The Emergency School Guidelines Manual (EGS) is designed to provide guidance and recommendations for schools in Colorado Springs, CO to prepare for emergencies before a crisis or disaster affects the community. The Emergency Management Division of the Colorado Division of Homeland Security is responsible for providing mitigation, preparedness, response, recovery and coordination measures in the event of large-scale emergencies and disasters. The Pikes Peak (Colorado Springs) Regional Emergency Management Office works to reduce threats and prepares the citizens of Colorado Springs to respond to and recover from a disaster. The mission of the Colorado School Safety Resource Center is to help educators, emergency personnel, community organizations, school mental health professionals, parents and students create safe, positive and successful school environments for Colorado students in all preschool and higher education schools.
The Resource Center provides resources such as training materials, safety assessments, emergency plans, drills and exercises, and other resources to help schools develop a comprehensive safety plan. It is essential that schools in Colorado Springs have an emergency plan in place that outlines the steps to be taken in the event of an emergency. This plan should include procedures for responding to different types of emergencies such as natural disasters, fires, active shooter situations, medical emergencies, bomb threats, and hazardous material spills. It should also include information on how to contact emergency services such as police, fire department, and ambulance services. In addition to having an emergency plan in place, schools should also have an emergency response team that is trained in emergency response procedures. This team should be familiar with the school's emergency plan and be able to respond quickly and effectively in an emergency situation.
The team should also be trained in first aid and CPR. Communication is key during an emergency situation. Schools should have a communication plan in place that outlines how information will be disseminated during an emergency. This plan should include procedures for notifying staff, students, parents, and other stakeholders about the emergency situation. It should also include procedures for communicating with the media. Finally, schools should have a recovery plan in place that outlines how the school will recover from an emergency situation.
This plan should include procedures for restoring operations after an emergency has occurred. It should also include procedures for providing support services to students and staff who have been affected by the emergency. By following these guidelines and having an emergency plan in place, schools can ensure that they are prepared to handle any type of crisis or disaster that may arise. Being prepared is essential for keeping students safe during an emergency situation.
