Emergency Operations Plan

Cuero Independent School District

Updated November 2019

Promulgation Statement

Cuero ISD is committed to the safety and security of students, faculty, staff, and visitors on its campuses. In order to support that commitment, the School Board has asked for a thorough review of Cuero ISD’s emergency mitigation/prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery procedures relevant to natural and human-caused disasters.

The Emergency Operations Plan that follows is the official policy of Cuero ISD. It is a result of a comprehensive review and update of school policies in the context of its location in Cuero, Texas, and in the current world situation. We support its recommendations and commit the Cuero ISD’s resources to ongoing training, exercises, and maintenance required to keep it current.

This plan is a blueprint that relies on the commitment and expertise of individuals within and outside of the Cuero ISD community. Furthermore, clear communication with emergency management officials and ongoing monitoring of emergency management practices and advisories is essential.

This emergency operations plan is hereby approved. This plan is effective immediately and supersedes all previous editions.

____________________________

SUPERINTENDENT DATE

____________________________

SCHOOL BOARD DATE

TABLE OF CONTENTS BASIC PLAN

1. AUTHORITY 1

   State 1

2. PURPOSE 1

3. EXPLANATION OF TERMS 2

   1. Acronyms 2

   2. Definitions 3

4. SITUATION AND ASSUMPTIONS 4

   1. Situation 5

   2. Assumptions 7

5. CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS 8

   1. Objectives 8

   2. General 8

   3. Operational Guidance 9

   4. Incident Command System 11

   5. Incident Command System (ICS)—Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Interface 12

   6. Activities by Phases of Emergency Management 12

6. ORGANIZATION AND ASSIGNMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES 14

   1. Organization 14

   2. Assignment of Responsibilities 15

7. DIRECTION AND CONTROL 21

   1. General 21

   2. Emergency Facilities 21

   3. Continuation of School Administration 22

8. READINESS LEVELS 22

   1. Readiness Levels 22

   2. Readiness Level Descriptions 22

9. ADMINISTRATION AND SUPPORT 24

   1. Agreements and Contracts 24

   2. Reports 24

   3. Records 24

   4. Consumer Protection 26

   5. Post-Incident and Exercise Review 26

10. PLAN DEVELOPMENT AND MAINTENANCE 26

    1. Plan Development 26

    2. Distribution of Planning Documents 26

    3. Review 26

    4. Update 26

11. REFERENCES 27

12. APPENDICES

ANNEXES (distributed under separate cover)

Annex A – Warning .................................................................................................................. A-1

Annex B – Communications..................................................................................................... B-1

Annex C – Shelter & Mass Care .............................................................................................. C-1

Annex D – Student/Family Reunification ................................................................................. D-1

Annex E – Evacuation.......................................................................................................... .... E-1

Annex F – Limited Fire Suppression........................................................................................ F-1

Annex G – Law Enforcement ................................................................................................... G-1

Annex H – First Aid .................................................................................................................. H-1

Annex I – Emergency Public Information................................................................................ I-1

Annex J – Recovery................................................................................................................. J-1

Annex K – Natural Hazards ..................................................................................................... K-1

Annex L – Human-caused Hazards ......................................................................................... L-1

Annex M – Resource Management ......................................................................................... M-1

Annex N – Direction and Control ............................................................................................. N-1

Annex O – Hazard Mitigation ................................................................................................... O-1

Annex P –Coordination with Emergency Services................................................................... P-1

Annex Q – Search and Rescue ............................................................................................... Q-1

Annex R – Transportation ........................................................................................................ R-1

Annex S – Donations Management ......................................................................................... S-1

Annex T – Legal............................................................................................................... ........ T-1

Annex U– Terrorist Incident Response .................................................................................... U-1

I. AUTHORITY

Safety Program/Risk Management: CKC (Legal)

Each district shall adopt and implement a Multihazard emergency operations plan for use in District schools. The plan must address mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery as defined by the Commissioner in conjunction with the governor’s office of homeland security. The plan must provide for:

1. District employee training in responding to an emergency;

2. Mandatory school drills to prepare District students and employees for responding to an emergency;

3. Measures to ensure coordination with local emergency management agencies, law enforcement, and fire departments in the event of an emergency; and

4. The implementation of a required security audit.

At least once every three years, the District shall conduct a security audit of the District’s facilities. To the extent possible, the District shall follow security audit procedures developed by the Texas School Safety Center or a comparable public or private entity. The District shall report the results of the security audit to the Board.

Education Code 37.108

II. PURPOSE

This Emergency Operations Plan outlines Cuero ISD’s approach to emergency management and operations. It provides general guidance for emergency management activities and an overview of Cuero ISD’s methods of mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. The plan describes Cuero ISD’s emergency response organization and assigns responsibilities for various emergency tasks. This plan is intended to empower employees in an emergency and clarify emergency roles and response. It is also intended to provide a framework for more specific functional annexes that describe in more detail who does what, when, and how. This plan applies to all local Cuero ISD’s officials, staff, and students. The primary audience for the document includes the school board, school district, school administrators, staff tasked within the document or annexes, emergency management staff, leaders of local volunteer organizations that support emergency operations, and others who may participate in mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery efforts.

This plan outlines Cuero ISD’s approach to emergency management and operations. It has been developed to assist Cuero ISD to protect its staff and students during an emergency situation. This plan takes an all-hazard approach to emergency management and plans for mitigation/prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery.

Mission and Goals

1. The mission of Cuero ISD in an emergency/disaster is to:

    

   1. Protect lives and property

       

   2. Mitigate the effects of a disaster

   3. Be prepared for emergencies and disasters

       

   4. Respond to emergencies promptly and properly

       

   5. Aid in recovery from disasters

       

2. The goals of Cuero ISD are to:

    

   1. Provide emergency response plans, services, and supplies for all facilities and employees

       

   2. Coordinate the use of school personnel and facilities within the school

       

   3. Restore normal services as quickly as possible

       

   4. Provide detailed and accurate documentation of emergencies to aid in the recovery process

III. EXPLANATION OF TERMS

1. Acronyms

    

   ARC American Red Cross

   CFR Code of Federal Regulations

   DEM Division of Emergency Management

   EOC Emergency Operations Center

   EPI Emergency Public information

   FBI Federal Bureau of Investigation

   FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency

   Hazmat Hazardous Material IC Incident Commander

   ICP Incident Command Post

   ICS Incident Command System

   SOPs Standard Operating Procedures

   TSA The Salvation Army

2. Definitions

    

   1. Emergency Public Information (EPI): Information that is disseminated to the public via the news media before, during, and/or after an emergency or disaster.

       

   2. Emergency Situation: As used in this plan, this term is intended to describe a range of situations, from an incident to a major disaster. It includes the following:

       

   3. Incident: An incident is a situation that is limited in scope and potential effects. Characteristics of an incident include:

       

      1. Involves a limited area and/or limited population.

          

      2. Evacuation or in-place sheltering is typically limited to the immediate area of the incident.

          

      3. Warning and public instructions are provided in the immediate area, not community- wide.

          

      4. One or two local response agencies or departments acting under an IC normally handle incidents. Requests for resource support are normally handled through agency and/or departmental channels.

          

      5. May require limited external assistance from other local response agencies or contractors.

          

   4. Emergency: An emergency is a situation is larger in scope and more severe in terms of actual or potential effects than an incident. Characteristics include:

       

      1. Involves a large area, significant population, or important facilities.

          

      2. May require implementation of large-scale evacuation or in-place sheltering and implementation of temporary shelter and mass care operations.

