Enforcement, Child Protective Agencies and County Health Department
Legal References:
- RCW 19.27.110 International fire code-Administraction and enforcement by counties, other political subdivisions and municipal corporations-FEES
- RCW 28A.320.125 Safe school plans-Requirements-Duties of school districts, schools, and educational service districts-Reports-Drills-Rules
Management Resources:
- 2017 – July Issue
- 2013- June Issue
- June 2008 OSPI School Safety Planning Manual
- Policy News, August 2008 School Safety Plans
- Policy News, October 2006 Pandeic Flu Planning for School Districts
- Policy News, February 1999Fire drills required monthly
Adopted: 06.07.03
Stanwood-Camano School District
Revised: 01.21.20