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Across the country, public schools are increasingly being designated emergency shelters for their communities when natural disasters—such as hurricanes, wildfires, and tornadoes—impact their area. The benefits of using schools as disaster shelters include the availability of space and resources—access to restrooms, water, and electricity, for example. The community’s familiarity with the location helps reduce confusion and anxiety, and having school administration take the lead coordinating with the local government means they can more easily streamline collaboration with local emergency services.
Preparation and Planning
To navigate these challenging situations with as little chaos as possible, additional preparation and planning is needed. Let’s look at the key considerations for preparing schools to serve as disaster shelters.
1. Identify potential hazards and risks
- Conduct a hazard assessment to identify potential risks, such as floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires, and other natural or human-caused disasters that may impact the community.
- Determine the likelihood and severity of each hazard and develop plans accordingly.
2. Create emergency plans and evacuation procedures
- Develop and maintain emergency plans that outline procedures for responding to different types of disasters.
- Include evacuation plans that designate safe routes and assembly points, and consider the needs of people with disabilities, elderly, or those with special needs.
- Plan for how you will account for each individual sheltering on campus and how you will protect your community’s most vulnerable people—such as children, the elderly, or disabled persons—from registered sex offenders during a disaster evacuation.
Using a visitor management solution does more than provide you with an accurate headcount. Checking evacuees against the sex offender database empowers you to enact a separation protocol—keeping registered offenders separate from children while still providing shelter to your whole community during the disaster.
3. Identify resources and equipment
- Determine the resources and equipment that will be needed in a disaster, such as first aid kits, water, food, cots, blankets, and other essential items.
- Stockpile and maintain these supplies in a designated location on the school campus and keep them in good condition.
- Develop a system for tracking and replenishing supplies as needed.
4. Prepare facilities and infrastructure
- Ensure that the school facilities and infrastructure are safe and secure for use during a disaster.
- Inspect and maintain the building, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems, and address any issues promptly—and have a plan for power outages and loss of other resources, including water.
- Identify areas of the school that can be used for shelter, such as gymnasiums, cafeterias, and classrooms, and ensure they are clean and accessible.
5. Prepare your staff and your community with regular training and education
- Train staff, volunteers, and community members on the roles and responsibilities they will have during a disaster response.
- Conduct regular drills and exercises to test the emergency plans and procedures and identify areas for improvement.
- Educate the community on the importance of disaster preparedness and the availability of school shelters as a safe option.
By preparing schools to serve as disaster shelters, communities can ensure that they have a safe place to go during emergencies, and that they are able to respond quickly and effectively to protect their residents.
Coordination and communication
Effective communication and coordination are crucial components of disaster response. When schools are used as disaster shelters, it is important to establish clear lines of communication and coordination with local government agencies, emergency services, community organizations, and volunteers. Here are some key considerations for coordinating and communicating during a disaster response:
1. Communication with emergency services
- Establish a clear protocol for communication and coordination with emergency services, such as police, fire, and medical personnel.
- Designate a liaison to serve as the primary point of contact for emergency services, and ensure that all staff, volunteers, and community members know how to contact them.
- Provide emergency services with information about the school facilities and resources available for use during a disaster.
2. Collaboration with local organizations and businesses
- Establish partnerships with local organizations and businesses to provide resources and support during a disaster response.
- Work with organizations such as the American Red Cross or other community groups to provide supplies and assistance to those in need.
- Coordinate with local businesses to provide food, water, and other essential items for shelter residents.
3. Regular drills and exercises
- Conduct regular drills and exercises to test the emergency plans and procedures and identify areas for improvement.
- Involve emergency services, local organizations, and community members in these drills to promote communication and coordination.
- Use the results of these exercises to refine the emergency plans and procedures.
4. Communication with the community
- Develop a clear communication plan for sharing information with the community during a disaster response.
- Use a variety of communication channels, such as social media, email, text messages, and traditional media outlets, to provide updates and information to the public.
- Establish a system for receiving feedback and input from the community and use this feedback to improve emergency plans and procedures.
By establishing clear lines of communication and coordination, communities can ensure that their schools are able to effectively serve as disaster shelters, and that they are able to respond quickly and efficiently to protect their residents.
Empower your schools with the right technology
To learn more about the benefits of using technology like Raptor Visitor Management to create innovative school safety solutions, listen to this podcast.
Want to know more about how Raptor can help support your district’s unique needs? Schedule a demo.
Related Resources
Strategies for Effective K-12 Disaster Preparedness, Response, and Recovery
Responding and recovering from a severe weather event starts with creating a plan to keep everyone safe.
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