          

      3. May require community-wide warning and public instructions.

          

      4. Requires a sizable multi-agency response operating under an IC.

          

      5. May require some external assistance from other local response agencies, contractors, and limited assistance from state or federal agencies.

          

      6. The EOC will be activated to provide general guidance and direction, coordinate external support, and provide resource support for the incident.

          

   5. Disaster: A disaster involves the occurrence or threat of significant casualties and/or widespread property damage that is beyond the capability of the local government to handle with its organic resources. Characteristics include:

       

      1. Involves a large area, a sizable population, and/or important facilities.

          

      2. May require implementation of large-scale evacuation or in-place sheltering and implementation of temporary shelter and mass care operations.

      3. Requires community-wide warning and public instructions.

          

      4. Requires a response by all local response agencies operating under one or more ICs.

          

      5. Requires significant external assistance from other local response agencies, contractors, and extensive state or federal assistance.

          

      6. The EOC will be activated to provide general guidance and direction, provide emergency information to the public, coordinate state and federal support, and coordinate resource support for emergency operations.

          

   6. Hazard Analysis: A document published separately from this plan that identifies the local hazards that have caused or possess the potential to adversely affect public health and safety, public or private property, or the environment.

       

   7. Hazardous Material (Hazmat): A substance in a quantity or form posing an unreasonable risk to health, safety, and/or property when manufactured, stored, or transported. The substance, by its nature, containment, and reactivity, has the capability for inflicting harm during an accidental occurrence. It can be toxic, corrosive, flammable, reactive, an irritant, or a strong sensitizer, and poses a threat to health and the environment when improperly managed.

      Hazmats include toxic substances, certain infectious agents, radiological

      materials, and other related materials such as oil, used oil, petroleum products, and industrial solid waste substances.

       

   8. Inter-local agreements: Arrangements between governments or organizations, either public or private, for reciprocal aid and assistance during emergency situations where the resources of a single jurisdiction or organization are insufficient or inappropriate for the tasks that must be performed to control the situation. Commonly referred to as a mutual aid agreement.

       

   9. Standard Operating Procedures (SOP): Approved methods for accomplishing a task or set of tasks. SOPs are typically prepared at the department or agency level.

IV. SITUATION AND ASSUMPTIONS

1. Situation

    

   Cuero ISD is exposed to hazards, all of which have the potential for disrupting the school community, causing casualties, and damaging or destroying public or private property. More detailed information will be provided in the Vulnerability Self-Assessment Tool (VSAT).

    

2. Describe the enrollment and employment figures

    

   The district’s current enrollment is approximately 1,981 students of which 638 attend the district’s high school, 475 attend the middle school, 539 attend the elementary school for grades 2-5, and 329 attend the elementary school for grades EE-1. The district’s staff is comprised of 373 teachers, administrators, office/support staff, aides, cafeteria, transportation, and facilities staff.

3. Cuero ISD is made up of eleven buildings

    

   1. The Cuero ISD consists of an administration located at 960 E. Broadway Street, high school campus located at 920 E. Broadway Street; junior high campus located at 608 Junior High Drive; elementary campus located at 550 Industrial Blvd; elementary campus located at 611 E. Prairie St; intermediate school located at 502 Park Heights Drive, technology department located at 405 Park Heights Drive; bus barn located at 409 Park Heights Drive; maintenance department located at 407 Park Heights Drive; early childhood family center located at 504 Park Heights Drive; alternative education program located at 505 N. Henry Street.

       

   2. A map of the buildings annotated with evacuation routes, shelter locations, fire alarm pull stations, fire hydrants, fire extinguishers, first aid kits, hazardous materials storage, and utility shut offs will be in the Appendix.

       

4. Hazard Analysis and Security Audit

    

   A complete hazard analysis and security audit will be completed for Cuero ISD when Texas School Safety Center releases the Vulnerability Self-Assessment Tool (VSAT) in early 2020.

    

   FIGURE 1: HAZARD SUMMARY

   	FREQUENCY	MAGNITUDE	WARNING TIME	SEVERITY	RISK PRIORITY
   HAZARD TYPE:
   NATURAL
   EARTHQUAKE	1 Unlikely	1 Negligible	4 Minimal	1 Negligible	Low
   FLASH FLOODING	1 Unlikely	1 Negligible	3 6-12 hours	1 Negligible	Low
   FLOODING (RIVER OR TIDAL)	1 Possible	1 Limited	3 6-12 hours	1 Limited	Low
   HURRICANE	1 Unlikely	1 Negligible	1 24+ hours	1 Negligible	Low
   TORNADO	2 Possible	2 Limited	4 Minimal	2 Limited	Low
   WILDFIRE	2 Possible	2 Limited	4 Minimal	2 Limited	Low

   WINTER STORM	1 Unlikely	1 Negligible	3 6-12 hours	1 Negligible	Low
   HUMANMADE
   CHEMICAL/HAZARDOUS MATERIALS	2 Possible	3 Critical	4 Minimal	3 Critical	Medium
   DAM FAILURE	1 Unlikely	1 Negligible	1 24+ hours	1 Negligible	Low
   FIRE	2 Possible	3 Critical	4 Minimal	3 Critical	Medium
   NUCLEAR FACILITY INCIDENT	1 Unlikely	1 Negligible	3 6-12 hours	2 Limited	Low
   POW ER OUTAGE	2 Possible	2 Limited	4 Minimal	2 Limited	Low
   WATER SYSTEM FAILURE	2 Possible	2 Limited	4 Minimal	2 Limited	Low
   ACCIDENTS (TRANSPORTATION)	2 Possible	3 Critical	4 Minimal	3 Critical	Medium
   MEDICAL EMERGENCY	2 Possible	3 Critical	4 Minimal	3 Critical	Medium
   MASS CONTAMINATION	2 Possible	3 Critical	4 Minimal	3 Critical	Medium
   APPARENT SUICIDE	2 Possible	3 Critical	4 Minimal	3 Critical	Medium
   BOMB THREAT	2 Possible	4 Catastrophic	4 Minimal	3 Critical	Medium
   CIVIL DISORDER	2 Possible	3 Critical	4 Minimal	3 Critical	Medium
   DEATH ON CAMPUS	2 Possible	3 Critical	4 Minimal	3 Critical	Medium

   EXPLOSION	2 Possible	4 Catastrophic	4 Minimal	4 Critical	Medium
   HOSTAGE SITUATION	2 Possible	4 Catastrophic	4 Minimal	3 Critical	Medium
   INTRUDER	2 Possible	3 Critical	4 Minimal	3 Critical	Medium
   KIDNAPPING/ABDUCTION	2 Possible	3 Critical	4 Minimal	3 Critical	Medium
   REPORT OF WEAPON ON CAMPUS	2 Possible	3 Critical	4 Minimal	3 Critical	Medium
   SEXUAL ASSAULT	2 Possible	3 Critical	4 Minimal	3 Critical	Medium
   SUSPICIOUS PACKAGE/DEVICE	2 Possible	3 Critical	4 Minimal	3 Critical	Medium
   TERRORISM	1 Unlikely	2 Limited	4 Minimal	2 Limited	Low
   WEAPONS ASSAULT	1 Unlikely	2 Limited	4 Minimal	2 Limited	Low

    

    

5. Assumptions

    

   1. Cuero ISD will be exposed to and subject to the impact of those hazards described above, as well as, lesser hazards and others that may develop in the future.

