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Preparedness

Colorado School Safety Resource Center Preparedness Materials

  • Response: Emergency Actions for K-12 Schools (CSSRC: Updated)

    • As part of a collaborative work group effort, and recently approved by the advisory board of the CSSRC, it is recommended that K-12 schools have protocols for five basic emergency actions to help ensure safety of all individuals on school site in the event of an actual emergency or for various crisis situations: lockdown, lockout (secured building), shelter-in-place (including weather shelter), evacuation, and a protocol for release and reunification of students to reunite them with parents/caregivers after an event.

    • The document is intended as guidance to Colorado schools and recommends consultation and development of protocols with community emergency responders, customizing procedures as needed for individual school sites and developing plans for students and staff with special needs. In addition key messages include that all staff and students be trained through drill and practice, parents informed of protocols, and that schools review plans after all drills and actual events.

  • Responding to Fire Alarms: Is it a fire? Or is it a shooter?

    • In an effort to protect our citizens from the hazards of both fire and criminal threats, the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control (DFPC), the Colorado School Safety Resource Center (CSSRC) and Colorado Information Analysis Center (CIAC) have developed guidelines which we believe provide the best outcome in often fluid situations. These guidelines recognize that each school should have a specific plan, developed in consultation with appropriate fire and Law enforcement officials, on how to best respond to incidents

  • Colorado School Safety Resource Center Emergency Operations Planning Resources

    • The Colorado School Emergency Operations Plan Exercise Toolkit was produced in a cooperative effort by the Governor's Office of Homeland Security, Colorado Division of Emergency Management (Department of Local Affairs) and CSSRC (Colorado Department of Public Safety). It has been developed in a cooperative effort by a subcommittee of the Emergency Planning & Response Working Group established by the Colorado School Safety Resource Center (CSSRC). This Toolkit provides schools and school districts a tool for a discussion-based (tabletop) test and review of emergency preparedness and response plans for a variety of disasters or emergency situations.
Colorado School Emergency Operations Plan Exercise Toolkit

The Colorado School Emergency Operations Plan Exercise Toolkit was produced in a cooperative effort by the Governor's Office of Homeland Security, Colorado Division of Emergency Management (Department of Local Affairs) and CSSRC (Colorado Department of Public Safety). It has been developed in a cooperative effort by a subcommittee of the Emergency Planning &, Response Working Group established by the Colorado School Safety Resource Center (CSSRC).

This Toolkit provides schools and school districts a tool for a discussion-based (tabletop) test and review of emergency preparedness and response plans for a variety of disasters or emergency situations. For further consultation or technical assistance from the working group, please contact the Colorado School Safety Resource Center.

  • Comprehensive School Safety Planning: Suggested Elements for Districts and Schools | (Compiled by CSSRC)

    • This template, which continues to be updated was modeled after the U.S. Department of Education's (2007) four phase model of emergency planning: Prevention/Mitigation, Preparedness, Response and Recovery. This model is also in compliance with the Colorado Safe Schools Act CRS 22-32-109.1 which requires each school district to adopt and implement a safe schools plan.

    • Comprehensive School Safety Planning: Elements Checklist (pdf) (word)

    • Comprehensive School Safety Planning: Elements Checklist Combined with the Six US Federal Government Agencies' Guide for Developing High-Quality School Emergency Operations Plans (pdf) (word) (July 2014)

  • Response: Emergency Actions for K-12 Schools (CSSRC: Updated)

    • As part of a collaborative work group effort, and recently approved by the advisory board of the CSSRC, it is recommended that K-12 schools have protocols for five basic emergency actions to help ensure safety of all individuals on school site in the event of an actual emergency or for various crisis situations: lockdown, lockout (secured building), shelter-in-place (including weather shelter), evacuation, and a protocol for release and reunification of students to reunite them with parents/caregivers after an event.

