Regional Centre for Education Emergency Response For Schools and... · 2019-10-04 · Emergency...

Chignecto CentralRegional Centre for Education

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Emergency Response For SchoolsA resource to help School Administrator’s manage the �rst 30 minutes during an emergency.

Emergency Response for SchoolsIntroductionThis guide has been revised by Chignecto-Central Regional Centre for Education in collaboration with local police agencies and the Nova Scotia Department of Education and Early Childhood Development.

This document is meant to serve as a quick resource to help school administrator’s manage the first 30 minutes during an emergency. It does not replace an individual school’s detailed emergency management plan for the specific hazards that may challenge a school’s ability to keep students and staff safe, or to function normally. A school’s emergency management plan must be developed for the specific site and any unique challenges that might occur.

Each classroom shall have a copy of the Emergency Management Codes sheet posted as a quick reference guide of their responsibilities during an emergency.

It is important that schools continue to practice their required drills each year to help provide a solid base for student and staff knowledge. Schools should also attempt to conduct their drills under more challenging circumstances such as lunch, recess, etc.. School plans must be updated periodically when they become aware of changes that will affect their plans or following a drill when it is determined processes should be adjusted.

This is the intellectual property of the Chignecto-Central Regional Centre for Education. Do not copy or use its contents without the explicit written permission of the Communications Division of the Regional Executive Director of Education’s office.

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School Specific Emergency PlanEach school is responsible to have a written emergency plan for risks that may occur. Each emergency plan, at a minimum shall include the following items:

• Emergency contact information (Emergency Responders, CCRCE and parents/guardians).

• School profile.

• Definition of the types of emergencies the plan includes.

• Designation of the person-in-charge (principal or designate).

• How each emergency is activated.

• Roles and responsibilities of person-in-charge, staff, students and any others within the school for each type of emergency.

• Details about the specific plan (i.e. for a relocation, where/how to relocate students and staff and how the person-in-charge, will gain access to the off site location).

• Medication for any students.

• How to deactivate the emergency plan.

• Documentation requirements.

• For more information refer to the School Emergency Management Plan Template developed by the Nova Scotia Department of Education and Early Childhood Education.

• Plans for any students and staff requiring special assistance.

• Identify outside safe location for students and staff to congregate if can not re-enter school.

• Assign staff member to keep first aid kit stocked.

• Develop sign-out process for students following an event.

School specific plans must be reviewed and updated at least annually to ensure details and contact information are accurate.

For more information related to school emergency planning, contact CCRCE’s Health & Safety Coordinator at 902-897-8941 or [email protected].

Emergency Response CodesCode Red: Fire 4

Code Blue: Hold & Secure 5

Code Blue: Lock Down 7

Code Black – Evacuation/Relocation 8

Code Yellow – Medical Emergencies 10

Code Orange – Staff Assistance 11

Specific Hazards and ResponsesChemical Spill In the School 13Bomb Threat 14

Bus/Vehicle Accident 15

Kidnapping/Lost Child 16

Shelter In Place 17

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Situations that may require activation of the school fire safety plan:• Fire

• Smoke

• Suspected fire or smoke

CODE RED: Fire

Immediate Actions:• Initiate school specific fire safety plan.

• Activate the fire alarm. Call 911.

• Remove students and staff from danger (evacuate).

• Staff close windows and doors when leaving the building.

• Ensure plan for those requiring special assistance is activated.

• Conduct a sweep of the school including washrooms and hallways to ensure everyone has been evacuated.

• Take fire box containing all required items to the muster point outside.

• Complete roll call of students and staff, to confirm everyone is accounted for.

• Meet the fire department and inform them of the fire location as stated on the fire panel and the location of any persons requiring assistance, i.e. those in an area of refuge.

• Call CCRCE Emergency Line: 902-897-8902.

• Following consultation with Fire Department and other agencies determine if relocation (Code Black) is necessary.

Follow Up Actions:• Contact FOSS.

• Contact Communications Manager if note home to parents is necessary or public media response needed or anticipated.

• Document details of event on Integrated Services, Emergency Management, Fire Drill (indicate if actual event).

• If actual event, complete reportable occurrence form and send to Health and Safety so that Office of the Fire Marshal documentation can be completed.