       

   2. It is possible for a major disaster to occur at any time, and at any place. In many cases, dissemination of warning to the public and implementation of increased readiness measures may be possible; however, some emergency situations occur with little or no warning.

       

   3. A single site emergency, i.e. fire, gas main breakage, etc, could occur at any time without warning and the employees of the school affected cannot, and should not, wait for direction from your local response agencies. Action is required immediately to save lives and protect school property.

       

   4. Following a major or catastrophic event, the Cuero ISD may have to rely on its own resources to be self-sustaining for a period of time.

   5. There may be a number of injuries of varying degrees of seriousness to faculty, staff, and/or students; however, rapid and appropriate response will reduce the number and severity of injury.

       

   6. Outside assistance will be available in most emergency situations. Since it takes time to summon external assistance, it is essential for Cuero ISD to be prepared to carry out the initial emergency response on an independent basis.

       

   7. Proper mitigation actions, such as creating a positive school environment and fire inspections can prevent or reduce disaster-related losses. Detailed emergency planning, training of staff, students and other personnel, and conducting periodic emergency drills and exercises can improve Cuero ISD’s readiness to deal with emergency situations.

       

   8. A spirit of volunteerism among Cuero ISD employees, students and families will result in their providing assistance and support to emergency response efforts.

    

6. Limitations:

It is the policy of Cuero ISD that no guarantee is implied by this plan of a perfect response system. As personnel and resources may be overwhelmed, Cuero ISD can only endeavor to make every reasonable effort to respond to the situation with the resources and information available at the time

V. CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS

1. Objectives

    

   The objectives of Cuero ISD emergency operations program are to protect the lives and well- being of its students and staff through the prompt and timely response of trained school personnel should an emergency affect the school. To meet these objectives, the Cuero ISD shall establish and maintain a comprehensive emergency operations program that includes plans and procedures, hazard analysis, security audits, training and exercise, and plan review and maintenance.

    

2. General

    

   1. It is the responsibility of Cuero ISD officials to protect students and staff from the effects of hazardous events. This involves having the primary role in identifying and mitigating hazards, preparing for and responding to, and managing the recovery from emergency situations that affect Cuero ISD.

       

   2. It is the responsibility of the District to provide in-service emergency response education for all school and office personnel

       

   3. It is the responsibility of the principals to conduct drills and exercises to prepare school personnel as well as students for an emergency situation

   4. To achieve the necessary objectives, an emergency program has been organized that is both integrated (employs the resources of the district, school, local emergency responders, organized volunteer groups, and businesses) and comprehensive (addresses mitigation/prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery). This plan is one element of the preparedness activities.

       

   5. This plan is based on a multi-hazard approach to emergency planning. It addresses general functions that may need to be performed during any emergency situation and is not a collection of plans for specific types of incidents. For example, the warning annex addresses techniques that can be used to warn staff, students and parents during any emergency situation, whatever the cause.

       

   6. The Incident Command System (ICS) will be used to manage all emergencies that occur within the district. We encourage the use of ICS to perform non-emergency tasks to promote familiarity with the system. All district and site personnel will be trained in ICS.

       

   7. Personnel tasked in this plan are expected to develop and keep current standard operating procedures (SOP) that describe how emergency tasks will be performed. The Cuero ISD is charged with insuring the training and equipment necessary for an appropriate response are in place.

       

   8. This plan is based upon the concept that the emergency functions that must be performed by the Cuero ISD generally parallel some of their normal day-to-day functions. To the extent possible, the same personnel and material resources used for day-to-day activities will be employed during emergency situations. Because personnel and equipment resources are limited, some routine functions that do not contribute directly to the emergency may be suspended for the duration of an emergency. The personnel, equipment, and supplies that would normally be required for those functions will be redirected to accomplish emergency tasks.

       

   9. Local government is responsible for organizing, training, and equipping local emergency responders and emergency management personnel, providing appropriate emergency facilities, providing suitable warning and communications systems, and for contracting for emergency services. The state and federal governments offer programs that provide some assistance with portions of these responsibilities.

       

3. Operational Guidance

    

   1. Initial Response

       

      Cuero ISD personnel are likely to be first on the scene of an emergency situation within the school. They will normally take charge and remain in charge of the incident until it is resolved or others who have legal authority to do so assume responsibility. They will seek guidance and direction from local officials and seek technical assistance from state and federal agencies and industry where appropriate.

       

      1. The superintendent/principal or designee will be responsible for activating the Cuero ISD emergency operations plan and the initial response:

          

         1. Evacuation – Requires all staff and students to leave the building. Evacuation can be highly effective if it can be completed before the arrival of the hazard.

         2. Reverse Evacuation – Requires all staff and student to go to safe places in the building from outside the building.

             

         3. Lock down – All exterior doors and classroom doors are locked and students and staff stay in their classrooms

             

         4. Shelter-in-place – Students and staff are held in the building, windows and doors are sealed and all ventilation systems are shut off. Limited movement is allowed. Shelter-in-place is most effective during emergencies involving hazardous materials which produce toxic vapors outside of the facility. Taking shelter inside a sealed building is highly effective in keeping students and staff safe.

             

         5. Drop, cover and hold – Students and staff drop low, take cover under furniture, cover eyes and protect internal organs

             

   2. Notification Procedures

       

      1. In case of an incident at any district facility, the flow of information shall be from the school principal/designee to the district office. Information should include the nature of the incident and the impact, on the facility, students and staff.

          

      2. In the event the district is in receipt of information, such as a weather warning that may affect a school within the district, the information shall be provided to the school principal/designee. Specific guidelines are found in the individual annexes and appendices.

          

   3. Training and Exercise

       

      1. Cuero ISD understands the importance of training, drills, and exercises in the overall emergency management program. To ensure that district personnel and community first responders are aware of their duties and responsibilities under the Cuero ISD plan and the most current procedures, the following training, drill and exercise actions will occur:

          

         1. Training and refresher training sessions shall be conducted for all Cuero

            ISD personnel. In case of academic staff, training should coincide with the first in-service day of the school year. Training for the remainder of the support staff shall be held at a time during the school year that will allow for maximum attendance

             

         2. Information addressed in these sessions will include updated information on plans and/or procedures and changes in the duties and responsibilities of plan participants. Discussions will also center on any revisions to additional materials such as annexes and appendices. Input from all employees is encouraged.

             

         3. Cuero ISD will plan for drills and exercises during the school year. The types of drills and exercises will be determined by the superintendent and/ or campus principal.

         4. Cuero ISD will participate in any external drills or exercises sponsored by local emergency responders. Availability of Cuero ISD personnel and the nature of the drill or exercise shall govern the degree to which the district will participate as it relates to improving the Cuero ISD’s ability to respond to and deal with emergencies.

             

   4. Implementation of the Incident Command System (ICS)

       

      1. The designated incident commander (IC) for the Cuero ISD will implement the ICS and serve as the IC until relieved by a more senior or more qualified individual. The IC will establish an incident command post (ICP) and provide an assessment of the situation to local officials, identify response resources required, and direct the on- scene response from the ICP.

          

      2. For disaster situations, a specific incident scene may not exist in the initial response phase and the local Emergency Operations Center may accomplish initial response actions, such as mobilizing personnel and equipment and issuing precautionary warning to the public. As the potential threat becomes clearer and a specific impact site or sites identified, an Incident Command Post may be established at the school, and direction and control of the response transitioned to the IC. This scenario would likely occur during a community wide disaster.

