Schools have a new tool to use in emergencies, adopting a system that allows them to place a 911 call to activate a radio communications network that links school staff with professional responders arriving at the scene. Traditionally, schools facing an emergency have called 911 and waited for first responders to arrive. Under the new enhanced 911 system, schools can call 911 and be immediately connected with first responders through the schools' two-way radios, connected and controlled by 911 dispatchers. The radios allow school staff to communicate and work directly with police, firefighters, and other first responders during a crisis. The system will be used in accordance with procedures established by the National Incident Management System (NIMS).
SchoolSAFE Crisis Communications is a one-day course that provides joint training for school safety personnel and local first responders to make the most of SchoolSAFE interoperable radio communications. Attendees will learn in-house principles of interoperable communications in managing school emergencies and live events, as well as how to communicate and cooperate with outside agencies when necessary. Attendees will gain hands-on experience using radios and the SchoolSAFE system during simulated crisis situations. Course instructors will pay close attention to how attendees communicate by radio under high-stress conditions, and will offer step-by-step guidance on how to improve coordination with community partners when responding to school incidents.
This course is designed for school emergency personnel with a critical role in response: superintendents, emergency management (crisis/incident response) team members, principals and assistant principals, facilities and food preparation staff, and administrators. Emergency management team members may include school resource officers, counselors, school psychologists, technology specialists, bus drivers, educators, coaches and athletic staff, resource staff, paraprofessionals, and support personnel. In addition, joint training with local first responders is essential.
The purpose of the SchoolSAFE Crisis Communications course is to provide a full day of high-energy, interactive and informative training to increase proficiency in NIMS-based radio communications. Course goals include:
- Reviewing the Incident Command System and its role in NIMS
- Understanding and practicing communications planning
- Understanding the basics of the 911 call
- Learning how first responders communicate
- Learning how to activate the emergency response network
- Understanding and practicing incident size-up and assessment
- Learning useful radio procedures, etiquette, and concise messages
- Designing and conducting tabletop and functional exercises using interoperable communications
None required.