• Document event, including completed forms, SIP (Student/Visitor Incident), Reportable Occurrence (Staff Incident), Workers Compensation Board (WCB), Injury on Duty.

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CODE BLUE: Hold & Secure

Immediate Actions:• Initiate school specific plan.

• As necessary (depends on the circumstances), announce over the PA in plain language the directions to be followed. For Example: “All students and staff remain in your classrooms until further notice.”

• Lock all exterior doors and windows (depending on the threat) and post signage or initiate Code Blue Light to notify visitors if necessary.

• Any students and staff outside the school should re-enter the school if safe to do so.

• Call 911 as necessary or other agencies (i.e. Department of Natural Resources if there is a bear sighting.)

• Call CCRCE Emergency Line: 902-897-8902

• Determine if relocation (Code Black) is necessary.

NOTE 1: In the event the fire alarm is pulled during a hold and secure, staff shall only leave their position if smoke or fire is evident.

NOTE 2: If event is related to external air contamination (chemical release), shut down ventilation systems, close windows and secure outside doors. No one should exit the building until notification is given that it is safe to do so.

A hold and secure is defined as actions taken to control access to the school in response to a safety concern external to the school.

Situations that may require Hold & Secure Response:

• Animal threat

• Altercation involving students

• Threat outside the building

• Custody dispute

• Police action in the community

• Chemical release in the community

• Medical emergency in the school (to keep area clear)

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CODE BLUE: Hold & Secure


• Arrange for an EAP/debriefing session for students and staff.

• Contact Communications Manager if note home to parents is necessary, and public/media response needed or anticipated.

• Document event in Integrated Services, Emergency Management, Code Blue/Hold & Secure, indicate actual event in entry.


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CODE BLUE: Lockdown

Situations that may require a Lockdown response:

• Unauthorized visitor with an unknown intent

• A violent or potentially violent incident inside the school

Immediate Actions:• Initiate school specific plan

• Announce Code Blue Lockdown 3 times over the PA System, initiate the Blue Light System, or other means of communicating as determined in school specific plan.

• Contact 911.

• Move students, staff and visitors into safe areas. If on the playground students and staff should move immediately to their pre-determined outside safe location. DO NOT RE-ENTER THE SCHOOL.

• Secure doors and rooms and try to avoid detection.

• Prohibit student cell phone use, as this may interfere with emergency responders ability to communicate.


• Students and staff shall remain in locked rooms until police unlock the door and release occupants.

NOTE 1: In the event the fire alarm is pulled during a Lockdown, staff shall only leave their lockdown position if smoke or fire is evident.


• Arrange for an EAP/debriefing session for students and staff.


• Document event in Integrated Services, Emergency Management, Code Blue Lockdown, indicate if actual event in entry.

A Lockdown is defined as actions taken to conceal students and staff in a secure location in response to a threat of violence inside or in relation to the school.

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CODE BLACK: Evacuation & Relocation

Situations that may require an evacuation/relocation:• Fire (See Code Red)

• Bomb Threat (See Bomb Threat)

• Chemical Release (See Chemical Spill)

• Police Action in the community

• Flood or other natural disaster-related event

Immediate Actions:Evacuation:

• Activate school specific plan.

• Call 911 as necessary (depends on threat).

• Call CCRCE Emergency Line: 902-897-8902.

• Take fire box with all contents, including phone and parent contact information, to the relocation site.

• Take student medication.

• Ensure staff account for students during evacuation.

• Implement plans for students and staff requiring special assistance.

Relocation:• Request the assistance of police to relocate students and staff if walking on

road/highway and there are safety concerns.

• Make consideration for time of year and weather conditions.

• Contact off-site location to advise students and staff arriving (if necessary).

• Ensure all staff and students are accounted for.

• Ensure students and staff requiring specialized procedures for the evacuation/relocation are attended to. Perform routine checks with staff or students with medical conditions.

• Ensure system for communicating with parents is available and reliable, i.e., cell service at relocate site.

An Evacuation/Relocation is defined as actions taken to remove students and staff from the school site and move them to an off-site location. This is done when a situation arises that deems the school site unsafe or potentially unsafe.

continued...

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CODE BLACK: Evacuation & Relocation

• Designate person(s) to meet parents/guardians upon arrival at the relocation site.