          

   5. Source and Use of Resources

       

      1. Cuero ISD will use its own resources to respond to emergency situations until emergency response personnel arrive. If additional resources are required, the following options exist:

          

         1. Request assistance from volunteer groups active in disasters.

             

         2. Request assistance from industry or individuals who have resources needed to assist with the emergency situation.

             

4. Incident Command System

    

   1. Cuero ISD intends to employ ICS in managing emergencies. ICS is both a strategy and a set of organizational arrangements for directing and controlling field operations. It is designed to effectively integrate resources from different agencies into a temporary emergency organization at an incident site that can expand and contract with the magnitude of the incident and resources on hand.

       

   2. The incident commander is responsible for carrying out the ICS function of command— managing the incident. The four other major management activities that form the basis of ICS are operations, planning, logistics, and finance/administration. For small-scale incidents, the IC and one or two individuals may perform all of these functions. For larger incidents, a number of individuals from different local emergency response agencies may be assigned to separate staff sections charged with those functions.

       

   3. In emergency situations where other jurisdictions or the state or federal government are providing significant response resources or technical assistance, it is generally desirable to transition from the normal ICS structure to a Unified Command structure. This

      arrangement helps to ensure that all participating agencies are involved in developing objectives and strategies to deal with the emergency.

       

5. Incident Command System (ICS)—Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Interface

    

   1. For community-wide disasters, the EOC will be activated. When the EOC is activated, it is essential to establish a division of responsibilities between the ICP and the EOC. A general division of responsibilities is outlined below. It is essential that a precise division of responsibilities be determined for specific emergency operations.

       

   2. The IC is generally responsible for field operations, including:

       

      1. Isolating the scene.

          

      2. Directing and controlling the on-scene response to the emergency situation and managing the emergency resources committed there.

          

      3. Warning the Cuero ISD staff and students in the area of the incident and providing emergency instructions to them.

          

      4. Determining and implementing protective measures (evacuation or in-place sheltering) for the Cuero ISD staff and students in the immediate area of the incident and for emergency responders at the scene.

          

      5. Implementing traffic control arrangements in and around the incident scene.

          

      6. Requesting additional resources from the EOC.

          

   3. The EOC is generally responsible for:

       

      1. Providing resource support for the incident command operations.

          

      2. Issuing community-wide warning.

          

      3. Issuing instructions and providing information to the general public.

          

      4. Organizing and implementing large-scale evacuation.

          

      5. Organizing and implementing shelter and mass arrangements for evacuees.

          

   4. In some large-scale emergencies or disasters, emergency operations with different objectives may be conducted at geographically separated scenes. In such situations, more than one incident command operation may be established. If this situation occurs, it is particularly important that the allocation of resources to specific field operations be coordinated through the EOC.

       

6. Activities by Phases of Emergency Management

    

   This plan addresses emergency actions that are conducted during all four phases of emergency management.

    

   1. Mitigation/Prevention

      Cuero ISD will conduct mitigation/prevention activities as an integral part of the emergency management program. Mitigation/prevention is intended to eliminate hazards and vulnerabilities, reduce the probability of hazards and vulnerabilities causing an emergency situation, or lessen the consequences of unavoidable hazards and vulnerabilities. Mitigation/prevention should be a pre-disaster activity, although mitigation/prevention may also occur in the aftermath of an emergency situation with the intent of avoiding repetition of the situation. Among the mitigation/prevention activities included in the emergency operations program are:

       

      1. Hazard Analysis

          

         1. Identifying hazards

             

         2. Recording hazards

             

         3. Analyzing hazards

             

         4. Mitigating/preventing hazards

             

         5. Monitoring hazards

             

      2. Security Audit

          

         1. VSAT

             

   2. Preparedness

       

      Preparedness activities will be conducted to develop the response capabilities needed in the event an emergency. Among the preparedness activities included in the emergency operations program are:

       

      1. Providing emergency equipment and facilities.

          

      2. Emergency planning, including maintaining this plan, its annexes, and appendices

          

      3. Involving emergency responders, emergency management personnel, other local officials, and volunteer groups who assist Cuero ISD during emergencies in training opportunities.

          

      4. Conducting periodic drills and exercises to test emergency plans and training.

          

      5. Completing an After Action Review after drills, exercises and actual emergencies

          

      6. Revise plan as necessary

          

   3. Response

       

      Cuero ISD will respond to emergency situations effectively and efficiently. The focus of most of this plan and its annexes is on planning for the response to emergencies. Response operations are intended to resolve an emergency situation quickly while minimizing casualties and property damage. Response activities include warning, first aid, light fire suppression, law enforcement operations,

      evacuation, shelter and mass care, light search and rescue, as well as other associated functions.

       

   4. Recovery

       

      If a disaster occurs, Cuero ISD will carry out a recovery program that involves both short-term and long-term efforts. Short-term operations seek to restore vital services and provide for the basic needs of the staff and students. Long-term recovery focuses on restoring the school to its normal state. The federal government, pursuant to the Stafford Act, provides the vast majority of disaster recovery assistance. The recovery process includes assistance to students, families and staff. Examples of recovery programs include temporary relocation of classes, restoration of school services, debris removal, restoration of utilities, disaster mental health services, and reconstruction of damaged stadiums and athletic facilities.

       

7. Emergencies Occurring During Summer or Other School Breaks

If a school administrator or other emergency response team member is notified of an emergency during the summer, the response usually will be one of limited school involvement. In that case, the following steps should be taken:

• Institute the phone tree to disseminate information to Emergency Response Team members and request a meeting of all available members.

• Identify staff or students most likely to be affected by the emergency. Keep the list and recheck it when school reconvenes.

• Notify staff or families of students identified in #2 and recommend community resources for support.

• Notify general faculty/staff by letter or telephone with appropriate information.

• Schedule faculty meeting for an update the week before students return to school.

• Be alert for repercussions among students and staff. When school reconvenes, check core group of friends and other at-risk students and staff, and institute appropriate support mechanisms and referral procedures.

VI. ORGANIZATION AND ASSIGNMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Organization

    

   1. General

       

      Most schools have emergency functions in addition to their normal day-to-day duties. During emergency situations, the normal organizational arrangements are modified to facilitate emergency operations. The District organization for emergencies includes an executive group, emergency operations planning team, emergency response teams, emergency services, and support services.

       

      Executive Group

       

      The Executive Group provides guidance and direction for emergency management programs and for emergency response and recovery operations. The Executive Group includes the school board, superintendent, and/or designees.

      Emergency Operations Planning Team

       

      The Emergency Operations Planning Team develops emergency operations plan for the district or schools, coordinates with local emergency services to develop functional annexes as well as annexes for specific hazards, coordinates Cuero ISD’s planning activities and recruits members of the District’s emergency response teams. The Emergency Operations Planning Team at the district level includes the superintendent and/or designees. The Emergency Operations Planning Team at the school level includes the principal, assistant principal, counselor, nurse, selected staff and community resources.

       

      Emergency Response Teams

       

      Emergency Response Teams assists the Incident Commander in managing an emergency and providing care for Cuero ISD employees, students and visitors before local emergency services arrive or in the event of normal local emergency services being unavailable.

       

      Emergency Services

       

      Emergency Services include the IC and those departments, agencies, and groups with primary emergency response actions. The IC is the person in charge at an incident site.

       

      Emergency Support Services

       

      This group includes departments and agencies that support and sustain emergency responders and also coordinate emergency assistance provided by organized volunteer organizations, business and industry, and other sources.

       

      Volunteer and Other Services

       

      This group includes organized volunteer groups and businesses who have agreed to provide certain support for emergency operations.

