WESTSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Emergency

Operation

Plan

September 1, 2015

RECORD OF CHANGES, ADDITIONS, AND / OR DELETIONS:

ChangeSubject Addition / Deletion?

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Superintendent’s Message

Greetings! This edition of the Polk School District System Emergency Operations Plan will help our school administrators in compiling their school’s emergency operations plans in accordance with the latest school safety law in Georgia, O.C.G.A 20-2-1185l, otherwise commonly referred to as Senate Bill 74, and effective July 1, 1999.

School safety and security is something that all of us can work at to improve the safety of our children, our peers, and our community. As a result of recent events and incidents concerning school safety and security throughout our nation, common sense dictates that we institute proactive measures to stop or reduce any and all dangerous or unsafe measures affecting our schools today. Proactive steps need to be taken before an incident happens, rather than reactive steps after the fact.

We have worked with various school security and public safety officials, both locally and statewide to ensure that our schoolchildren can come to school in a safe, nurturing environment, where we can provide them with the educational tools and learning processes to give them their best opportunity of success.

I know that all of us are doing everything in our power to ensure the safety and security of children, our staff, and indeed, everyone in our community. This edition of the Polk School District Emergency Operations Plan is the latest endeavor in that regard, and it has been compiled to ensure that each and every one of our schools are as safe as they can be.

If you have any questions or need any assistance in compiling your own individual plan for your school, please call Greg Teems, Director of School Safety, Polk School District, at telephone number 770-748-3821; or Randy Lacey, GEMA Area Coordinator, School Safety Project Team, Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) at 1-800-TRY-GEMA.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

[NOTE: SECTIONS I THROUGH V ARE SCHOOL SPECIFIC]

Section I – Introduction

  1. Mission Statement
  2. Authority
  3. Purpose

Section II – School Demographics

  1. Name and Location
  2. Administrators’ Names and Positions
  3. Size and Type
  4. Number of Students/Staff
  5. Number of Classrooms
  6. List of Hazardous Materials
  7. Maps
  1. Campus/Surrounding Areas

(buildings/parking lots/fields/streets/entrance-exit areas)

  1. Fire Exit Routes and Evacuation Assembly Areas
  2. Tornado Safety Area Locations
  3. Administrative Equipment Locations

(doors/phones/alarm panel/stairwells/elevators)

  1. Communication Equipment Locations

(PA control/video monitoring site/video cameras)

  1. Emergency Equipment Locations

(fire extinguishers/pull stations/water source/electrical panel)

  1. Medical Equipment Locations

(first aid kits/emergency evacuation kits)

  1. Hazardous Material Locations

(science lab/pool chemicals/etc.)

Section III – Safety Committee Composition

  1. Safety Committee Members
  2. Meeting Dates
  3. Employees Trained in CPR/First Aid
Section IV – Emergency Management Team and Crisis Management
  1. Emergency Management Team Members
  2. Chain of Command
  3. Identification of Injured and Deceased
  4. Identification Badges
  5. Dissemination of Information
  6. Dates Drills Conducted
  7. Dates Plan Evaluated

Section V – Relocation Sites/Staging Areas

  1. Emergency Relocation Sites (Primary/Secondary)
  2. Incident Command Center
  3. Family Reunification Staging Area
  4. Media Staging Area
  5. Public Safety Staging Area
  6. Bus Evacuation Staging Area
  7. Miscellaneous Staging Areas

Section VI – System Response Protocols

  1. Emergency Codes and Procedures
  2. Evacuation Protocol
  3. Notification of Parents Protocol
  4. Family Reunification Protocol
  5. Emergency School Shelter Protocol
  6. Media Protocol
  7. Communication Equipment Protocol

Section VII – Roles and Responsibilities

  1. System-wide
  2. Individual Schools
  3. Individual Departments
  4. Individual School Positions
  5. Emergency Management Team Positions

Section VIII – Day-to-Day Operational Issues

  1. School Safety Zone
  2. School Visitors
  3. Student Sign In and Out
  4. Student Illness
  5. Medication
  6. After School Programs
  7. School Closings
  8. Emergency Call Button

Section VIII – Natural Disasters

  1. Earthquakes
  2. Floods
  3. Hurricanes
  4. Thunderstorms
  5. Tornadoes
  6. Winter Storms

Section IX – Hazardous Materials

  1. Biological
  2. Chemical
  3. Radiological/Nuclear

Section X – Acts of Violence/Acts of Terrorism

  1. Bomb Threats, Explosions and Suspicious Packages
  2. Civil Disturbance
  3. Hostage Barricade
  4. Intruder, Suspicious Person
  5. Missing Student, Kidnapping or Child-napping
  6. Report of a Weapon on Campus
  7. Weapons, Violent Incidents
  8. Sexual Assault

