The Hudson School Board approved a policy change for crisis prevention and emergency response plans during its Feb. 19 meeting.
“The board recognizes that schools are subject to a number of potentially dangerous events, such as natural disasters, industrial accidents, acts of terrorism, and other violent events,” the policy reads. “No school is immune from these events no matter the size or location. The Board is committed to the prevention of these events, to the extent possible, in schools and at school-sponsored activities.”
As part of the plan each school will create a “site-specific school emergency operations plan (“EOP”) based on and conforming with the Incident Command System and the National Incident Management System and pursuant to RSA 189:64.”
“Each Emergency Operations Plan will address hazards as including, but not limited to acts of violence, threats, natural disasters, fire, hazardous materials, medical emergencies, and other hazards deemed necessary by the Superintendent or local emergency authorities,” the revised policy reads. “Their EOP will be updated (or report of no changes) to the Superintendent for review before submitting the Emergency Operations Plan to the Department of Homeland Security by the date determined by the agency.”
The policy also addresses the district wide crisis prevention and response plan.
“The Superintendent, in consultation with appropriate personnel, and in coordination with local emergency authorities, shall develop a District-wide Crisis Prevention and Response Plan (the “District Crisis Plan”),” the policy reads. “The District Crisis Plan shall serve as a compilation of each site-specific Emergency Operations Plan for each District school and shall include the current Sports Injury Emergency Action Plan as required under Board policy JLCJA and RSA 200:40-c.”
As part of the policy the “District Crisis Plan shall be updated and provided to the Board for review (i.e., after the site-specific EOP’s are submitted to the state).”
Coordination is also addressed as part of the policy.
“The Superintendent will establish a relationship with local and state emergency services (e.g., police, fire, ambulance, etc.),” the updated policy reads. “Unless otherwise provided in a site-specific EOP, the District-wide Crisis Prevention and Response Plan or the District Communication Plan, the Superintendent, or his/her designee, will serve as the coordinator/liaison with these authorities. Additionally, the Superintendent should designate personnel to explore the availability of any training or support provided by the NH Departments of Education and/or Safety associated with risk assessment, crisis management, and other matters related to this policy.”
The next School Board meeting is slated to take place on March 11.