    • The document is intended as guidance to Colorado schools and recommends consultation and development of protocols with community emergency responders, customizing procedures as needed for individual school sites and developing plans for students and staff with special needs. In addition key messages include that all staff and students be trained through drill and practice, parents informed of protocols, and that schools review plans after all drills and actual events.

Other Preparedness Materials

American Red Cross

  • Preparedness Topics

  • Preparedness Tools and Resources, available in multiple languages

  • Prepare Your School

    • Part of the American Red Cross Ready Rating™, a first-of-its-kind membership program designed to help businesses, organizations and schools become better prepared for emergencies. Members join this free, self-paced program and complete a 123-point self-assessment of the level of preparedness to reveal areas for improvement.

    • You'll learn tips and best practices so you don't feel like you're alone out there. And most importantly, members make a commitment to improve their readiness score each year - because preparedness is a continuous process and not a one-time effort.

  • Flooding

  • Thunderstorms

  • Tornadoes

  • Wildfire Preparedness

  • Red Cross Apps for mobile devices (Available in English and Spanish)

Campus Safety Weather Solution Buying Guide

Learn to build your campus safety weather policy from the ground up and how to implement an effective weather technology stack to make these processes automated, effective and second-nature at your university. Safety has become a major focus on campus, and with good reason. Campus Safety Weather Solution Buying Guide (PDF - 9.02MB).

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

  • Preparedness Resources for Schools

  • Schools and education agencies cannot prevent natural disasters or even many man-made crises, but they can prepare for and plan to respond to such emergencies. Resources are available to help schools, education agencies, and institutions of higher education develop such plans, usually in collaboration with public health and first responder agencies.

  • Topics covered include: emergency planning, school violence, safe facilities, crisis resources, schools and terrorism, biosecurity for foodservice, pandemic influenza emergencies.

Colorado Emergency Preparedness Partnership (CEPP)

  • The mission of the Colorado Emergency Preparedness Partnership is to strengthen the region's collective capacity to prevent, respond to, and recover from natural and human-caused disasters through effective public-private collaboration.

  • The Colorado Emergency Preparedness Partnership is a collaborative enterprise created by the Denver Police Foundation, Business Executives for National Security and the Philanthropy Roundtable. It is a broad coalition to implement a voluntary, all-hazards partnership between business and government and, to date, is the product of many Colorado partners including leaders of the philanthropic community, federal, state and local agencies, business, academia, and US Northern Command.

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDHPE)

Colorado Department of Public Safety

Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA)

  • The mission of the CHSAA is to serve its membership through the advancement of, and the student's participation in interscholastic activities, which are an integral component and a complement to the educational goals of its member schools.

  • Guidelines for Security, Safety & Crisis Management. Cognizant of the need for security, safety, and crisis management at high school co-curricular events, the Colorado High School Activities Association, in upholding their traditions of proper maintenance of high school athletics and activities, suggests the following procedures as outlined in this manual.

National Council on Disability

Consortium for Infant and Child Health

  • Emergency Preparedness for Families of Children with Special Needs

    • Published in 2011, this guide is a project of the Consortium for Infant and Child Health (CINCH) Children with Special Health Care Needs Work Group.

    • For families of children with special needs planning becomes even more difficult. Knowing how you will respond is critical. It means extra attention to details and needs that typical families may not have to worry about. Using this preparation and planning guide can help you be better prepared, no matter what the emergency or disaster!

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

  • Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Child ID App

    • The FBI Child ID App provides a free and convenient way of storing critical information, including photos of your child. If the need arises, you won't have to spend precious time remembering or collecting this information. In addition to capturing identifying information and characteristics, the app provides tips for keeping kids safe. The app also provides guidance for what steps adults can take during the first 24 and 48 hours after a child's disappearance. For concerned parents or guardians, having these suggestions at their fingertips can help them to carry out appropriate actions more quickly. In the event of an emergency, the app can be used to communicate directly with the authorities, including local 911 and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The child's information can also be sent directly from the app.

