File: EB
SCHOOL CRISIS, EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, AND MEDICAL EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN
Each school will develop a written school crisis, emergency management and medical emergency response plan as defined below. The School Board will annually review each school’s plan. The School Board has the authority to withhold or limit the review of any security plans and specific vulnerability assessment components as provided in the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, Va. Code 2.2-3705.2. Department of Education and the Virginia Center for School Safety will provide technical assistance to the school division in the development of the plan. In developing this plan, schools may consult the model school crisis, emergency management, and medical emergency response plan developed by the Board of Education and the Virginia Center for School Safety.
Each school will annually conduct school safety audits as defined below. The results of such school safety audits will be made public within 90 days of completion. The school board may withhold or limit the release of any security plans and specific vulnerability assessment components as provided in the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, Va. Code § 2.2-3705.2. Each school will maintain a copy of the school’s safety audit, which may exclude such security plans and vulnerability assessment components, within the office of the school principal and will make a copy of such report available for review upon written request.
“School crisis, emergency management, and medical emergency response plan” means the essential procedures, operations, and assignments required to prevent, manage, and respond to a critical event or emergency, including natural disasters involving fire, flood, tornadoes, or other severe weather; loss or disruption of power, water, communications or shelter; bus or other accidents; medical emergencies, including cardiac arrest and other life threatening medical emergencies; student or staff member deaths; explosions; bomb threats; gun, knife or other weapons threats; spills or exposures to hazardous substances; the presence of unauthorized persons or trespassers; the loss, disappearance or kidnapping of a student; hostage situations; violence on school property or at school activities; incidents involving acts of terrorism; and other incidents posing a serious threat of harm to students, personnel, or facilities.
“School safety audit” means a written assessment of the safety conditions in each public school to (1) identify and, if necessary, develop solutions for physical safety concerns, including building security issues and (2) identify and evaluate any patterns of student safety concerns occurring on school property or at school-sponsored events. Solutions and responses will include recommendations for structural adjustments, changes in school safety procedures, and revisions to the school board’s standards for student conduct.
Each school will maintain records of regular safety, health and fire inspections that have been conducted and certified by local health and fire departments. The frequency of such inspections will be determined by the local school board in consultation with the local health and fire departments. In addition, the school administration will:
1. equip all exit doors with panic hardware as required by the Uniform Statewide Building Code (13 VAC 5-61-10 et seq.); and 2. conduct fire drills at least once a week during the first month of school and at least once each month for the remainder of the school term. No fire drills will be conducted during periods of mandatory testing required by the Board of Education. Evacuation routes for students shall be posted in each room. At least one simulated lockdown and crisis emergency evacuation activity should be conducted early in the school year.
Each school will have contingency plans for emergencies that include staff certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), the Heimlich maneuver, and emergency first aid.
In addition, the school administration will ensure that the school has:
1. written procedures to follow in emergencies such as fire, injury, illness, and violent or threatening behavior. The plan will be outlined in the student handbook and discussed with staff and students during the first week of each school year; 2. space for the proper care of students who become ill; and 3. a written procedure for responding to violent, disruptive or illegal activities by students on school property or during a school sponsored activity. 4.written procedures to follow for the safe evacuation of persons with special physical, medical, or language needs who may need assistance to exit a facility.
Adopted: 08/23/04; 08/24/06; 6/28/07 _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
Legal Refs: Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, §§ 2.2-3705.2, 22.1-279.8.
Acts 2006, c. 164. 8 VAC 20-131-260.
Cross Refs: CLA Reporting Acts of Violence and Substance Abuse EBAA Reporting of Hazards EBBA First Aid/CPR Certified Personnel EBCB Fire Drills GBEB Staff Weapons in School JFC Student Conduct JFC-R Standards of Student Conduct JFCD Weapons in School JFCE Gang Activity or Association JHH Suicide Prevention KK School Visitors
5/07 VSBA
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