       

2. Assignment of Responsibilities

    

   1. General

       

      For most emergency functions, successful operations require a coordinated effort from a number of personnel. To facilitate a coordinated effort, district, school staff, and other school personnel are assigned primary responsibility for planning and coordinating specific emergency functions. Generally, primary responsibility for an emergency function will be assigned to an individual from the District who possesses the most appropriate knowledge and skills. Other school personnel may be assigned support responsibilities for specific emergency functions.

       

   2. The individual having primary responsibility for an emergency function is normally responsible for coordinating preparation of and maintaining that portion of the emergency plan that addresses that function. Listed below are general responsibilities assigned to the Executive Group, Emergency Operations Planning Team, Emergency

      Response Teams, Teachers, Emergency Services, Support Services, Additional specific responsibilities can be found in the functional annexes to this Basic Plan.

       

   3. Executive Group Responsibilities

       

      1. The School Board will

          

         1. Establish objectives and priorities for the emergency management program and provide general policy guidance on the conduct of that program.

             

         2. Establish a school emergency operations plan review committee to approve and coordinate all emergency response plans

             

         3. Review school construction and renovation projects for safety

             

      2. The Superintendent or designee will:

          

         1. Appoint a district Emergency Management Coordinator to assist in planning and review

             

         2. Consult with the local Emergency Management Office to analyze system needs in regard to emergency preparedness, planning and education and to ensure coordination of the school plan with community emergency plans

             

         3. Develop and coordinate in-service emergency response education for all Cuero ISD personnel

             

         4. Obtain a resolution from the local school board giving needed authority and support to develop school emergency operations programs and plans

             

         5. Initiate, administer, and evaluate emergency operations programs to ensure the coordinated response of all schools within the system

             

         6. Authorize implementation of emergency preparedness curriculum

             

         7. Gather information from all aspects of the emergency for use in making decisions about the management of the emergency

             

         8. Have overall decision-making authority in the event of an emergency until emergency services arrive

             

         9. Monitor the emergency response during emergency situations and provide direction where appropriate

             

         10. Keep the public informed during emergency situations

              

         11. Stay in contact with the leaders of the emergency service agencies working with the emergency

              

         12. Keep school board informed of emergency status

         13. Request assistance from local emergency services when necessary

              

         14. Meet and talk with the parents of students and spouses of adults who have been admitted to the hospital.

              

         15. Assign resources (persons and materials) to various sites for specific needs.

              

         16. Authorize immediate purchase of outside services and materials needed for the management of emergency situations.

              

      3. The District Emergency Management Coordinator will:

          

         1. Serve as the staff advisor to the superintendent on emergency management matters.

             

         2. Keep the superintendent apprised of the preparedness status and emergency management needs.

             

         3. Coordinate local planning and preparedness activities and the maintenance of this plan.

             

         4. Prepare and maintain a resource inventory.

             

         5. Arrange appropriate training for district emergency management personnel and emergency responders.

             

         6. Coordinate periodic emergency exercises to test emergency plans and training.

             

         7. Perform day-to-day liaison with the state emergency management staff and other local emergency management personnel.

             

         8. Coordinate with organized volunteer groups and businesses regarding emergency operations.

             

      4. The principals or designees will:

          

         1. Act as the school’s Emergency Management Coordinator

             

         2. Implement the policies and decisions of the governing body relating to emergency management.

             

         3. Organize the school’s emergency management program and identify personnel, equipment, and facility needs.

             

         4. Ensure that the plan is coordinated with the district’s plans and policies

             

         5. Assign selected staff members to the Emergency Operations Planning Team who will develop the school’s emergency operations plan

             

         6. Ensure that school personnel and students participate in emergency planning, training, and exercise activities.

         7. Conduct drills and initiate needed plan revisions based on After Action Reports

             

         8. Encourage incorporation of emergency preparedness material into regular curriculum

             

         9. Provide copies of the school plan to the district superintendent.

             

         10. Monitor developing situations such as weather conditions or incidents in the community that may impact the school

              

         11. Establish an Incident Command Post

              

         12. Act as Incident Commander until superintendent or emergency services arrives

              

         13. Assign school emergency responsibilities to staff as required

              

         14. Coordinate use of building as public shelter for major emergencies occurring in the city or county

              

         15. Coordinate emergency assistance and recovery

              

   4. Emergency Operations Planning Team will:

       

      1. In conjunction with the district and local emergency services create and maintain the Emergency Operations Plan

          

      2. In conjunction with the district and local emergency management officials, conduct a hazard analysis

          

      3. Organize Emergency Response Teams

          

      4. Recommend training for the Emergency Response Teams

          

      5. Establish a partner system to pair teachers and classes so that teachers assigned to an Emergency Response Team can fulfill the duties

          

      6. Provide information to staff, students and community on emergency procedures

          

      7. Provide assistance during an emergency in accordance with designated roles

          

      8. Conduct debriefings at the conclusion of each emergency to critique the effectiveness of the emergency operations plan

       

   5. Emergency Response Teams will:

       

      1. Participate in the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program

          

      2. Create annexes for their specific emergency function

          

      3. Assist the superintendent and principal during an emergency by providing support and care for Cuero ISD employees, students and visitors during an

         emergency before local emergency services arrive or in the event of normal local emergency services being unavailable.

          

      4. Provide the following functions when necessary and when performing their assigned function will not put them in harm’s way:

          

         1. Facility evacuation – The Evacuation team will be trained to assist in the evacuation of all school facilities and to coordinate the assembly and the accountability of the employees and students once an evacuation has taken place

             

         2. First aid – The First Aid team will be trained to provide basic first aid to injured students and/or staff

             

         3. Search and rescue – The Search and Rescue team will be trained in search and rescue operations. They will perform light search and rescue to find missing or trapped students and/or staff and note and record the situation for other responders

             

         4. Limited fire suppression – The Limited Fire Suppression team will be trained to provide light fire suppression and provide utility shut-off if necessary

             

         5. Damage assessment – The Damage Assessment team will be trained to conduct a building assessment of school buildings to evaluate whether or the building(s) are safe for occupation

             

         6. Student/Parent Reunification – The Student/Parent Reunification team will establish sites for the orderly dismissal of students to their parents

             

         7. Student supervision – The Student Supervision team will be responsible for supervising the students while emergency response activities are occurring

             

         8. Support and security – The Support and Security team will be responsible for securing the school grounds and make preparations for caring for students until it is safe to release them

       

   6. Teachers will:

       

      1. Prepare classroom emergency kits

          

      2. Participate in training, drills and exercises

          

      3. Direct and supervise students en-route to pre-designated safe areas within the school grounds or to an off-site evacuation shelter

          

      4. Maintain order while in student assembly area

          

      5. Verify the location and status of every student. Report to the incident commander or designee on the condition of any student needing additional assistance

      6. Establish a partner system for students and teachers with disabilities

          

      7. Remain with assigned students throughout the duration on the emergency, unless otherwise assigned through a partner system or until every student has been released through the official student/family reunification process

       

   7. Technology/Information Services Role

       

      1. Coordinate use of technology.

          

      2. Assist in establishment/maintenance of emergency communications network.

          

      3. Assist in obtaining needed student and staff information from the computer files.

          

      4. Prepare and maintain an emergency kit that contains floor plans, telephone line locations, computer locations, and other communications equipment.

          

      5. Establish and maintain computer communication with the central office and with other agencies capable of such communication.

          

      6. Establish and maintain, as needed, a stand-alone computer with student and staff database for use at the emergency site.

