DO YOU KNOW THE DRILL? SCHOOL SECURITY DRILLS

Long Branch Public Schools DO YOU KNOW THE DRILL? SCHOOL SECURITY DRILLS Information from the Where Children Matter Most NJ Department of Education Office of School Preparedness & Emergency Planning 1

2 Why practice is important It s been said that amateurs practice until they get it right, while professionals practice until, they can t get it wrong. Foolish are the generals who ignore the daily intelligence from the trenches. Anonymous

NJ School Security Task Force 3

4 Background & Overview Created by Governor Corzine on 10-04-06 to evaluate security measures at NJ schools. The task force brought together state, county, and local government as well as members of the education and law enforcement communities. The task force focused its efforts on addressing various facets of school safety and security. The task force has been reconstituted under Director McKenna, Office of Homeland Security & Preparedness.

5 2007-2009 Key Accomplishments Revised the NJDOE School Security Manual. Launched the NJDOE School Security Website. Distributed Model Policies for Law Enforcement. Distributed Companion Model Policies for Educators. Updated the Uniform State MOA between Education & Law Enforcement Enhanced School Resource Officers (SRO) Training. Enhanced police academy/teacher training Created a school bus driver awareness training program 2010 Security Drill legislation passed

6 NJ Administrative Code 6A:16-5.1 School Safety & Security Plans www.state.nj.us/education/schools/security/regs/code.htm

7 6A:16-5.1 School Safety Plans Each Local Education Agency (LEA) is required to have a safety and security plan. Policies, procedures & mechanisms requirement, including purposes 5.1(a). Safety and Security Plans should be developed and reviewed in consultation with key stakeholders 5.1(b). Safety and Security Plans should be consistent with the format and content established by the Domestic Security Preparedness Task Force & the Commissioner of Ed. 5.1(b)1

8 Who should be involved in planning? Public Health Local Government Mental Health School District Teachers Staff Parents Students Public Safety Law Enforcement Emergency Management

9 6A:16-5.1 Annual review & update 5.1(b)2 Dissemination 5.1(c) New employees need to receive within 60 days Annual in-service training for all district employees 5.1(d) Training for all new employees 5.1(d)1 Within 60 days NJ QSAC: Operations Section

History of the Drill Bill 10

11 09/2007: A key recommendation in the K-12 School Security Task Force Final Report 06/16/2008: A3002, Sponsored by Assemblyman Scalera & Assemblywoman Lampitt, was introduced, referred to Assembly Homeland Security & State Preparedness Committee. 11/17/2008: Passed by the General Assembly (78-0-0) 11/24/2008: Received in the Senate, Referred to Senate Education Committee. 12/10/2009: Passed Senate (39-0) 01/11/2010: Signed into law by Governor Corzine. Went into effect on November 1, 2010

12 School Administrator Procedures Responding to Critical Incidents

All school administrator procedures should be developed and revised as needed in consultation with local law enforcement or the appropriate emergency responding agency. 13

14 Companion document to the Model Policies for Law Enforcement Attorney General Directive 2007-1 Establishes uniform procedures. Details responsibilities of the school administrator. Describes individual roles for school personnel and recommended actions. References specific sections of the School Safety and Security Manual: Best Practices Guidelines (2 nd Generation). Indicates shifts in incident command prior to, during and following an event. Disseminated on October 22, 2007.

15 Public Information Bomb Threat Evacuation Lockdown Active Shooter Model Procedures

16 School Security Drills NJ Statute 18A:41-1

17 18A:41-1 Every principal of a school of two (2) or more rooms, or of a school of one (1) room, when located above the first story of a building, shall have at least one fire drill and one school security drill each month with the school hours, including any summer months during which the school is open for instruction programs. to keep all doors and exits of their respective rooms and buildings unlocked during the school hours, except during an emergency lockdown or an emergency lockdown drill. Emergency egress

18 Why do we drill? Assure predictable response in the event of an actual emergency. Identify problems/weaknesses in plans and procedures. Staff and students practice and experience what is expected of them during an emergency. Practice, Practice, Practice!

19 Fire, School Security Drills Security drills, which are similar in duration to a fire drill, will be used to practice school s procedures for responding to various emergencies. School Security Drill: Exercise, other than a fire drill, to practice procedures used to respond to various school emergencies. School personnel and local emergency responders will coordinate efforts to update plans for drilling, managing & responding to school emergencies.

