Today, we continue our focus on school safety. In an emergency, knowing what a response means can help students, staff, and families understand what is happening and what to expect.
The Standard Response Protocol uses five simple, consistent responses:
π ππππ
Students and staff remain in their classrooms or current locations and continue normal activities.
“In Your Classroom or Area”
Students are trained to:
β Clear the hallways and remain in their area or room until the “All Clear” is announced
β Do business as usual
Adults and staff are trained to:
β Close and lock the door
β Account for students and adults
β Do business as usual
π ππππππ
Students and staff remain inside the building while the exterior of the building is secured.
“Get Inside. Lock outside doors”
Students are trained to:
β Return to the inside of the building
β Do business as usual
Adults and staff are trained to:
β Bring everyone indoors
β Lock the outside doors
β Increase situational awareness
β Account for students and adults
β Do business as usual
π ππππππππ
Students and staff take immediate action to secure themselves and their location from a threat inside the building.
“Locks, Lights, Out of Sight”
Students are trained to:
β Move away from sight
β Maintain silence
β Do not open the door
Adults and staff are trained to:
β Recover students from the hallway if possible
β Lock the classroom door
β Turn out the lights
β Move away from sight
β Maintain silence
β Do not open the door
β Prepare to evade or defend
π ππππππππ
Students and staff move from one location to another, typically to a designated safe location.
“To a Location”
Students are trained to:
β Leave stuff behind if required to
β If possible, bring their phone
β Follow instructions
Adults and staff are trained to:
β Bring roll sheet and Go Bag (unless instructed not to bring anything with them, dependent on reason for evacuation.)
β Lead students to Evacuation location
β Account for students and adults
β Report injuries or problems using the Red Card/Green Card method.
π πππππππ
Students and staff take specific protective actions based on the identified hazard or threat.
“State Hazard and Safety Strategy”
Hazards might include:
β Tornado
β Hazmat
β Earthquake
β Tsunami
Safety Strategies might include:
β Evacuate to shelter area
β Seal the room
β Drop, cover, and hold
β Get to high ground
Students are trained in:
β Appropriate Hazards and Safety Strategies
Adults and staff are trained in:
β Appropriate Hazards and Safety Strategies
β Accounting for students and adults
β Reporting injuries or problems using the Red Card/Green Card method.
The goal is simple: one shared language, clear expectations, and a consistent response.