• Develop a sign out process for parents/guardians to take students home.


• Arrange for an EAP/debriefing session for students and staff, if necessary.


• Document event in Integrated Services, Emergency Management, Code Black Evacuation/Relocation, indicate actual event in entry.


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CODE YELLOW: Medical Emergency

Situations that may result in a medical emergency include but are not limited to:

• Student or staff require an ambulance/hospital attention

• Student or staff is injured, first aid only

• Allergic reaction

Immediate Actions:• Summon trained first aiders.

• Call 911.

• Assign employee to bring first aid kit to scene of accident.

• Ensure someone is available to direct emergency vehicles if applicable.

• Contact emergency contact, i.e. parent/guardian, spouse.

• Call CCRCE Emergency Line: 902-897-8902 (as necessary).

• Consider activating Code Blue Hold & Secure to keep emergency scene clear and secure.




• Any serious injuries must be reported to the Department of Labour, contact CCRCE Health & Safety to ensure required reporting procedures are followed.


An event at the school or during a school sponsored event requiring a medical response.

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CODE ORANGE: Staff Assistance

Situations that may require staff assistance:• Physical threat (Special Needs)

• Event on the playground

• Security threat requiring assistance

Immediate Actions:• Initiate appropriate school based plan.

• Ensure appropriate staff respond.

• Call 911 as necessary.

• If a workplace violence event, ensure to follow steps identified in workplace violence prevention plan.


• Contact Student Services Consultant as necessary to review behaviour plan.

• Contact Communications Manager as necessary.


Staff Assistance is defined as an event where a team of staff maybe required to respond to an incident to prevent further escalation or assist with an emergency situation at the school.

Specific Hazards and Responses

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14

Chemical Spill in the School This is defined as a significant spill of amount and/or toxicity of a chemical released which poses a health hazard to the occupants of the building. In this situation the Material Safety Data Sheets should be referred to immediately.

Immediate Actions:• Contact 911, hazmat response may be required.

• Close all windows and doors in the school.

• Evacuate students and staff as necessary. Follow Code Black procedure to relocate and Code Yellow for Medical Emergency as necessary.

• Cordon off a large area around the location of the substance or hazard with tape or chairs with clear warning of the hazard.

• Close off the room, lock and tape the door and shut off all air handling systems in the school.

• Only qualified personnel are permitted in the room.

• If it is an apparent biological contaminant, keep school staff and students who were exposed to the material segregated from the unexposed school population.

• Wear gloves and goggles if in the vicinity of the spill and do not touch eyes, nose or any other part of your body.

• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.

• If clothing is heavily contaminated, attempt to remove clothes as individual may need to be decontaminated (hazmat will assist with this procedure.)



• Contact Communications Manager for assistance with preparing correspondence to parents and media related questions.




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Bomb ThreatAny school/site receiving a bomb threat must evaluate the threat using all available information to determine the appropriate actions for response. The principal will conduct a threat assessment in collaboration with police agencies and will then determine if evacuation is warranted.

Immediate Actions:If threat is received by phone:

• Listen, be calm and courteous, and try to keep the caller on the phone as long as possible.

• Obtain as much information as you can, try to ask the following questions:What time will the bomb explode? Where is it?Why did you place the bomb? What does it look like?Where are you calling from? What is your name?

• Initiate call trace action if available (after you hang up, wait for the dial tone and dial *81).

• Document the details of the call during and after the call, using appropriate forms.

• Call 911 with information immediately available (in all cases).

• The principal shall assess the call (refer to Bomb Threats, Assessment and Management, NS DoEED) and decide whether evacuation of the school is required. This will depend on the information gathered during the call, from the police and any other relevant information.


• Search the building – Consult with police and with staff (no students) and complete a search of the building.

• The Principal may consider using a Hold and Secure while completing the hazard assessment and search of the building to keep students and staff in one location.

• Review and follow CCRCE Bomb Threat Policy.

Follow Up Actions:• Contact the FOSS.





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Bus/Vehicle Accident A vehicle incident involving students and/or staff.

Immediate Actions:• Call CCRCE Emergency Line: 902-897-8902.

• Have the bus driver indicate what students on their bus list were involved.

• Discuss incident with Transportation Foreman.

