File: EBC - EMERGENCY PLANS

Advance planning for emergencies and disasters is essential to provide for the safety of students and staff;; it also strengthens the morale of all concerned to know that plans exist and that students and staff have been trained in carrying out the plans.

The Superintendent will develop and maintain plans that meet the requirements of state law for preparedness in case of fire, civil emergencies, and natural disasters.

The Superintendent shall develop, in consultation with school nurses, school physicians, athletic coaches, trainers, and local police, fire and emergency personnel, an Emergency Medical Response Plan for each school in the district.

Each Plan shall include:

1.  A method establishing a rapid communications system linking all parts of the school campus, including outdoor facilities, to local Emergency Medical Services along with protocols to clarify when EMS and other emergency contacts will be called.

2.  A determination of EMS response times to any location on the campus.

3.  A list of relevant contacts with telephone numbers and a protocol indicating when each person shall be called, including names of experts to help with post-event support.

4.  A method to efficiently direct EMS personnel to any location on campus, including the location of available rescue equipment.

5.  Safety precautions to prevent injuries in classrooms and on the school campus.

6.  A method of providing access to training in CPR and first aid for teachers, athletic coaches, trainers, and other school staff which may include CPR training for High School students;; Provided that School Committees may opt out of instruction in CPR pursuant to Section 1 of Chapter 71.

7.  In the event the school possesses Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs), the location of all available AEDs, whether the location is fixed or portable, and a list of personnel trained in its use.

The Superintendent shall annually review the response sequence with local police and fire officials. Plans shall be submitted to local police and fire officials and the DESE at least every 3 years by September 1 or when changes occur. Plans must be updated in the case of new construction or other physical changes to the school campus.

Building Principals will meet all requirements for conducting fire drills and Emergency Response drills (at least once per year) to give students practice in moving with orderly dispatch to designated areas under emergency conditions, and the staff practice in carrying out their assigned responsibilities for building evacuation.

LEGAL REF:  M.G.L. 69:8A

Section 363 of Chapter 159 of the Acts of 2000

CROSS REF.:  EBCD, Emergency Closings

JL, Student Welfare

JLC, Student Health Services and Requirements