Crisis Planning - Team Building

Building a Crisis Team

Who Should be on a School Crisis Team?

Team members should have the desire to be on the crisis team and should possess personal characteristics such as remaining calm in a crisis and good speaking skills.

Should Every School Building Have its Own Crisis Team?

Every school should have key staff members who are involved in crisis planning. Three options in creating a crisis team include:

1 . Building Crisis Team - There are many advantages if a building is large enough to have personnel such as nurses, counselors/ psychologists and security in addition to administrators. All building personnel are acquainted with each other, the student body and the community. Scheduling a meeting of the crisis team is not difficult. Building personnel may also work on primary prevention activities.

2. District Team - It may be necessary for key personnel such as security, counseling and nursing to come from another location in the school system with the purpose of supporting the building administrator. A disadvantage is that personnel may not be well acquainted and may be unaware of the specifics of the affected school.

3. District/Community Team - Key people such as law enforcement, medical and mental health personnel are not employees of the school system. Careful planning sessions are mandatory.

How Large Should a Crisis Team Be?

A minimum of four and maximum of eight members are needed. Key duties to be covered include: medical, counseling/psychological, security, parent communication and campus communication.

How Important is an Emergency Signal?

Every school must have a clear emergency signal that is understood by all staff. All school personnel must know the "lock down" procedures to ensure student safety. School personnel should keep all students in a protected location until the building administrator gives an "all clear" signal or communication.

What Constitutes a Good Evacuation Plan?

All school personnel should know exactly where to direct students when an evacuation order is issued. Each school should make arrangements to use nearby neighborhood and community facilities for evacuation as much as possible. Additional suggestions:

• Create an administrative crisis box to take with you in the event of evacuation containing: a copy of emergency cards for each student and staff member, flashlights, bullhorns, portable phone, paper and writing instruments, crisis team badges and distinctive clothing such as a hat or vest to be worn by crisis team members.

• Classroom teachers should create a classroom tote tray containing activities to occupy students during a lengthy evacuation to a nearby facility. Small children (Pre-K to 1st grade) may need to bring items from home that would comfort them such as stuffed animals, family photos.

• Secretarial staff should have supplies such as bug spray, sunscreen and bottled water to be taken outside in the event of an evacuation.

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