DISASTER MANAGEMENT PLAN NEPN/NSBA CODE: EB The Regional School Unit 78 School Board recognizes the possibility of enemy attack, sabotage, or other hostile action, as well as other natural disasters. Further, it recognizes the need for preparations and plans regarding actions to take before, during and after an emergency to minimize the effects of enemy attacks and natural disasters and to protect the lives of the pupils entrusted to our care. Therefore, the Board authorizes and directs the Superintendent to prepare a Disaster Management Plan, and to provide for the necessary training and instruction of staff and pupils so that the Disaster Management Plan can be carried out with the greatest possible speed and safety. INTRODUCTION MISSION - A Disaster Management Plan, with provisions to educate the pupils and staff, will be prepared and updated annually to meet the schools responsibility to care for the youth entrusted to it. In the event of an impending disaster, it is imperative that the pupils of the Rangeley Lakes Regional School receive maximum protection, and whenever possible, be reunited with their families. PURPOSE The guidelines set forth in this plan are to ensure the safety and well being of the pupils and school personnel to the highest degree possible in the event of an impending or actual disaster. SCOPE The intent of this plan is to provide guidelines for the handling of pupils under severe emergency conditions. As a result, a specific Disaster Management Plan for Rangeley Lakes Regional School will be developed. The plan will specify the disposition and handling of pupils in the event of an impending or actual disaster. RESPONSIBILITY The overall responsibility for the protection of the lives of the pupils and school personnel at RLRS rests with the Superintendent. The authority to carry out this responsibility may be delegated to other school officials, such as the Principal. DISASTERS Disaster: An adverse happening often occurring suddenly and unexpectedly. SIGNALS Attack Warning Signal: In the event of an attack against this country, or when a missile has been accidentally launched which poses a threat to this area, the National Warning System (NAWAS) will disseminate the ATTACK WARNING SIGNAL to the Franklin County Sheriff. DEFINITIONS 1. School Liaison: A full-time sworn law enforcement officer assigned to act as a liaison between the police department and the school district. 2. Crisis Team A team which has the function to verify the nature of a crisis; initiate the coded alert and evacuation plan, notify appropriate public safety personnel; and to set into motion various teams. These teams in a school would be led by the Crisis Team Manager, School Nurse, Social Worker, Media Coordinator, Student and Staff Supervisor, and Building and Ground Supervisors. 3. Crisis: A time of great immediate danger or trouble, one which often threatens results in unpleasant consequences. Examples of crisis could be but not limited to:
Page 2 of 5 Man Made fire, explosion, civil disorder, bomb threat, weapons, riots, hostage situations, etc. Natural hurricane, fire, tornado, earthquake, flood, etc. Hazardous Materials Accident Any industrial or vehicular accident involving hazardous non-nuclear materials such as chlorine, gasoline, and various industrial chemicals. 4. Community Policing An organizational philosophy and management approach that promotes community, government and police partnerships, and proactive problem-solving and community engagements which address crisis situations, response and management. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF SCHOOL PERSONNEL A full awareness of individual responsibilities, realization of the seriousness of the problem and administrative guidance are necessary to a successful school disaster preparedness program. There may be a somewhat natural tendency to begin the program with tremendous enthusiasm, then to lose interest and allow it to lag. To combat this, both teachers and students will be provided with full information on the effects of natural and man-made disasters. They will also be given tasks to perform and drills to carry out. The responsibilities outlined here will not apply under all conditions. However, they will serve as the functional model under which school personnel will operate. School Board The Board is responsible for approval of a Disaster Emergency Plan and should participate in an annual review of such a plan. SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS The Superintendent of Schools is responsible for initiating, encouraging, supporting, and developing a Disaster Emergency Plan for the Rangeley Lakes Regional School. Duties shall include: 1. Receiving authorization from the Board to formulate a Disaster Emergency Plan. 2. Presenting a Disaster Emergency Plan to the Board for approval. 3. Meeting with public safety officials prior to the start of each school year and/or as deemed necessary to: Review all school policies on issues such as: student discipline, weapons, drug and alcohol issues, firearms, hazardous materials, access to school security and other areas of mutual concern. Define the role of the School Liaison. 4. Conducting, along with representation from local safety officials, an annual physical plant risk safety and/or crime prevention assessment. The group will then report their findings and recommendations to the Board and other appropriate authorities. This report should include, but is not limited to: Door locking systems and emergency buzzers. Lighting, both inside and outside the schools. Buildings and parking lots access by both students and visitors during and after regular school hours.