20 Tabletop Activity Discussion between key stakeholders of simulated emergency scenarios in an informal setting to assess plans, policies & procedures.

21 Full Scale Exercise A multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional activity involving actual deployment of resources in a coordinated response as if a real incident had occurred. Typically used to assess plans and procedures under crisis conditions, and assess coordinated response under crisis conditions.

22 Lockdown Drill Addresses Active Shooter scenarios as well as others which would require the following procedures to be instituted: Staff, faculty and students remain confined to a room or area within a building with specific procedures to follow, such as: Locking doors, closing or opening windows and shades, and seeking cover. Lockdowns necessitate a law enforcement response and immediate intervention.

23 Lockdown is implemented when a criminal element is believed to be on the premises. Occupants of the building are directed to remain confined to a room or area with specific procedures to follow; such as locking doors, closing or opening windows & shades, and seeking cover. Shelter in Place occupants are to remain within the building but may be moved to a different area due to a dangerous event taking place outside of the building; for example the release of a chemical cloud from a nearby plant. Depending on Circumstance Teaching May Be Allowed To Continue! No Teaching or Business As Usual During A Lockdown!

24 Active Shooter An active shooter situation involves one (1) or more individuals intent on causing physical harm who are believed to be armed, has used, or has threatened to use a weapon to inflict serious bodily injury or death on other person(s) and/or continues to do so while having unrestricted access to additional victims. Eminent danger

25 Response to an Active Shooter In response to an active shooter, the building may be placed under lockdown or an evacuation may be ordered. Please make sure that all LBPS administrators/principals/directors/managers have up to date cell phone numbers of all staff members. All LBPS staff members are asked to have their cell phone with them at all times and have them turn on and on vibrate! Administration/Police will use technology to reach you on your cell phone during an emergency. Once a building is in lockdown the law enforcement incident commander will determine whether to order a law enforcementsupervised evacuation or leave it in lockdown mode.

26 Evacuation Drill Address Bomb Threat scenarios as well as others which would require the following procedures to be instituted: The need for all occupants of a school building to orderly and safely evacuate. The need to evacuate to different assembly locations depending on the situation. Emergency responders should be notified so that they are aware of the situation and may take appropriate action.

27 Fire Drill vs. Bomb Threat Evacuation FIRE DRILL Windows & Doors are closed Closed & Locked doors minimize fire spread Turn off lights when a room is exited for a fire drill Bomb Threat Staff should open windows & doors This will allow the blast pressure to vent and minimize the damage Closed/Locked doors will make it more difficult for the areas of the school to be searched. Note: Refrain from pulling fire alarms to evacuate during a bomb threat.

28 Lockdown Drills vs. Evacuation Drills Lockdown: Can students remain safely in their current location without the threat moving toward them? School administrators have a duty to protect and ensure that students are not remaining in a threatening situation when their safe removal is possible. Evacuation: Can students safely exit the building without moving toward the threat? School officials will need to quickly assess whether or not student evacuation can be accomplished safely.

29 Required Drills Each of the following drills must be conducted a minimum of two (2) times per year: Active Shooter Evacuation Bomb Threat Lockdown Schools are required to conduct a school security drill within the first 15 days of the beginning of the school year.

30 Additional Drill Suggestions Shelter-in-Place Reverse evacuation Evacuation to relocation site Tabletop activity Full Scale Exercise Two (2) of your eight (8) mandatory drills do not have to include students. Also drill during Inconvenient times

31 Initiation Fire alarm systems will only be used for the purpose of a fire related evacuation.

32 Unplanned Incidents Responses made necessary by the unplanned activation of emergency procedures or by any other emergency shall NOT be substituted for a required school security drill.

33 Training Requirements All full-time teaching staff members must be provided with school security training that includes information relating to school security drills. Training must be provided within one (1) year of the effective date of this act, or within sixty (60) days of employment, whichever date is later.