Section XI – Accidents

  1. Injury, Illness, Suicide and Death
  2. Fire
  3. Utility Failures, Gas Leaks

Section XII – Transportation and Field Trips

  1. Bus Safety and Bus Accidents
  2. Field Trip Safety and Field Trip Accidents

Section XIII – School Functions During Non-Instructional Hours

Section XIV – Community Input in Developing the Safety Plan

Section XV – Awareness/Education Program

  1. General
  2. Early Childhood
  3. Elementary, Middle and High Schools
  4. Severe Weather Awareness Week
  5. Resources

Section XVI – Appendices

  1. Checklists
  1. Floor Plan
  2. Site Plan
  3. Bomb Threat
  4. Emergency Evacuation Kit (To Go Kit)
  1. Forms
  1. Bus Occupants Sheet
  2. Emergency Student Release Sheet
  1. Lists

1.Emergency Phone Numbers

2.Shelter Information

  1. Miscellaneous
  1. Sample Media Press Releases
  2. Copy of Senate Bill 74

SECTION I

INTRODUCTION

A.MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of Polk School District is to provide a safe learning environment for the students of Polk County. Schools will prepare a Safety Plan to be prepared for any incidents of natural disaster, terrorism, accidents, or violence that may occur.

B.AUTHORITY

State Board Policy EBB, Emergency Preparedness Plan and Senate Bill 74 requires that personnel and students in every public school in Georgia be aware of the hazards which threaten their lives and safety, and be prepared to take appropriate action in the event of any imminent or actual disaster. School personnel must also be aware of their roles in working with local emergency responders, parents, students, teachers, community leaders and other local agencies when planning for or responding to local emergency crisis or disasters.

The policy requires that every local school system and every school in the system develop, periodically update, and implement a written emergency preparedness plan. The Polk School District Board of Education has developed this comprehensive program to be used as a guideline in the event of emergencies. This system-wide protocol will be used by every school to outline their emergency procedures.

A copy of this written plan will be kept in the Superintendent’s office, Director of Safety and Security’s Office, and at each school’s Principal’s office. A copy will also be kept in applicable departments and outside agencies where necessary.

A condensed version of this plan will be provided to all administrators, other system employees as needed, and to outside groups that utilize the campus for other purposes.

C.PURPOSE

The safety of students and staff is a primary responsibility of the school staff and system-wide personnel. These emergency/crisis procedures are implemented to save lives and prevent injuries in case of an imminent or actual disaster, or on-site emergencies, and during non-instructional and field trip events.

Administrative and professional school personnel have the specific task of preparing and implementing an emergency preparedness/crisis plan for each school site. A well thought out and rehearsed disaster plan is an excellent beginning in raising the consciousness of students, school personnel, and system personnel to the reality of life-threatening hazards, while training them in lifesaving techniques.

SECTION II

SCHOOL DEMOGRAPHICS

A.NAME AND LOCATION

Name of School: Westside Elementary

Address: 51 Frank Lott Drive

City, State, Zip: Cedartown GA 30125

Telephone Number: 770-748-0831

Fax Number: 770-748-5859

Email Address:

After Hours Contacts: Laura Little 770-546-1871

Directions to the School: (from Police Dept.)

Start out going east on East Ave. toward Highland Avenue. Turn Left onto Frank Lott Drive. End at Westside Elementary, 51 Frank Lott Drive.

