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Emergency Response and Crisis Management (ERCM) Technical Assistance Center’s ERCM Express
Title: Emergency Response and Crisis Management (ERCM) Technical Assistance Center’s ERCM Express
Date: 2007
Author: N/A
Institution: Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools, U.S. Department of Education
Bibliographic Entry: “Emergency Response and Crisis Management (ERCM) Technical Assistance Center’s ERCM Express.” Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools, U.S. Department of Education 3, no. 6 (2007):1-12.
Electronic Link: http://rems.ed.gov/views/documents/ERCMX_Vol3Issue6.pdf
Key Words: all-hazard, emergency management plans; Prevention-Mitigation, Preparedness, Response and Recovery; Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED); National Surveillance; Territorial Reinforcement; Natural Access Control; Target Hardening; Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs); U.S. Department of Education’s Emergency Response and Crisis Management (ERCM); National Incident Management System (NIMS); local education agencies (LEAs)
Summary of Key Points, Issues, Conclusions:
Schools, as an integral part of the community, should initiate comprehensive, all-hazard, emergency plans, focused on crises both within schools and beyond school walls. When creating emergency management plans and procedures, the following four phases can serve as a framework: 1) Prevention-Mitigation, 2) Preparedness, 3) Response, and 4) Recovery. Plans should be developed along with community partners, including law enforcement agencies, emergency medical services, fire department, mental health, public health, and appropriate community agencies. Both large-scale events like a hurricane or terrorist attack or more isolated events such as an escaped prisoner or even Election Day can affect a school’s operation.
In terms of Prevention-Mitigation, when developing emergency management plans with community partners and emergency management officials, proximity to potential vulnerabilities should be considered. Schools should also remember what is in their realm of responsibilities. One strategy offered for minimizing entry and controlling access is Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED). CPTED deters criminal behavior through a multi-disciplinary four-strategy approach: 1) Natural Surveillance, 2) Territorial Reinforcement, 3) Natural Access Control, and 4) Target Hardening.
For Preparedness, schools should review current emergency management plans and conduct a gap analysis to determine if surrounding area vulnerabilities identified during the prevention-mitigation phase have been integrated. Schools can also prepare by developing Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with community partners.
In the Response phase, in order to effectively work with community partners, school officials should understand the National Incident Management System (NIMS).
To prepare for a smoother Recovery process, schools should preplan, implementing the basic recovery steps outlined in the plan and strategize specific actions. Schools can utilize a variety of communication methods. In addition, mental health recovery should also be of focus.
Since community events can be difficult to manage, true comprehensive emergency plans must be developed thinking beyond simply school-wide.
Name of Researcher: Alison Stevens
Institution: Integrative Center for Homeland Security, Texas A&M University
Date Posted: May 13, 2008