The Ocean Springs School Board considers safety of students and staff to be one of its most important obligations. The Superintendent shall be responsible for developing rules and regulations for emergency preparedness in the event an alert is issued by the national Department of Homeland Security.
HOMELAND SECURITY ADVISORY SYSTEM
Our nation has created the Department of Homeland Security, which has three primary missions:
- Prevent terrorist attacks within the United States;
- Reduce America's vulnerability to terrorism; and
- Minimize the damage from potential attacks and natural disasters.
A critical function of homeland security is to ensure that our state and local governments, police, fire departments, paramedics, and concerned citizens are able to connect with local people representing the department. The Department of Homeland Security has established assessment guidelines for five (5) levels of threat to our nation. From time to time, the Director of Homeland Security may issue or change a national threat level alert. The five levels of threat alert are:
1. Low Condition (Green). This condition is declared when there is a low risk of terrorist attack. Federal departments and agencies should consider the following general measures in addition to the agency-specific protective measures they develop and implement:
a. Refining and exercising as appropriate preplanned protective measures;
b. Ensuring personnel receive proper training on the Homeland Security Advisory System and specific preplanned department or agency protective measures; and.
c. Institutionalizing a process to assure that all facilities and regulated sectors are regularly assessed for vulnerabilities to terrorist attacks, and all reasonable measures are taken to mitigate these vulnerabilities.
2. Guarded Condition (Blue). This condition is declared when there is a general risk of terrorist attack. In addition to the protective measures taken in the previous threat condition, federal departments and agencies should consider the following general measures in addition to the agency-specific protective measures they develop and implement:
a. Checking communications with designated emergency response or command locations;
b. Reviewing and updating emergency response procedures; and
c. Providing the public with any information that would strengthen its ability to act appropriately.
3. Elevated Condition (Yellow). An Elevated Condition is declared when there is a significant risk of terrorist attack. In addition to the protective measures taken in the previous threat conditions, federal departments and agencies should consider the following general measures in addition to the agency-specific protective measures they develop and implement:
a. Increasing surveillance of critical locations;
b. Coordinating emergency plans as appropriate with nearby jurisdictions;
c. Assessing whether the precise characteristics of the threat require the further refinement of preplanned protective measures; and
d. Implementing, as appropriate, contingency and emergency plans.
4. High Condition (Orange). A High Condition is declared when there is a high risk of terrorist attack. In addition to the protective measures taken in the previous threat conditions, federal departments and agencies should consider the following general measures in addition to the agency-specific protective measures they develop and implement:
a. Coordinating necessary security efforts with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies or any National Guard or other appropriate armed forces organization;
b. Taking additional precautions at public events and possibly considering alternative venues or even cancellation;
c. Preparing to execute contingency procedures, such as moving to an alternative site or dispersing their workforce; and
d. Restricting threatened facility access to essential personnel only.
5. Severe Condition (Red). A reflects a severe risk of terrorist attack. Under most circumstances, the protective measures for a Severe Condition are not intended to be sustained for substantial periods of time. In addition to the protective measures taken in the previous threat conditions, federal departments and agencies should consider the following general measures in addition to the agency-specific protective measures they develop and implement:
a. Increasing of redirecting personnel to address the critical emergency needs;
b. Assigning emergency response personnel and pre-positioning and mobilizing specially trained teams or resources;
c. Monitoring, redirecting, or constraining transportation systems; and
d. Closing public and government facilities.
SEVERE CONDITION (RED ALERT) PLAN
Depending on the circumstances and the nature of the attack, the first and most important decision school administrators need to make is whether to stay or get away. School district personnel should understand and plan for both possibilities. Decisions should be made using common sense and available information to determine if there is immediate danger.
In any emergency, local authorities may or may not be able to provide information immediately on what is happening and what should be done; however, radio and television news reports should be monitored for information or official instructions as they become available. The Superintendent shall prepare administrative procedures as to monitoring methods (e.g., use of television, radio, or Internet access), responsibilities (staff assignments), and circumstances (High Condition and/or Severe Condition alerts).
When specifically advised by local authorities, the schools will be evacuated or medical treatment will be sought for all persons on school property.
In the event the Department of Homeland Security issues a Severe Condition alert, this school district will follow the directives of local civil defense authorities. If immediate evacuation and closure of school buil dings is required, appropriate transportation will be provided to established "safe areas" and parents will be notified via radio and/or television announcements. The schools in this district will remain closed until considered safe to reopen.
If directives are received that the school/s will activate 'lock down" procedures, staff and students will not be allowed to leave the premises and no persons will be allowed to enter without proper identification. All staff and students will be moved to secure areas of the school buildings where appropriate safety procedures will be implemented. Emergency supply kits will be maintained in each designated secure area. The district will also maintain food and water provisions to supply all staff and students for at least three (3) days. Communications will be maintained with local authorities so that parents can be made aware that their children are being protected.
NOTE: Emergency planning resources are available online at: www.ed.gov/emergencyplan/
The Mississippi Public School Accountability Standard for this policy is Standard 37.
LEGAL REF.: MS Code as cited
Mississippi Public School Accountability Standards
ADOPTED: 01/17/2006
REVISED: 11/10/2009