    • The app is available for both iPhones and Android phones. The content of the app is also available in PDF format, so individuals without the app can still benefit from the tips and resources.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

  • FEMA P-1000, Safer, Stronger, Smarter: A Guide to Improving School Natural Hazard Safety (2017)

    • This Guide provides up-to-date, authoritative information and guidance that schools can use to develop a comprehensive strategy for addressing natural hazards. It is intended to be used by administrators, facilities managers, emergency managers, emergency planning committees, and teachers and staff at K through 12 schools.

  • Local Colorado Office, FEMA Region VIII

  • Catalogue of Youth Disaster Preparedness Education Resources

    • Updated September 2013

    • The Catalogue of Youth Disaster Preparedness Education Resources was created to assist individuals with locating preparedness resources that are tailored to youth. Research has shown that youth disaster preparedness education is vital to building and maintaining resilient communities - especially when incorporating key recommended practices.

  • Citizen Corps

    • Citizen Corps was created to help coordinate volunteer activities that will make our communities safer, stronger, and better prepared to respond to any emergency situation. It provides opportunities for people to participate in a range of measures to make their families, their homes, and their communities safer from the threats of crime, terrorism, and disasters of all kinds.

  • Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT)

    • The CERT Program educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. Using the training learned in the classroom and during exercises, CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help. CERT members also are encouraged to support emergency response agencies by taking a more active role in emergency preparedness projects in their community.

  • Comprehensive Preparedness Guide (CPG) 201: Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment Guide, Second Edition

    • Published September 2013

    • CPG 201 describes a standard process for identifying community-specific threats and hazards and setting capability targets for each core capability identified in the National Preparedness Goal as required in Presidential Policy Directive (PPD) 8: National Preparedness. Also included are an estimation of resources needed to meet the capability targets and examples.

  • Emergency Management Institute

    • The Emergency Management Institute was created to support the Department of Homeland Security and FEMA's goals by improving the competencies of the U.S. officials in Emergency Management at all levels of government to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate the potential effects of all types of disasters and emergencies on the American people.

    • Contains access to several online and distance learning courses.

  • Teen Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)

    • Created by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

    • Teen CERT training teaches you readiness and response skills. Hands-on practice and realistic exercises prepare you for the unexpected in your community. Newly learned leadership skills empower you to safely respond to an emergency and assist victims without endangering yourself or others. You'll be equipped with skills that last a lifetime.

  • School Emergency Management Training Programs

    • The U.S. Departments of Homeland Security and Education recommend all key personnel involved in school emergency management and incident response take the NIMS, ICS, and NRF training courses and support the implementation of NIMS.

List of NIMS, ICS & NRF Training Courses

 

IS-100.C: Introduction to the Incident Command System

  • This course describes the history, features and principles, and organizational structure of the Incident Command System. It also explains the relationship between ICS and the National Incident Management System (NIMS).

IS-120.C: An Introduction to Exercises

  • This course introduces the basics of emergency management exercises. It also builds a foundation for subsequent exercise courses, which provide the specifics of the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) and the National Standard Exercise Curriculum (NSEC).

IS-200.C: ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents

  • ICS 200 is designed to enable personnel to operate efficiently during an incident or event within the Incident Command System (ICS). ICS-200 provides training on and resources for personnel who are likely to assume a supervisory position within the ICS.

IS-360: Preparing for Mass Casualty Incidents: A Guide for Schools, Higher Education, and Houses of Worship

  • This course provides leading practices and resources to assist elementary and secondary schools, institutions of higher education, and houses of worship in developing emergency plans for preparing for, responding to, and recovering from mass casualty incidents.

IS-362.A: Multi-Hazard Emergency Planning for Schools

  • This course covers basic information about developing, implementing, and maintaining a school emergency operations plan (EOP). The goal of this course is to provide students with an understanding of the importance of schools having an EOP and basic information on how an EOP is developed, exercised, and maintained.