          

      7. As needed, report various sites involved in the communication system if there are problems in that system.

       

   8. Transportation Role

       

      1. Establish and maintain school division protocols for transportation-related emergencies.

          

      2. Provide district-wide transportation.

          

      3. Establish and maintain plans for the emergency transport of Cuero ISD personnel and students

          

      4. Coordinate transportation plans with Department of Public Safety and other law enforcement personnel as appropriate.

       

   9. Common Responsibilities for Emergency and Support Services All emergency services and support services will:

      1. Provide personnel, equipment, and supplies to support emergency operations

          

      2. Provide trained personnel to staff the ICP and EOC and conduct emergency operations.

          

      3. Report information regarding emergency situations and damage to facilities and equipment to the IC or the EOC.

   10. Emergency Services Responsibilities

        

       1. The IC will:

           

          1. Manage emergency response resources and operations at the incident site command post to resolve the emergency situation.

              

          2. Determine and implement required protective actions for response personnel and the public at an incident site.

VII. DIRECTION AND CONTROL

1. General

    

   1. The superintendent or designee is responsible for establishing objectives and policies for emergency operations and providing general guidance for emergency response and recovery operations. During disasters, he/she may carry out those responsibilities from the ICP.

       

   2. The superintendent or designee will provide overall direction of the response activities. During major emergencies and disaster, he/she will normally carry out those responsibilities from the ICP.

       

   3. The superintendent or designee will manage the Incident Command Post.

       

   4. The Incident Commander assisted by a staff sufficient for the tasks to be performed will manage the emergency response from the Incident Command Post until local emergency services arrive.

       

   5. During emergency operations, the Cuero ISD administration retains administrative and policy control over their employees and equipment; however, personnel and equipment will carry out mission assignments directed by the Incident Commander. Each department and agency is responsible for having its own operating procedures to

      be followed during response operations, but interagency procedures, such as a common communications protocol, may be adopted to facilitate coordinated effort.

       

   6. If the District’s own resources are insufficient or inappropriate to deal with an emergency situation, assistance from local emergency services, organized volunteer groups, or the State should be requested.

       

2. Emergency Facilities

    

   1. Incident Command Post.

       

      Except when an emergency situation threatens, but has not yet occurred, and those situations for which there is no specific hazard impact site (such as a severe winter storm or area-wide utility outage), an Incident Command Post or command posts will be established in the vicinity of the incident site(s). As noted previously, the Incident Commander will be responsible for directing the emergency response and managing the resources at the incident scene.

3. Continuity of School Administration

    

   1. The line of succession for the superintendent is:

       

      1. Assistant Superintendent

          

      2. High school principal

          

      3. Junior high principal

          

   2. The line of succession for the district emergency management coordinator is:

       

      1. High school principal

          

      2. Junior high principal

          

   3. The line of succession for the principal is:

       

      1. Assistant principal

          

      2. Campus Counselor

          

   4. The lines of succession for each position shall be in accordance with the SOPs established by the Cuero ISD.

VIII. READINESS LEVELS

A. Readiness Levels

Many emergencies follow some recognizable build-up period during which actions can be taken to achieve a gradually increasing state of readiness. A five-tier system is utilized.

Readiness Levels will be determined by the school board, superintendent, or designees. General actions to be taken at each readiness level are outlined in the annexes to this plan; more specific actions will be detailed in departmental or agency SOPs.

G. Readiness Action Level Descriptions

The following readiness action levels will be used as a means of increasing the district’s alert posture. (Based on the Department of Homeland Security. Suggested by Department of Education)

1. Green—Low

    

   1. Assess and update emergency operations plans and procedures

       

   2. Discuss updates to school and local emergency operations plans with emergency responders

       

   3. Review duties and responsibilities of emergency response team members

       

   4. Provide CPR and first aid training for staff

   5. Conduct training and drills

       

   6. Conduct 100% visitor ID check

       

2. Blue—Increased Readiness

    

   1. Review and upgrade security measures

       

   2. Review emergency communication plan

       

   3. Inventory, test, and repair communication equipment

       

   4. Inventory and restock emergency supplies

       

   5. Conduct emergency operations training and drills

       

3. Yellow—Elevated

    

   1. Inspect school buildings and grounds for suspicious activities

       

   2. Assess increased risk with public safety officials

       

   3. Review crisis response plans with school staff

       

   4. Test alternative communications capabilities

       

4. Orange—High

    

   1. Assign staff to monitor entrances at all times

       

   2. Assess facility security measures

       

   3. Update parents on preparedness efforts

       

   4. Update media on preparedness efforts

       

   5. Address student fears concerning possible emergency

       

   6. Place school and district emergency response teams on standby alert status

       

5. Red—Severe

    

   1. Follow local and/or federal government instructions (listen to radio/TV)

       

   2. Activate emergency operations plan

       

   3. Restrict school access to essential personnel

       

   4. Cancel outside activities and field trips

       

   5. Provide mental health services to anxious students and staff

IX. ADMINISTRATION AND SUPPORT

1. Agreements and Contracts

    

   1. Should Cuero ISD resources prove to be inadequate during an emergency;

      requests will be made for assistance from local emergency services, other agencies, and industry in accordance with existing mutual-aid agreements and contracts and those agreements and contracts concluded during the emergency. Such assistance may include equipment, supplies, or personnel. All agreements will be entered into by authorized officials and should be in writing whenever possible. Agreements and contracts should identify the school district officials authorized to request assistance pursuant to those documents.

       

   2. The agreements and contracts pertinent to emergency management that Cuero ISD is party to are summarized in Appendix.

       

2. Reports

    

   1. Initial Emergency Report

       

      This short report should be prepared and transmitted by the Incident Command Post when an on-going emergency incident appears likely to worsen and assistance from local emergency services may be needed.

       

   2. Situation Report

       

      A daily situation report should be prepared and distributed by the Incident Command Post during major emergencies or disasters.

       

   3. Other Reports

       

      Several other reports covering specific functions are described in the annexes to this plan.

       

3. Records

    

   1. Record Keeping for Emergency Operations

       

      Cuero ISD is responsible for establishing the administrative controls necessary to manage the expenditure of funds and to provide reasonable accountability and justification for expenditures made to support emergency operations. This shall be done in accordance with the established local fiscal policies and standard cost accounting procedures.

       

      1. Activity Logs

          

         The ICP and the district office shall maintain accurate logs recording key response activities, including:

         1. Activation or deactivation of emergency facilities.

             

         2. Emergency notifications to local emergency services

             

         3. Significant changes in the emergency situation.

             

         4. Major commitments of resources or requests for additional resources from external sources.

             

         5. Issuance of protective action recommendations to the staff and students.

             

         6. Evacuations.

             

         7. Casualties.

             

         8. Containment or termination of the incident.

          

      2. Incident Costs

          

         Cuero ISD shall maintain records summarizing the use of personnel, equipment, and supplies during the response to day-to-day incidents to obtain an estimate of annual emergency response costs that can be used in preparing future Cuero ISD budgets.

          

      3. Emergency or Disaster Costs

          

         For major emergencies or disasters, Cuero ISD shall maintain detailed records of costs for emergency operations to include:

          

         1. Personnel costs, especially overtime costs

             

         2. Equipment operations costs

             

         3. Costs for leased or rented equipment

             

         4. Costs for contract services to support emergency operations

             

         5. Costs of specialized supplies expended for emergency operations

             

            These records may be used to recover costs from the responsible party or insurers or as a basis for requesting financial assistance for certain allowable response and recovery costs from the state and/or federal government.

