The Arizona Department of Education is committed to working in partnership with districts and schools across the state to develop and maintain emergency response plans (ERPs) that can keep our children safe.
New Resources
Access Functional Needs Guidance Documents for Emergency Response Plans
Planning for students in emergencies means planning for all students, including those with disabilities and special needs. Lessons learned from recent disasters have not only emphasize this point, but they have also illuminated the critical steps schools need to take to protect their campuses. Meeting the needs of students with disabilities and special needs in the event of an emergency does not have to be a daunting or a costly task. It simply requires administrators and officials to take into account the entire school community, from students and staff members to visitors and volunteers, and then take the appropriate actions to ensure the safety of all. Source: ERCM Express, Volume 2, Issue 1, 2006, U.S. Department of Education
- Fact Sheet from REMS – Source: Access and Functional Need Fact Sheet – Readiness for Emergency Management Technical Assistance Center (REMS TA)
- ERCM Express Newsletter – Source: ERCM Express, Volume 2, Issue 1, 2006, U.S. Department of Education
- REMS Website Resources – Source: Readiness for Emergency Management Technical Assistance Center (REMS TA)
- FEMA PPT – Source: Planning for the Whole Community, FEMA, 2011
- Dear Colleague Letter – Source: United States Department of Education, April 12, 2002
- Federal Register/FERPA Guidance – Source: Federal Register/Department of Education, December 9, 2008/Rules and Regulations
- Maricopa County Shelter Field Guide – Source: Maricopa County Department of Emergency Management
- Elementary School Planning Form – Source: ADE Work Group
- Middle/High School Planning Form – Source: ADE Work Group
- English Communication Picture Card – Source: Tulane University
- Spanish Communication Picture Card – Source: Tulane University
Essential Resources
- Arizona School Emergency Response Plan Minimum Requirements Arizona Revised Statute 15-341(A)(32) requires each school site to have an emergency response plan that meets the minimum state requirements. The ADE and ADEM are responsible for developing the minimum standards for school emergency response plans in Arizona.
- Emergency Response Plan Template
- Continuity of Operations Planning – COOP Functional Annex Guidelines
- Drills and Exercises: Guidelines for Schools
- Incident Command System (ICS) in Schools – WEBINAR
- ICS Schools – Speaker Notes
- Best Practice Considerations for Schools in Active Shooter and Other Armed Assailant Drills
- 2013 Guide for Developing High Quality School Emergency Operations Plans
Infectious Disease Information for Educators
Multiple federal agencies worked together to provide coordinated resources for educators on the various infectious diseases making news headlines recently. Resources from the U.S. Department of Education, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Department of Justice were introduced in this letter to Chief State School Officers.
The new resources include guidance on maintaining the civil rights of students and staff while ensuring a safe and healthy environment for all:
The Arizona Department of Health Services has also updated the Arizona-specific information on Ebola for educators.
Pilot Program on School Emergency Readiness
Congratulations FY17 Grant Recipients
- Miami Unified School District
- Sierra Vista Unified School District
Training
FEMA Independent Study Online Courses
The Arizona Minimum Requirements mandate that school employees who fill a role within the Incident Command System (ICS) structure are required to successfully complete three FEMA online trainings: IS-100SCa: Introduction to the Incident Command System for Schools, IS-200: Applying for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents, and IS-700: National Incident Management System (NIMS) An Introduction.
County Emergency Management On-site Training
Upon completing IS-100.SCa, IS-200, and IS-700, district and school ERP teams are strongly encouraged to also complete the Multi-Hazard Emergency Planning for Schools course either through their local emergency management office or FEMA. Districts can schedule the two-day MAG-364 Multi-Hazard Emergency Planning for Schools course by submitting an DEMA (Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs) training request form to the county emergency management office. There is no cost to the district for this training.
FEMA Training
Districts also have the option of sending teams to attend FEMA’s four-day course (E-361 Multi-Hazard Emergency Planning for Schools Course) in Emmitsburg, MD. FEMA covers the airfare, lodging, and training fees for training participants; the only expense is a $125.50 meal ticket per participant.
Advanced Training through DEMA
Upon completing FEMA’s E-361 or DEMA’s MAG-364, key personnel on a district’s ERP team are encouraged to also complete MAG-300 (Intermediate Incident Command Station) and MAG-400 (Advanced Incident Command Station) through DEMA.
Helpful Resources
- Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools Technical Assistance Center
- National Incident Management System
- NIMS Implementation Activities Checklist
- Comprehensive Preparedness Guide (CPG) 101V.2
- CPG 201 Toolkit Guide
- School Buildings and Infrastructure Protection
- FEMA Crosswalk of Capabilities
- National Preparedness Goal Handout
- How to Talk to Children about School Shootings
- Student Curriculum for Prolonged School Closure
- Psychological First Aid for Schools
- Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools (REMS) Toolkit
- MOU with Emergency Management – AZ MUTUAL AID COMPACT
- Sample MOUs with Law Enforcement, Public Health, Fire Services and Behavioral Health
Agency Contacts
- County Emergency Managers
- County Health Departments
- Tribal/Regional Behavioral Health Authority (T/RBHA) service providers
- Arizona Department of Health Services, Division of Behavioral Health Services
Contact Information
Phone: (602) 542-8730
Fax: (602) 364-1938
Email: [email protected]