B.ADMINISTRATORS’ NAME AND POSITIONS

Superintendent: Dr. William A. Hunter

Curriculum Director: Laurie Atkins

Principal: Mrs. Laura Little

Assistant Principal: Ms. LeAnne Shelton

C.SIZE AND TYPE

Size:67,089 Square Feet

# of Floors:__1____

# of Exits:__45

Type: Brick

D.NUMBER OF STUDENTS/STAFF

Students:_P-K__ Grade 22

_K___ Grade:_107_

_1st__ Grade:_82_

_2nd__Grade: `_105__

_3rd__Grade: `_94__

_4th__Grade: ` 86

_5th__Grade: ` 99_

SPED (Self Contained) 27

Total # of Students:_622_

Staff:Administrators:__2___

Clerical:__4

Teachers:_47__

Parapros: _10_

Lunchroom:__9

Custodian:__1__

Nurse:__1__

Total # of Staff: 74_

Total Number of Individuals656

E.NUMBER OF ROOMS

Interior Classrooms_36__

Misc. Rooms (offices, gym, lunchroom)`_16_

Total # of Rooms 52

F.SHELTER INFORMATION

Is this school a designated shelter? Yes

Is this school an approved American Red Cross shelter?Yes

Does this school have special needs capability?Yes

Does this school shelter pets if needed or requested?No

What is the shelter capacity at this school?_50-100____

G.LIST OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS

Name of ChemicalQuantityLocation

Clorox9 Gallons Utility Closet

General Purpose Cleaner Con.3 Gallons Utility Closet

Mineral Sprits2 Gallons Utility Closet

Paint13 Gallon Portable

H.MAPS

  1. Campus/Surrounding Areas
  2. Fire Exit Routes and Evacuation Assembly Areas

I.DESIGNATED LOCATIONS

1.Communication Equipment Locations: Office & Media Ctr.

2.Emergency Equipment Locations: Office

3.Medical Equipment Locations: Nurse’s station

4.Hazardous Materials Locations: Utility Closet and boiler room

SECTION III

SAFETY COMMITTEE COMPOSITION

In the continued pursuit to ensure the highest safety possible for students and staff, a Safety Committee has been established for each respective school. Committee members work together to review and evaluate the safety concerns affecting the school environment. Members hold their positions on an annual school-year basis and have a minimum of four (4) meetings per school year.

A.SAFETY COMMITTEE MEMBERS

NameTitle

Laura LittlePrincipal

LeAnne Shelton Assistant Principal

Naomi StephensCounselor

Kristine Jackson Kindergarten Teacher

Leah Duncan1st Grade Teacher

Angie Ward2nd Grade Teacher

Jennifer Wetherington3nd Grade Teacher

Martin West 4th Grade Teacher

Shae Wagoner 5th Grade Teacher

Tara BlankenshipSpecial Areas

John TriplettSpecial Areas

Kristie IvieSpecial Areas

Amanda GravettMedia Specialist

Randy CookPhysical Ed. Teacher

Kristina WhitfieldELL

Kathy McKelveyNurse

B.MEETING DATES

First Meeting September

Second Meeting January

Third Meeting March

Fourth Meeting May

C.EMPLOYEES TRAINED IN CPR/FIRST AID

Is the principal familiar with first-aid techniques?Yes

Other Members: Many faculty/ staff have been previously trained; however, none are currently certified.

D.LOCATION OF FIRST AID KITS:

Nurse’s Office

Gym

Small kit in each classroom

  1. LOCATION OF EMERGENCY TO GO KITS:

Nurse’s Office

SECTION IV

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT TEAM

AND CRISIS MANAGEMENT

A.EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT TEAM MEMBERS
  1. System Coordinator: Greg Teems
  2. Assistant Coordinator: Dr. William A. Hunter
  3. Other Members: Mrs. Laurie Atkins—Curriculum Director

Mrs. Julie Molanen—Exceptional Children Ser.

David Robinson- Director of Human Resources

Jana Ruark—Transportation

Kim McBurnett—Food Services

David Thompson—Technology Coordinator

B.CHAIN OF COMMAND

1.System Level:Superintendent: Dr. William A. Hunter

System Coordinator: Greg Teems

Assistant Coordinator: David Robinson

2.School Level:Principal: Laura Little

Assistant Principal: LeAnne Shelton

C.DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION

  1. Location of System’s News Media Area: Central Office
  1. Designated News Media Spokesperson: Dr. William A. Hunter
  1. Means of Communication:

a.Primary Means: Telephone

  1. Alternate Means: Cell Phones

2-way radios

D.IDENTIFICATION OF INJURED AND DECEASED

The following individuals will be responsible for identifying injuries and fatalities. They will be assisted by other teachers on an as-needed basis. These people will form the triage team, which will identify, classify and group the injured people according to the need for attention (injured or deceased).

Kathy McKelvey

Laura Little

Randy Cook

E.IDENTIFICATION OF BADGES

All persons assisting with the on-site emergency will be required to wear identification badges. Central Office will be responsible for issuing ID badges.

  1. DATES DRILLS CONDUCTED:

Fall, Winter and/or Spring. Projected date is May.

G.DATES PLAN EVALUATED

Annually. Projected review timeline is September/October of each school year.

SECTION V

RELOCATION SITES/STAGING AREAS

NOTE:Because of safety concerns in relocating occupants and/or setting up staging areas, the following information should be held in strict confidence and be provided only to authorized personnel.