34 Training Requirements per NJAC 6A:16-5.1 Districts shall develop and provide in-service training to recognize and respond to various security concerns. Programs developed by LBPS Public Safety Liaison Walter J. O Neill, Jr. Psychological Ramifications of Bullying, Social Media Use, & Cyberbullying Social Media in Schools, What is the threat? Critical Incident Response Procedures for School Administrators Module 1&2 Critical Incident Response Procedures for School Administrators Module 3&4 Critical Incident Response for Teachers 2013-2014 Indicators of School Crime & Safety School Security Guards Situational Awareness Session 1 School Security Guards Situational Awareness Session 2 Workplace Violence Issues Situational Awareness for School Bus Drivers Safe School Site & Safety Inspections Identifying Deceptive Behavior for Safe School Officers Developed a bomb threat management guide Held six (6) in-service training sessions during the 2013-2014 session Created a School Security section on the district website: www.longbranch.k12.nj.us

Preparing to Drill 35

36 Focused Practice, Improves Your Skills The power of one, if fearless and focused, is formidable, but the power of many working together is better. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

37 Build-a-Drill Schools need to exhibit a logical, natural progression, working toward the end result of conducting the required emergency drills. Examples: Conduct a stakeholder meeting to confirm responsibilities of all entities. Check all communication systems relating to emergency notification. Educate/conduct drill with faculty and staff. Educate/conduct drill with faculty, staff and students. Conduct drill.

38 Preparing for Emergency Drills Staff Train staff members on emergency procedures. Discuss the importance of emergency drills during staff meetings. Allow staff feedback on emergency drills and procedures. Assess the staff s response to emergency drills. Include emergency procedures in information packets for substitutes and new staff members. Involve the school s support staff in all emergency drills: librarians, office staff, custodians, bus drivers, frequent volunteers, cafeteria staff, etc.

39 Preparing for Emergency Drills Students Staff should review the importance of emergency drills with students, as well as their role during emergencies. Provide students with specific instructions for various emergencies along with the reasons and conditions that would trigger a response. Allow student feedback concerning emergency drills. Provide emergency procedure information to all new students. Include provisions during emergencies for special needs students.

40 Notification Schools will notify emergency responders at least forty-eight (48) hours prior to holding a school security drill. Invite emergency responders and the District Public Safety Liaison Officer to observe drills. Not mandatory, but recommended that they attend and observe at least four (4) different drills. Request feedback. Enhances collaboration and cooperation.

After the Drill 41

42 Drill Evaluation Key personnel should review each drill after completion. Staff/Teachers Students Emergency Responders What went well, what needs improvement, how to improve. Include your findings in an after-action report (AAR). This report captures observations of an exercise/drill and makes recommendations for improvements.

43 Record Keeping Districts are required to submit an annual Statement of Assurance to the Monmouth County Superintendent of Schools by June 30 th of each year. NJDOE provides the form which is required County offices will forward an informational copy to their respective county prosecutor s office. The Security Drill Record Form will be completed by all schools and retained at the district level. NJDOE provides the form which is required

44 Security Drill Record Form Date & time of drill Type of drill specifically what was drilled. Duration of drill. Weather conditions during drill. Who participated in the drill: Students Faculty/Staff Law enforcement Fire

School Security Drill Checklist 45

46 School Security Drill Checklist Foundation of Drill Create a project timeline Identify planning team members: School personnel Law enforcement Fire officials Emergency responders Other(s) Assign responsibilities to planning team members.

47 Design & Development of Drill Scenario Outline concepts & objectives of drill. Identify the type of drill Identify when the drill will take place. Identify who will participate in the drill. Draft purpose & scope of drill. Identify the specific items, procedures, protocols that will be drilled.

48 Pre-Drill Review school safety and security procedures with ALL school personnel & students: Faculty, staff, janitorial, maintenance, transportation, food & after school personnel. Review emergency duties: Faculty/Staff Administrators Safe School Officers Public Information Officer/Spokesperson Other(s)

49 Pre-Drill Notify parents of the schools drill plan. This can be done at the beginning of each school year by outlining the different drills that will be held during the school year. Review and test communication protocols: Communication between different groups (i.e. emergency responders, school personnel, medical, fire,) Communication between school personnel. Communication with classes outside of the building. Communication from classes inside the building to the main office or Command Post. Communication with district/county office of education. Communication with parents/media.

50 DRILL Use simple language to make emergency announcements (i.e. Lockdown, Evacuation, Shelter-in-Place). The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) discourages using codes and signals because it may confuse people. If codes are used make sure substitute teachers are aware of them! Use clear statement to indicate actions that should be taken. Make sure it can be heard/communicated everywhere on the school campus. Have an All Clear procedure to terminate the action so everyone can recognize the emergency situation has been resolved.

51 DRILL Is the emergency alert/announcement clearly communicated and understood throughout the school facility? Are students and staff secure and following procedures and protocols according to the school s emergency procedures? Do teachers/classrooms have a means/method to communicate with the main office/command post? Are procedures for students and staff in hallways, bathrooms and open areas being followed? Are procedures for students and staff in the cafeteria, gym and outside the building being followed?

