Communications During a Crisis Presented by: Bill Bond Sponsored by VALIC

1. Communications During a Crisis Presented by:Bill BondSponsored by VALIC NASSP Specialist forSchool Safety

2. THE WAR IS OVER • Schools against cell phones • We lost

3. The Problem The average school shooting lasts only 12.5minutes The average police response time to an active school shooting is 18minutes Source: U.S. Department of Homeland Security

4. What happens when you call 911? Center might be overwhelmed with incoming calls. (20% of 911 calls are abandoned) 4 3 7 6 2 5 1 8 Call is routed to a centralized 911 call center. The 911 operator has to interpret the emergency. Dialing… 911 Appropriate agency receives the information. 911 operator directs call to the appropriate agency. Emergency Call Agency then dispatchesthe officers. Officers must drop what they are doing and travel tothe scene from their current location. Help Arrives. Average police response timeis 18 minutes!

5. Dec 14 2012 Time Line Case StudySandy Hook Elementary School 9:35:00 a.m. (0 Seconds) 9:37:06 a.m. (+126 Seconds) 9:40:03 a.m. (+303 Seconds) 9:39:00 a.m. (+240 Seconds) 9:44:47 a.m. (+587 Seconds) • Newtown Police Department Dispatcher broadcasts shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School. • Last gunshot is heard. Suicide shot from the shooter. • Main office staff reports hearing glass breaking and seeing the shooter.911 call is made. • First Newtown police officer arrives. • Newtown officers enter Sandy Hook Elementary School.

6. What Does This Teach Us? Extremely fast response time. • Police were on scene within 4 minutes of the 911 call. Shooter kills 20students and 6 school staff members in 303 seconds. • That is one person every 11.65 seconds.  SchoolGuardcouldhave alerted police 126 seconds sooner(11 lives sooner). • 42% reduction in response time.

7. Plan for a Crisis • Meet with local police andwalk through the building. • Traffic flow/Parent parking • Maintaining crime sceneand witnesses • Master keys • Digitize the school • Learn the emergency terms

8. Communication Plans • Parents need information • Phone system • Website • Teacher at front door • Parent volunteers • Mass text messages

9. Crisis Kits • Flash Drive or on Your Phone • Student information • Teacher information • Digitized school • Emergency contacts • First aid supplies • Communication supplies • Traffic control supplies • Sign out forms • Leather gloves

10. Crisis Plan • Decide within seconds • Staff roles and responsibilities • Training and practice • Call 911 NOW! • Evacuate or lock down : decide • Project calm and confident demeanor • Single spokesman • Student release • Documentation

11. Control the Crisis • Remain calm • Call 911 • Evacuation or staying in place • Use simple language • Anyone can call a lockdown • Only Principal or AP can call all clear

12. Mother is Coming • Staff member with information for parents • Parents on crisis team to reassure other parents • Sign out area/forms • Students use cell phones to call parents • Phone system • Website • Text Messages to parents

13. Media is the Key to Recovery • School spokesman • Media area/ sign in sheets • Your community is your audience • Know your mission • Know the media’s rights

14. Who is Responsible? • Security/law enforcement officers • Counseling services • Communication • Money

15. Return to Normal ASAP

16. Unification • Identify reunion area(s) • Identify sign out area • Train staff and develop sign out forms • If possible, escort students to parents • Develop a victims/witness list to separate from other parents

17. Psychological Services • National Association of School Psychologists • www.nasponline.org

18. Victim Assistance • Triage Training • Prepare Emergency Supplies • Identifying Students • Providing Information to Emergency Responders/Hospital • Recording Names

19. Staff Responsibilities • PRINCIPAL • Remain in Control Center • Prepare text messages • Directs 911 Call • Prepares All Announcements • Prepares Statements for Secretaries

20. Staff continued • ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS/NURSE • When Secured Report to Scene • Provide Medical Assistance-Nurse • Identify Victims-Report Status toOffice Record Names andAmbulance Information

21. Staff continued • PRINCIPALS SECRETARY • Call District Office • Log Times of Notification • Contact Parents of Victims • Type Prepared Statements

22. Staff continued • SECRETARIAL TEAM • Call 911 • Turn Off Bells • Clear Office ofNon-Essential People

23. Staff continued • HEAD CUSTODIAN AND STAFF • Secure The Building • Assure Crime SceneIs Unchanged • Prepare Parent Parking Area

24. Staff continued • ATHLETIC DIRECTOR WITH VESTS • Clear Bus Area of Vehicles • Direct Parents To Parking Area

25. Communications During a Crisis • Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be with you today! Bill Bond, NASSP Specialist for School Safety • Email: bondb@nassp.org • Phone: 800-253-7746 ext.357 To schedule Bill Bond to do a presentation in your school or district, please contact Carolyn Glascock 1-800-253-7746 ext.202 Email: glascockc@nassp.org • For a list of topics and other NASSP services please visit the NASSP Website at www.nassp.org