             

   2. Preservation of Records

       

      1. In order to continue normal operations following an emergency situation, vital records must be protected. These include legal documents, student files as well as property and tax records. The principal causes of damage to records are fire and water; therefore, essential records should be protected accordingly. Personnel responsible for preparation of annexes to this plan will include protection of vital records in its SOPs.

          

      2. If records are damaged during an emergency situation, Cuero ISD will seek professional assistance to preserve and restore them.

4. Consumer Protection

    

   Consumer complaints regarding alleged unfair or illegal business practices often occur in the aftermath of a disaster. Such complaints will be referred to the District’s Attorney, who will pass such complaints to the Consumer Protection Division of the Office of the Attorney General.

    

5. Post-Incident and Exercise Review

The superintendent, district emergency management coordinator, emergency operations planning team and emergency response teams are responsible for organizing and conducting a critique following the conclusion of a significant emergency event/incident or exercise. The critique will entail both written and verbal input from all appropriate participants. Where deficiencies are identified, Cuero ISD personnel will be assigned responsibility for correcting the deficiency and a due date shall be established for that action.

X. PLAN DEVELOPMENT AND MAINTENANCE

1. Plan Development

    

   The emergency operations planning team is responsible for the overall development and completion of the Emergency Operations Plan, including annexes. The superintendent and school board are responsible for approving and promulgating this plan.

    

2. Distribution of Planning Documents

    

   1. The superintendent and school board shall determine the distribution of this plan and its annexes. In general, copies of plans and annexes should be distributed to those tasked in this document. Copies should also be set aside for the EOC and other emergency facilities.

       

   2. The plan should include a distribution list that indicates who receives copies of the plan and the various annexes to it. In general, individuals who receive annexes to the basic plan should also receive a copy of this plan, because the plan describes the emergency management organization and basic operational concepts.

       

3. Review

    

   The Emergency Operations Plan and its annexes shall be reviewed annually by Cuero ISD officials. The emergency operations planning team or designee will establish a schedule for annual review of planning documents by those tasked in them.

    

4. Update

    

   1. This plan will be updated based upon deficiencies identified during actual emergency situations and exercises and when changes in threat hazards, resources and capabilities, or Cuero ISD structure occur.

   2. The Emergency Operations Plan and its annexes must be revised or updated by a formal change at least every three years. Responsibility for revising or updating the plan is assigned to the emergency operations planning team or designee.

       

   3. The superintendent or designee is responsible for distributing all revised or updated planning documents to all departments, agencies, and individuals tasked in those documents.

XI. REFERENCES

Texas State University – Texas School Safety Center. School Safety Plans and Resources, Toolkits, Assessments:

https://txssc.txstate.edu/

Appendix 2

APPENDIX 1

SUMMARY OF AGREEMENTS AND CONTRACTS

AGREEMENTS – On File

DESCRIPTION:

SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

OFFICIALS AUTHORIZED TO IMPLEMENT: COSTS:

COPIES HELD BY:

CONTRACTS

DESCRIPTION:

SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

OFFICIALS AUTHORIZED TO IMPLEMENT: COSTS:

COPIES HELD BY:

Appendix 2

APPENDIX 2

INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM SUMMARY

1. Background

    

   ICS is a management system that can be used to manage emergency incidents or non- emergency events such as celebrations. The system works equally well for small incidents and large-scale emergency situations. The system has built-in flexibility to grow or shrink based on current needs. It is a uniform system, so personnel from a variety of agencies and geographic locations can be rapidly incorporated into a common management structure.

    

2. Features of ICS

    

   ICS has a number of features that work together to make it a real management system. Among the primary attributes of ICS are:

    

   1. Standard Management Functions.

       

      1. Command: Sets objectives and priorities and has overall responsibility at the incident or event.

          

      2. Operations: Conducts tactical operations, develops the tactical objectives, and organizes and directs all resources.

          

      3. Planning: Develops the action plan to accomplish the objectives, collects and evaluates information, and maintains the resource status.

          

      4. Logistics: Provides support to meet incident needs, provides resources and all other services needed to support

          

      5. Finance/Administration: Monitors costs, provides accounting, procurement, time recording, and cost analysis.

          

   2. The individual designated as the IC has responsibility for all functions. In a limited incident, the IC and one or two individuals may perform all functions. In a larger emergency situation, each function may be assigned to a separate individual.

       

   3. Management By Objectives. At each incident, the management staff is expected to understand agency or jurisdiction policy and guidance, establish incident objectives, select an appropriate strategy to deal with the incident, and provide operational guidance—select tactics appropriate to the strategy and direct available resources.

       

   4. Unity and Chain of Command. Unity of command means that even though an incident command operation is a temporary organization, every individual should be assigned a designated supervisor. Chain of command means that there is an orderly line of authority within the organization.

       

   5. Organizational Flexibility. Within the basic ICS structure, the organization should at any given time include only what is required to meet planned objectives. The size of the organization is determined through the incident action planning process. Each element of the organization should have someone in charge; in some cases, a single individual

      Appendix 2

       

      may be in charge of more than one unit. Resources are activated as needed and resources that are no longer needed are demobilized.

       

   6. Common Terminology. In ICS, common terminology is used for organizational elements, position titles, resources, and facilities. This facilitates communication among personnel from different emergency services, agencies, and jurisdictions.

       

   7. Limited Span of Control. Span of control is the number of individuals one supervisor can realistically manage. Maintaining an effective span of control is particularly important where safety is paramount. If a supervisor is supervising fewer than 3 subordinates or more than 7, the existing organization structure should be reviewed.

       

   8. Personnel Accountability. Continuous personnel accountability is achieved by using a resource unit to track personnel and equipment, keeping an activity log, ensuring each person has a single supervisor, check in/out procedures, and preparing assignment lists.

       

   9. Incident Action Plan. The incident action plan, which may be verbal or written, is intended to provide supervisory personnel a common understanding of the situation and direction for future action. The plan includes a statement of objectives, organizational description, assignments, and support material such as maps. An Incident Briefing Form may be used on smaller incidents. Written plans are desirable when two or more jurisdictions are involved, when state and/or federal agencies are assisting local response personnel, or there has been significant turnover in the incident staff.

       

   10. Integrated Communications. Integrated communications includes interfacing disparate communications as effectively as possible, planning for the use of all available systems and frequencies, and requiring the use of clear text in communications.

        

   11. Resource Management. Resources may be managed as single resources or organized in task forces or strike teams. The status of resources is tracked in three categories: assigned, available, and out of service.

        

3. Unified Command

    

   1. Unified Command is a variant of ICS used when there is more than one agency or jurisdiction with responsibility for the incident or when personnel and equipment from a number of different agencies or jurisdictions are responding to it. This might occur when the incident site crosses jurisdictional boundaries or when an emergency situation involves matters for which state and/or federal agencies have regulatory responsibility or legal requirements to respond to certain types of incidents.

       

   2. ICS Unified Command is intended to integrate the efforts of multiple agencies and jurisdictions. The major change from a normal ICS structure is at the top. In a Unified command, senior representatives of each agency or jurisdiction responding to the incident collectively agree on objectives, priorities, and an overall strategy or strategies to accomplish objectives; approve a coordinated Incident Action Plan; and designate an Operations Section Chief. The Operations Section Chief is responsible for managing available resources to achieve objectives. Agency and jurisdictional resources remain under the administrative control of their agencies or jurisdictions, but respond to mission assignments and direction provided by the Operations Section Chief based on the requirements of the Incident Action Plan.

