School Emergency Plan

EFFECTIVE 3-17-2003

In order to be prepared for emergency situations in the schools of the Diocese of Charlotte, many schools already have some plans in place. These plans are for Fire, Tornado and Lock Down situation. The Diocesan schools will use their current plans and enhance them as necessary to ensure that the schools are safe and secure and prepared for emergencies.

These emergency situations could occur at the school or in the neighborhood or in the community in which each is located. Because of this, each school plan must be coordinated with their local emergency preparedness teams the Police Department, the Fire Department and the Red Cross.

With input from the American Red Cross, we have been informed that more than likely there would be a very few circumstances where students would be confined to their buildings for more than 3-4 hours during an emergency from outside the building. The plans that are enacted take this into consideration. At the same time, contingency plans should be in place in case this time was extended for some reason.

Knowing that some of our buildings could be designated as emergency shelters for other businesses/people, each school should be prepared.

Each school will have the following in place as part of their plan:

I. Items on hand for each teacher/staff member responsible for students:

Flashlights that use the same type of batteries

Extra batteries for the flashlights

First Aid Kit (could be a small class-room/car-type kit)

Battery-operated radios

Extra batteries for the radios

II. Items on hand in the building:

Cell phones programmed with the same emergency numbers

Walkie-talkies or pager/cell phones for communicating

Moist towlettes/washcloths

Plastic garbage bags

Paper products (towels, etc.)

Bottled water

Non-perishable food

III. A plan for Building Evacuation if threat is inside:

Level I Fire Drill Plan
Level II Off the site within walking distance

IV. A plan for a threat outside the building:

Level I Lock Down in classrooms
Level II Lock Down in Common Area

V. A plan for check out of students should parents wish to pick up their
Children. This plan should include procedures for parent as well as designated other responsible person, should the parent be unable to get to the school. (This could be noted on the emergency card completed at the beginning of each year).

VI. A plan for a web-site information page, to post emergency information for parents to view, to keep them informed.

VII. A plan for directing parents to web pages with information on helping
their children deal with emergency situations.

www.redcrosshelps.org

www.fema.gov/kids

www.ed.gov/emergencyplan

(other local community web sites)

 

VIII. A reference to the Diocesan Schools website, where we will be able to post emergency information as it is submitted to us by each school
throughout the year.

www.charlottediocese.org/catholicschools.html

IX. A copy of their plan distributed to all school staff and parents.

X. A copy of their plan distributed to the Diocesan Schools Office

XI.One designated "head contact" for emergencies. This should be the

Principal, but an alternate should also be listed. This is the person who
makes the decisions at the local school.

With this plan in place at all of the schools, we will be prepared to deal with any
emergency that might occur on a given school day. We appreciate the input from the Diocesan School Board, the MACS School Board, Mr. Joe Becker of the American Red
Cross, Mr. Janos Gergely, Diocesan Principals, Diocesan Teachers and the Diocesan
Schools Staff.