Telephone and caller ID hook-ups and their procedures. Visitation and on-site security issues. Burglar and fire alarms. Building egress procedures. Speed bumps at selected locations. Surveillance system both internal and external. 5. Establishing a chain-of-command understood by all, so that an emergency warning received at any time will be promptly and properly acted upon. 6. Designating someone, and a first and second alternative, to receive the Emergency Management Agency message (warning). 7. Discussing with the town s Director of Emergency Management the possibility of closing school in the event of a potentially dangerous weather situation or a tense or critical internal situation. 8. Informing school employees that they are to remain in schools on duty if the WARNING is sounded while school is in session. 9. Urging school employees to make plans for their families if a WARNING is sounded while school is in session. THE PRINCIPAL The Principal is responsible for the overall coordination, development, and dissemination of the Disaster Emergency Plan. Duties shall include: 1. Carrying out the directives of the Superintendent and keeping him / her apprised of emergency situations. 2. Coordinating the evacuation by use of radios or other means and monitoring progress. 3. Remaining in constant contact with Rangeley Emergency Management Services and the Superintendent. 4. Meeting with the bus drivers to inform them of their duties and responsibilities. HEAD OF MAINTENANCE / CUSTODIAN The Head of Maintenance is responsible for coordinating and overseeing emergency repairs. Duties shall include: 1. Carrying out the directives of the Principal and keeping him apprised of emergency situations. 2. Assigning custodial personnel. 3. Remaining in constant contact with the Superintendent. 4. Supervising emergency repairs. 5. Meeting with maintenance personnel to inform them of their duties and responsibilities. 6. Inspecting and maintaining fire fighting equipment.
Page 4 of 5 7. Inspecting the plant for structural safety. 8. Prepare and post a diagram showing all shut-off valves and switches for all utilities. 9. Making emergency repairs. 10. Inspecting the plant following the disaster and reporting conditions that require attention to the Superintendent. HEAD COOK The Head Cook is responsible for preparing and distributing meals/food. Duties shall include: 1. Carrying out the directives of the Superintendent or his / her designee and keeping him/her apprised of emergency situations. 2. Determining the number of pupils and staff to be fed. 3. Maintaining at least a one-week supply of food in the stockroom. 4. Remaining in on-going contact with the Superintendent or his/her designee. 5. Meeting with cafeteria workers to inform them of their duties and responsibilities. SCHOOL NURSE The school nurse is responsible for coordinating school health services activities. Duties shall include: 1. Maintaining a first-aid station (clinic) at the school. 2. Rendering first aid. 3. Maintaining an up-to-date inventory of first aid supplies. 4. Preparing injured for transportation to a hospital. 5. Establishing procedures to care for the physically handicapped. SCHOOL ATTENDANCE SECRETARY The secretary is responsible for maintaining up-to-date records. Duties shall include: 1. Maintaining records of vital data on all pupils and having such readily available. 2. Maintaining a list of all persons occupying the building and grounds including school personnel, parents, vendors, and volunteers. 3. Assisting with communications. 4. Maintaining a record of time, date, and effectiveness of drills.
Page 5 of 5 ED TECHS The Educational Technicians are responsible for assisting the teacher to whom they are assigned. SCHOOL BUS DRIVERS The school bus drivers are responsible for transporting pupils to or from the school buildings. Duties shall include: 1. Carrying out the directives of the Superintendent or Director of Transportation. 2. Remaining in contact with the Principal s office. 3. Becoming acquainted with alternate routes for transporting pupils to their homes or shelters. 4. Keeping the Principal or Director of Transportation informed as to where they can be reached during the school day. SOCIAL WORKER The school s Social Worker shall: 1. Coordinate outside resources eg. grief and anger management 2. Generate activities to reduce impact of trauma 3. Develop district-wide activities to memorialize and commemorate Adopted: April 24, 2007 Revised: August 20, 2013