IS-366.A: Planning for the Needs of Children in Disasters

  • The purpose of this course is to provide guidance for Emergency Managers and implementers of children's programs about meeting the unique needs that arise among children as a result of a disaster or emergency.

IS-1300: Continuity of Operations Planning Awareness

  • This course introduces students to the concept of continuity planning., The course provides a brief overview of continuity, including its definition, the legal basis for continuity planning, the Continuity Program Management Cycle, and essential elements of a viable continuity program.

IS-660: Introduction to Public-Private Partnerships

  • This course provides an introduction to the role of public-private partnerships in emergency preparedness and planning. The goal of this training is to establish a common vocabulary for public sector agencies and private sector organizations interested in utilizing partnerships to improve response, recovery, and resilience.

IS-662: Improving Preparedness and Resilience through Public-Private Partnerships

  • Public-private partnerships enhance all aspects of emergency management: preparedness, protection, response, recovery, and mitigation. They do so by engaging in activities such as information sharing, emergency planning, emergency communications, and resource sharing. This course describes how to establish and sustain public-private partnerships, as well as how to communicate and share resources in a partnership.

IS-700.B: National Incident Management System (NIMS) An Introduction

  • This course introduces and overviews the National Incident Management System (NIMS). NIMS provides a consistent nationwide template to enable all government, private-sector, and nongovernmental organizations to work together during domestic incidents.

IS-800.C: National Response Framework - An Introduction

  • The course introduces participants to the concepts and principles of the National Response Framework.

IS-2900.A: National Disaster Recovery Framework (NDRF) Overview

  • This course provides individuals supporting disaster recovery efforts with a foundation in National Disaster Recovery Framework (NDRF) key concepts, core principles and roles and responsibilities of NDRF leadership (including those of individuals and households to governmental entities at the local, State, tribal, and Federal levels, and between public, private and nonprofit sectors).

 

  • Guidance on Planning for Integration of Functional Needs Support Services in General Population Shelters

    • Published by FEMA in November 2010, this guide is intended to assist emergency managers and shelter planners in understanding the requirements related to sheltering children and adults with functional support needs in general population shelters. These guidelines identify methods of achieving a lawful and equitable program through the delivery of functional needs support services for children and adults.

  • Homeland Security Exercise & Evaluation (HSEEP)

    • The Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) is a capabilities and performance-based exercise program that provides a standardized methodology and terminology for exercise design, development, conduct, evaluation, and improvement planning.

    • Homeland Security Exercise & Evaluation Program (HSEEP): A Quick Reference Guide

      • Created by the Center for Infectious Diseases &, Emergency Readiness, in the University of California, Berkeley School of Public Health, this document provides a concise introduction and overview of HSEEP.

  • Community Safe Rooms

    • Released September 2016 by FEMA

  • National Incident Management System (NIMS)

    • NIMS is a systematic, proactive approach to guide departments and agencies at all levels of government, nongovernmental organizations, and the private sector to work together seamlessly and manage incidents involving all threats and hazards - regardless of cause, size, location, or complexity - in order to reduce loss of life, property and harm to the environment. The NIMS is the essential foundation to the National Preparedness System (NPS) and provides the template for the management of incidents and operations in support of all five National Planning Frameworks.

  • National Strategy for Youth Preparedness Education

    • Published September 2014

    • The National Strategy couples attention on emergency and disaster preparedness with community action that focuses specifically on youth readiness for disasters and related events. The National Strategy was developed in partnership with the American Red Cross and the U.S. Department of Education.

    • Organizations can use the National Strategy to further encourage youth preparedness through nine priorities including: building partnerships to enhance, increase, and implement youth preparedness learning programs, connecting young people with their families, communities, first responders, and other youth, and increasing school preparedness.

  • Ready.Gov | en Español

    • Launched in February 2003, Ready is a national public service advertising (PSA) campaign designed to educate and empower Americans to prepare for and respond to emergencies including natural and man-made disasters. The goal of the campaign is to get the public involved and ultimately to increase the level of basic preparedness across the nation.