A.EMERGENCY RELOCATION SITES

Primary SiteSecondary Site

CMS GymFirst Baptist Church

Family Life Center

Individuals responsible for the Emergency Relocation Sites:

Individual’s NameResponsible For

LauraLittle Primary Site

LeAnne Shelton Secondary Site

B.INCIDENT COMMAND CENTER

The Police Chief of the appropriate jurisdiction will serve as the incident commander and will be in charge of coordinating the response operations among all of the responding agencies. The public assistance agencies listed below represent a unified command structure.

Primary Site

On Campus

Agency Person in ChargeAgency Name

Chief Darrell Stephens Cedartown Fire Department

Chief Jamie NewsomeCedartown Police Department

Libby SmithDFCS

Donna ChatmanDept. of Juvenile Justice

Randy LaceyGEMA

Jerome HooperHighland Rivers Mental Health

Malindy ElyPolk County Health Department

Chief Kenny Dodd Polk County Police Department

Sheriff Johnny MoatsPolk County Sheriff Department

Chief Todd QueenRockmart Fire Department

Chief Keith SorrellsRockmart Police Department

C.FAMILY REUNIFICATION STAGING AREA

In the event of an emergency, all concerned parents, guardians, relatives and loved ones will be directed to the Family Reunification Area.

Primary SiteSecondary Site

CMS GymFirst Baptist Church

Family Life Center

Individuals responsible for the Family Reunification Staging Area:

Individual’s NameResponsible For

Jennifer Wetherington CMS Gym

Angie WardFBC Family Life Center

D.MEDIA STAGING AREA

All media will be required to report to and remain in the Media Staging Area. They will not be permitted into other areas and/or to roam freely through the facility.

Primary SiteSecondary Site

Cedartown High’s front Entrance Central Office

Individuals responsible for the Media Staging Area:

Individual’s NameResponsible For

Dr. William A. HunterAddressing the media

E.PUBLIC SAFETY STAGING AREA

Primary SiteSecondary Site

Parking Lot in front of CedartownLower Parking Lot of

High School Field HouseCedartown High

Individuals responsible for the Public Safety Staging Area:

Individual’s NameResponsible For

Chief Darrell Stephens Cedartown Fire Department

Chief Jamie Newsome Cedartown Police Department

F.BUS EVACUATION STAGING AREA

Primary SiteSecondary Site

Parking Lot in front of CedartownLower Parking Lot of

High School Field HouseCedartown High

Individuals responsible for the Bus Evacuation Staging Area:

Individual’s NameResponsible For

Beth Branch Primary Site

Kristina Whitfield Secondary Site

G.MISCELLAENOUS STAGING AREAS

Field in front of school

SECTION VI

SYSTEM RESPONSE PROTOCOLS

A.EMERGENCY CODES AND PROCEDURES

The Polk School District schools will use the following emergency codes to communicate immediately and effectively with all personnel and students in the facility. These codes are being standardized to help the system substitutes, staff transfers, and regular staff that work in multiple locations understand and properly utilize these codes during a crisis. The school will inform all school system employees and students of emergency procedures and codes. These will include training and drills.

The building administrator will be the main authority to initiate building lockdown and evacuations. Each building administrator will designate several key personnel who are authorized to make such a decision. All designees will be made aware of their responsibility and the scope of their authority to act. Throughout the remainder of this section, such individuals would perform the duties listed for the building administrator when the situation dictates. They would then be relieved of such responsibility upon the arrival of the building administrator. A school employee who has such authority to act should be on duty at all times when the facility is occupied.

  1. Normal Operations (Day-to-Day Activities)
  1. Conduct normal day-to-day activities including instructional activities, field trips, student sign in and sign out, etc.
  2. Continue normal school safety measures such as inquiring about suspicious persons, ensuring exits and entrances are secure, etc.
  1. Code Grey (Impending Severe Weather)
  1. Examples of situations where Code Grey protocol may be initiated: thunderstorm watch and warnings, tornado watch, hail storms, high winds, winter weather events, flashfloods, etc.
  2. Review the emergency procedures and have them posted in all rooms.
  3. Monitor weather bulletins including weather radios, TV and/or radio news broadcasts.
  4. Keep staff informed concerning the weather situation.
  5. Notify teachers in portable classrooms.
  6. Move students from portable classrooms to specified areas.
  7. Activate “spotters” when appropriate.
  8. Remove all students and staff from portable classrooms during all “warning” alerts.
  1. Code Blue (Heightened State of Security/Preventive Lock-down Protocol)
  1. Examples of situations where Code Blue protocol may be initiated: weapons on campus, bomb threats, fights that involve numerous individuals, weapons or is gang-related, a major crime or police chase near the school, and civil disturbance that pose a threat to students and staff.
  2. The building administrator will inform all school staff that the Code Blue protocol is being implemented by use of the classroom teacher phone or the intercom.