Appendix 2

Incident Command Structure

Appendix 3

APPENDIX 3 DISTRICT MAP – On File

Appendix 4

APPENDIX 4 SCHOOL MAPS – On File

AT MINIMUM INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION ON THE MAP: (PRIMARY AND ALTERNATE EVACUATION ROUTE MAPS SHALL BE PLACED IN EACH ROOM)

‰ Primary evacuation routes

‰ Alternate evacuation routes

‰ Handicap evacuation areas

‰ Utility access/shut-off for

ƒ Gas

ƒ WATER

ƒ Electricity

ƒ HVAC System

ƒ Telephone system

‰ Site assignments and Staging Areas identified on page 2

‰ Haz Mat storage areas

‰ Heat plants/boilers

‰ Room numbers

‰ Door/window locations

‰ Any other information deemed appropriate by your planning committee

NOTE:

IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT YOU DEVELOP A DIAGRAM OF THE ENTIRE SCHOOL SITE AND SURROUNDING AREAS. IN AN EMERGENCY A DIAGRAM MAY BE EASIER TO READ THAN BLUE PRINTS. CONSULT WITH LOCAL EMERGENCY RESPONDER AGENCIES ON WHAT TYPE OF MAPS OR DIAGRAMS THEY PREFER. BLUE PRINTS OF THE SITE SHOULD BE AVAILABLE IN ADDITION TO THE MAP OR DIAGRAM. BLUE PRINTS MAY BE NECESSARY IN CERTAIN FIRE OR TACTICAL SITUATIONS.

Appendix 5

APPENDIX 5

CLASSROOM TEACHER BUDDY LIST – On File

Appendix 6

APPENDIX 6 PHONE TREE – On File

Appendix 7

APPENDIX 7

EMERGENCY OPERATIONS PLANNING TEAM – On File

Appendix 10

APPENDIX 8 EMERGENCY CONTACT NUMBERS

Appendix 10

APPENDIX 9

RESOURCE INVENTORY – NOT AVAILABLE

INVENTORY OF EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT INCLUDE:

‰ Communications equipment

‰ First aid supplies

‰ Fire fighting equipment

‰ Lighting

‰ Classroom emergency kits

‰ Food

‰ Water

‰ Blankets

‰ Maintenance supplies

‰ Tools

IDENTIFY ANY AND ALL AVAILABLE RESOURCES THAT MAY BE USED OR MAY BE NEEDED IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY

Appendix 10

APPENDIX 10 PARENT LETTER

Dear Parents:

Should an emergency or disaster situation ever arise in our area while school is in session, we want you to be aware that the schools have made preparations to respond effectively to such situations.

Should we have a major disaster during school hours, your student(s) will be cared for at school. Our District has a detailed emergency operations plan which has been formulated to respond to critical situations.

Your cooperation is necessary in any emergency.

1. Do not telephone the school. Telephone lines may be needed for emergency communication.

2. In the event of a serious emergency, students will be kept at their schools until they are picked up by a responsible adult who has been identified on the Cuero ISD emergency card which is required to be filled out by parents at the beginning of every school year. Please be sure you consider the following criteria when you authorize another person to pick up your child at school:

   ƒ He/she is 18 years of age or older.

   ƒ He/she is usually home during the day.

   ƒ He/she could walk to school, if necessary.

   ƒ He/she is known to your child.

   ƒ He/she is both aware and able to assume this responsibility.

3. Listen to local stations for emergency announcements. If students are to be kept at school, local media stations will be notified.

4. Impress upon your children the need for them to follow the directions of any school personnel in times of an emergency.

Students will be released only to parents and persons identified on the District Emergency Form. During an extreme emergency, students will be released at designated reunion area located on school campuses. Parents should become familiar with the School Emergency Disaster Plan and be patient and understanding with the student release process. Please instruct your student to remain at school until you or a designee arrives

Appendix 10

PARENT LETTER

The decision to keep students at school will be based upon whether or not streets in the area are open. In the event that a natural disaster takes place during the time that students are being transported, students will be kept on the bus and the driver will ask for assistance through radio contact with the school and district personnel. Any child who is home waiting for the bus will not be picked up (if roads are impassable) and remains the responsibility of the parent or guardian. In the event a natural disaster occurs in the afternoon, the driver will make every attempt to continue delivering the students to their homes. Should road conditions prevent the driver from delivering students to their home, the students will be delivered to the school and that school

will communicate with the home to inform them of the students’ whereabouts.

In case of a hazardous release event (chemical spill) near the school area, Shelter-in-Place procedures will be implemented to provide in place protection. All students and staff will clear the grounds, report to their rooms and all efforts will be made to prevent outside air from entering classrooms during the emergency. “Shelter-in-Place” signs will be placed in classroom windows or hung outside classroom doors during a drill or emergency. Students arriving at school during a Shelter-in-Place drill or event should report to the school office or to a previously designated area at the school because classrooms will be inaccessible. When the dangerous incident has subsided, an all-clear signal will be given.

Please discuss these matters with your immediate family. Planning ahead will help alleviate concern during emergencies.

Sincerely,

Appendix 11

APPENDIX 11

STAFF SKILLS SURVEY & INVENTORY

Name & Campus                                                                                /                                                                           Name Campus

During any emergency situation, it is important to be able to draw from all available resources. The special skills, training and capabilities of the staff will play a vital role in coping with the effects of any emergency incident. These will be of paramount importance during and after a major or catastrophic disaster. The purpose of this survey/inventory is to pinpoint those staff members with equipment and the special skills that might be needed. Please indicate the areas that apply to you and return this survey to your administrator.

PLEASE CHECK ANY OF THE FOLLOWING IN WHICH YOU HAVE EXPERTISE & TRAINING. CIRCLE YES OR NO, WHERE APPROPRIATE.

         First Aid           CPR           Triage            Firefighting

          Construction (electrical, plumbing, carpentry, etc.)           Running/Jogging

         Emergency Planning            Emergency Management            Search & Rescue

         Law Enforcement Bi/Multi-lingual (what language (s))                                                                    

         Mechanical Ability           Structural Engineering            Bus/Truck Driver

          Shelter Management            Survival Training & Techniques            Food Preparation

         Ham Radio Operator            CB Radio           Journalism

         Camping           Waste Disposal           Recreational Leader

DO YOU KEEP A PERSONAL EMERGENCY KIT?                           in your car?               in your room?                

DO YOU HAVE MATERIALS IN YOUR ROOM THAT WOULD BE OF USE DURING AN EMERGENCY?

(i.e., athletic bibs, traffic cones, carpet squares)         Yes     No; Materials                                                                

DO YOU HAVE EQUIPMENT OR ACCESS TO EQUIPMENT OR MATERIALS AT YOUR SCHOOL SITE THAT COULD BE USED AN IN EMERGENCY?                  YES                NO

PLEASE LIST EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALS.

COMMENTS                                                                                                                                                                      

WHAT WOULD MAKE YOU FEEL MORE PREPARED SHOULD A DISASTER STRIKE WHILE YOU WERE AT SCHOOL?

Appendix 12

APPENDIX 12 MASTER SCHEDULE – On File

Appendix 13

APPENDIX 13 EMERGENCY RESPONSE DRILL LOG

School: District: Cuero ISD

Appendix 14

APPENDIX 14 DISTRIBUTION LIST – On File

Appendix 15

APPENDIX 15 SECURITY AUDIT – On File