• Ensure parents/guardians of students involved in the accident are contacted.



• Arrange for an EAP/Debriefing Session for students and staff, if necessary.



17

Kidnapping/Lost ChildA child that is missing as a result of leaving the school grounds without permission or being taken by an authorized person.

Immediate Actions:• Contact 911.

• If appropriate, initiate Hold and Secure in the school to confirm missing child and that all others are accounted for.

• If applicable use intercom to try to prompt student to come out of hiding if suspected he/she is still on school grounds.

• Designate staff to search school and school grounds (off site if applicable).

• Contact parents/guardians.

• Request all known information related to the missing student (police may wish to talk with staff directly involved with student).

• Check cameras at the school (if applicable) to see if any relevant information.


• Contact Communications Manager for assistance with preparing correspondence to parents and communication with media as needed.




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Shelter in PlaceAn emergency that would require staff and students to remain at the school after regular school hours and possibly overnight. This may be required during inclement weather or another emergency during which transporting students is too dangerous.

Immediate Actions:• Once determined a shelter in place must be initiated, contact parents/guardians

to ensure they are aware of the situation.

• Maintain contact with Operational Services and FOSS regarding any updates on the ability to relocate staff and students.

• Take appropriate immediate precautions depending on conditions such as: snow (shovel out fire exits), smoke (close doors and windows and shut off air handling systems, water (respond to flood condition).

• Work with staff to develop plans to ensure students have adequate food, water and activities.

• Ensure appropriate outside agencies are aware of the situation and the need for the school to maintain a shelter in place, such as local fire department, Emergency Management Office (EMO), etc.

• Ensure at least one person is designated as fire warden at all times to do a sweep of the building each hour and document such.

• Designate staff to accept phone calls.

• Contact Communications Manager to assist with communication to parents and media.


Revised August 2014

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT CODESChignecto Central

Regional Centre for Educa�on

• Activate alarm.• Evacuate students and staff.• Do a sweep of the area.• Close windows and classroom door.• Confirm attendance once outside.

• Advise school administrator of any missing students, students requiring assistance with evacuation or other concerns.

For emergencies such as Fire, Smoke or Suspected FireCODE RED:Fire

For emergencies such as Animal Threat, Altercation Involving Students, Threat Outside Building, Custody Dispute Concern, Police Action in Community or Medical Emergency in School.

• Follow directions of principal or designate.

• Confirm attendance.• Keep windows and doors closed.

• In event fire alarm is pulled during a Hold & Secure, staff shall only leave their location if smoke or fire is evident.

CODE BLUE:Hold & Secure

Used for emergencies such as Unauthorized Visitor with Unknown Intent, A Violent or Potentially Violent Incident Inside the School.

• Move students/staff/visitors into safe area.

• Secure doors and rooms; try to avoid detection.

• Prohibit cell phone use.• Confirm attendance.• Remain in area until released by

police.

CODE BLUE:Lockdown

Used for emergencies such as Fire, Bomb Threat, Chemical Release in Community, Police Action in Community, Flood or Other Disaster Related Event.

• Evacuate building and confirm attendance.

• Relocate to off-site location.• Confirm attendance.• Follow procedures for student pick-up.

• Ensure medication is available for student who require.

• Ensure plan for student/staff requiring assistance because evacuation is initiated.

CODE BLACK:Evacuation& Relocation

When Medical Assistance is needed such as Student/Staff Require Ambulance, Hospital, First Aid or Allergic Reaction.

• Contact office immediately to request assistance.• Assist first aiders as necessary.• Designate someone to meet emergency responders.

CODE YELLOW:Medical Emergency

When any type of assistance is needed in a specific room or when ADDITIONAL STAFF is needed for Physical Threat, Event on Playground or Security Threat Requiring Assistance.

• Request assistance through pre-determined means (office or staff request).• Follow steps to calm individual, non-verbal communication strategies.

CODE ORANGE:Staff Assistance

60 Lorne Street, Truro Nova Scotia B2N 3K3 | Phone: 902-897-8900 Fax: 902-897-8966


www.ccrce.ca | @CCRCE | @CCRCE_NS

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Regional Centre for Education Emergency Response For Schools and... · 2019-10-04 · Emergency...

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