  • Ready Kids

    • Ready Kids is a tool to help parents and teachers educate children in grades 4-5 about emergencies and how they can help get their family prepared. Ready Kids is part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Ready campaign, a national public service advertising campaign designed to educate and empower Americans to prepare for and respond to natural disasters, potential terrorist attacks and other emergencies. The Ready Kids web site features age-appropriate, step-by-step instructions on what families can do to be better prepared and the role kids can play in this effort.

  • Special Events Contingency Planning for Public Safety Agencies

    • This course introduces you to planning for or conducting a special event.

    • This is an independent study course from the FEMA Emergency Management Institute.

  • A Whole Community Approach to Emergency Management: Principles, Themes & Pathways for Action (Dec. 2011)

    • This document presents a foundation for increasing individual preparedness and engaging with members of the community as collaborative resources to enhance the resiliency and security of our Nation through a Whole Community approach. The document is intended to promote greater understanding of the approach and to provide a strategic framework to guide all members of the emergency management community as they determine how to integrate Whole Community into their daily practices.

  • Youth Preparedness

    • Strategies and tools are included here for creating a youth preparedness program. Resources and links to partners help ensure that programs have the resources and support they need.

    • For further assistance and with questions, contact: FEMA-Youth-Preparedness@fema.dhs.gov.

    • Considering that children comprise approximately 25 percent of our population, disaster planning, response, and recovery efforts must take into account the unique needs that children have. Children also bring many unique strengths to emergency preparedness, such as bringing the message of preparedness home to their families, being leaders, and being more confident during emergencies and disasters after learning about emergency preparedness.

National Fire Protection Association

National Mass Care Strategy

  • During times of emergency and disasters, mass care provides emergency relief and services to the community as a whole. To best address these needs, a National Mass Care Strategy will be developed through a collaborative process led by the American Red Cross, Federal Emergency Management Agency and National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster and under the direction of the National Mass Care Council.

  • Children and Disasters: An Integrated Approach to Disaster Planning, Response and Recovery (Slides from a webinar presented in April 2014)

Ready.gov

  • NEW - - Extreme Heat Safety Preparedness

    • There is hot, and then there is hot! Extreme heat is a period of high heat and humidity with temperatures above 90 degrees for at least two to three days. In extreme heat your body works extra hard to maintain a normal temperature, which can lead to death. Extreme heat is responsible for the highest number of annual deaths among all weather-related hazards.

Sesame Street

  • Sesame Street provides resources for families with young children.

  • Emergencies

    • Hurricanes, storms, and other natural disasters can be difficult for young children who may not fully understand what's going on around them. These tips, activities, and videos can help them feel safe, cope with emotions, and understand that there is hope for the future.

  • Let's Get Ready! Planning Together for Emergencies

    • This preparedness toolkit for parents provides tips, activities, and other easy tools to help families prepare for emergencies.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) - Administration for Children and Families (ACF)

  • The Administration for Children & Families (ACF) is a division of the Department of Health & Human Services. ACF promotes the economic and social well-being of families, children, individuals and communities.

  • The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is the United States government's principal agency for protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services, especially for those who are least able to help themselves.

  • Children and Youth Task Force in Disasters: Guidelines for Development

    • Published September 2013, this guide introduces Whole Community partners to Children and Youth Task Forces in Disasters and includes recommendations for states, tribes, territories, and local communities interested in launching their own Children and Youth Task Forces. It also outlines the support that ACF can provide. It was developed using vital lessons learned in meeting the needs of children and youth in recent disasters such as Superstorm Sandy, Hurricane Isaac, and the Joplin tornado. In addition, the guide provides guidance to help emergency management, human services, and public health professionals implement an effective approach to supporting children's needs in emergency preparedness, response, and recovery.

 

 

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