52 Post-Drill Evaluation Conduct a debriefing session to discuss lessons learned and/or measures for improvement. Include key stakeholders: Emergency responders Teachers/Staff Students (if appropriate) Other(s)

53 Post-Drill Evaluation Review the following How long did it take? Who designed the drill? What worked well? What needs to be improved? Do any other people need to be added to your team? What would the emergency response time be if this were not a drill? Prepare an After-Action Report (AAR) to share with key stakeholders The AAR captures observations of an exercise/drill and makes recommendations for improvements.

54 Improvement Plan Review and update plans, procedures as necessary per the After-Action Report. An improvement plan identifies specific corrective actions, assigns them to responsible parties, and establishes targets for their completion.

55 Conditions Considerations for Drills Emergency situations may occur at any time during the day or year. It is beneficial to conduct drills and have protocols in place for: Lunch period when cafeterias are occupied. During class changes. Recess or gym classes. Arrivals and dismissal time. After school hours (i.e. dances, theater, athletic events).

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57 No More Code Words Why no more code words? Platte Canyon High School, Bailey, CO September 27, 2006 Duane Roger Morrison, 53, took 6 female students hostage and sexually assaulted them. He later released four, but when the police SWAT Team enter he killed one, attempted to kill another before taking his own life just as the police shot him at the same time. Sophomore Zack Barnes, 16, said his first indication that there was something wrong at Platte Canyon HS was an announcement over the public address system. We were sitting there in math class and over the intercom they said, Students and teachers we have a CODE WHITE. REPEAT, CODE WHITE. and nobody really knew what a code white was. Zack said his teacher checked a sheet of paper from her desk and then said the class had to move.

58 Alternative Locations Student transportation plans should be clearly outlined for during and after an incident. Students enroute when an incident occurs. Transportation needs for evacuation and reunification. Have an alternative evacuation location and an additional one that is only known by the school administrator(s) and emergency responders. Designate an off-site location for reunification. This should not be the same site as the evacuation location!

59 Communication If you do not have good communication, you will not have command and control of an emergency situation. Make sure your entire staff knows how to access your school intercom system using their cell phones. Make sure you have all your staff members cell phone numbers! Schools need to have adequate means of rapid communication, striving for interoperability with emergency personnel. Institute an incident command system. Train all faculty/staff in this communication system. Predetermine how you will communicate with: Emergency responders, Students, Staff, Parents, Others How will you communicate with those in a classroom? Telephone, Cellphone, Email, Loud speaker

60 Diversify School Security Drills Conduct drills during lunch periods, in addition to before and after lunch. Block an exit (unannounced) and tell students and teachers they cannot use that particular exit during an evacuation. Remove a student or two from their group during a drill to see how long it would take for staff to notice or act. Remove a staff member (unannounced) from his/her group to see if anyone notices or if students can follow procedures without the staff member present. Conduct drills as students arrive in the morning or around dismissal time. Identify unique issues which arise in the effective management of drills during these times. Are you keeping track of staff members?

61 Parent Involvement Inform parents about their roles during a crisis. Know the value of a parent handbook that outlines emergency procedures in advance. It is also listed on our district website; under the Security Department. Implement a process for parents/guardians to report potential threats. Inform parents about the role of law enforcement at the school. Without information, parents may assume that a law enforcement presence indicates problems that are out of control, when in fact, police on campus can prevent incidents of violence.

62 Recovery Develop communication materials that may be needed including: Draft formats of letters informing parents/guardians of the specific incidents. Information, including possible reactions of their child, and ways to talk with them. How the program, school, and school district are handling the situation. Is your school prepared to provide mental health services ASAP?

63 Important Dates to Remember November 2010: Law requires one (1) Fire Drill and one (1) Security Drill September 2011: Law requires one (1) Fire Drill within the first ten (10) days of school and one (1) School Security Drill within the first fifteen (15) days of school.

Resources 64

65 Walter J. O Neill, Jr., LBPS District Public Safety Liaison (732) 571-2868, ext. 40911 woneill@longbranch.k12.nj.us Long Branch Police Department (732) 222-1000 Monmouth County Prosecutor (732) 431-7160 Monmouth County Sheriff (732) 432-7139 New Jersey State Police (609) 882-2000