Safety

Emergency Preparedness/Disaster Plans

Bomb Threat

Refer to procedures outlined in the Safety Manual.

Chemical-Release Incident

This plan may be used as a guideline when hazardous gases or materials escape out of their contained environment. Chemical accidents of disaster magnitude could include incidents involving tanker trucks, railroad cars, and large quantities of toxic gases or materials.

If a chemical release occurs outside the school building, do the following:

1. Initiate Shelter-in-Place Plan.
   
2. Call 9-911.
   
3. Notify the JCPS Security/Radio Room (485-3121) immediately; they will notify the proper JCPS departments.
   
4. All windows and doors shall be closed and shall remain shut. Stay in building and disable Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) units; also, kitchen exhaust systems shall be turned off. The school will be advised of the necessary action verbally, by telephone, or by emergency JCPS radio communication as additional information comes available. Turn on the radio and television for additional information.
   
5. Do not proceed outside unless directed to do so. If required, take action to evacuate the building and, if necessary, the school site. Transfer school-site operation only by the direction of the JCPS superintendent or his or her designee.
   
6. Render first aid, if necessary.
   
7. The principal will direct any other action as directed by the on-scene commander.
   

If a chemical release occurs within the school building, do the following:

1. Initiate Evacuation Plan, if required.
   
2. Call 9-911.
   
3. Call the JCPS Security/Radio Room at 485-3121; they will notify the proper JCPS departments.
   
4. Render first aid, if necessary.
   
5. All appropriate state and local agencies will be notified as to the nature of the emergency.
   
6. Refer to Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for specific information.
   
7. With the staff, maintain control of the students at a safe distance from the accident and take roll call. Students and staff shall not return to their respective areas until the school is determined to be safe by emergency responders.
   

Earthquake

Because earthquakes can strike without warning, the immediate need is to protect lives by taking the best available cover. All other actions must wait until the tremor subsides.

1. The custodian and/or maintenance personnel shall assist with the shutdown of the facility's mechanical, water, and gas systems. The electrical system is to be shut off if needed.
   
2. At no time—either from the building or from external, designated evacuation sites—should students or staff be dismissed until the JCPS Emergency Dismissal Procedures have been implemented. This precaution is crucial for accountability reasons and because the possible conditions of the surrounding community may not be known.
   
3. Students shall not reenter a vacated building if there is any doubt concerning the safety of the structure. In this event, an inspection should be requested by the Maintenance Department.
   
4. All schools are required by law to have an Earthquake Plan. Use the Earthquake Plan for additional information. Notify Emergency Services, if possible, by calling 9-911 and the district’s Radio Room at 485-3121 from a safe location.
   

Fallen Aircraft

If an aircraft falls near the school, the following will be implemented:

1. Alert staff.
   
2. Call 9-911.
   
3. Call the JCPS Security/Radio Room at 485-3121; they will notify the proper JCPS departments.
   
4. Render first aid, if necessary.
   
5. If smoke or fumes threaten the building, initiate your Chemical Release Plan.
   
6. The principal or designee will determine and direct any other actions as required.
   

If an aircraft falls on a portion of the school, the following will be implemented:

1. Initiate Evacuation Plan.
   
2. Call 9-911.
   
3. Call the JCPS Security/Radio Room at 485-3121; they will notify the proper JCPS departments.
   
4. Staff will evacuate students from buildings to a safe area as directed.
   
5. All students and staff will be kept at a safe distance, upwind, allowing for possible explosions. (Note: In case of jet aircraft, the minimum safe distance is 500 yards.)
   
6. Render first aid, if necessary.
   

Fire Procedures

In the event a fire is detected within a school building, the following actions will be taken:

1. Sound the school's fire alarm. This will automatically implement the Fire Drill Evacuation Procedures.
   
2. Notify the fire department, 9-911.
   
3. Call the JCPS Security/Radio Room, 485-3121.
   
4. Students and staff should not return to the school until fire department officials declare the area safe.
   
5. Notification of the fire department is mandatory on all fires.
   

Fire-Alarm Procedures

Note: All fire-alarm notifications must be called in to 9-911 or the appropriate fire administration and to the JCPS Security Office. All fires must be reported immediately by calling 9-911.

Occupied Facility:

1. If the fire alarm is activated while the building is occupied, initiate Evacuation Plan, and call 9-911 to report the sounding of the fire alarm. Give name of school, address, and the zone indication shown on the fire-alarm panel. Next, call the JCPS Security/Radio Room, 485-3121. If a staff member has observed or has reason to believe that a person pulled a fire alarm for obvious malicious reasons, notify the school office. The office can then silence the fire alarm and activate the all-clear signal, ceasing the evacuation process.
   
2. If a manual fire-alarm box has been pulled by an unknown individual, up to five minutes may be taken to locate the pulled, manual fire-alarm station. If the fire-alarm box cannot be located within five minutes, 9-911 shall be called. Next, call the JCPS Security/Radio Room at 485-3121. If staff locate the pulled, manual fire-alarm station and it appears that it was maliciously operated, the fire alarm can be silenced (but not reset), and the recall signal can be given to allow students and staff to return to the school. A staff member shall then notify fire administration at 574-3731. Advise that a malicious false alarm has occurred and that the staff and students have returned to the building.
   
3. Staff members must bear in mind that there is automatic fire-detection equipment in schools that can also activate the fire-alarm system. Staff members should not assume a fire alarm is false until the device activating the system has been found and a reason for the activation determined.
   
4. Should the alarm be activated by smoke or heat detectors or by the sprinkler system, 9-911 shall be immediately called. DO NOT RESET the fire-alarm system until advised to do so by a fire department.
   
5. Under no circumstance should the fire-alarm system be shut off or taken out of service. The principal shall, upon notification of deactivation by construction or any other cause that affects the fire-alarm system, notify the JCPS Safety, Environmental, and Housekeeping Services Office to assist the school in implementing a Fire Watch Program, which includes notifying the fire department.
   
6. The JCPS Security/Radio may recall the school to determine the status of the fire alarm after five minutes have elapsed. If the school cannot confirm that the alarm was a malicious false alarm, security may direct the school to call 9-911. Security may also make a secondary call to confirm this was done by the school. If the JCPS Security/Radio Room cannot contact the school to determine the cause of the fire alarm, the fire department shall be notified immediately.
   

Unoccupied Facility:

If the fire alarm is activated while the building is unoccupied, the following procedures should be followed:

1. The JCPS Security/Radio Room shall call the fire department (9-911) upon receiving the alarm and then call the General Maintenance Department. Under no circumstance should the alarm system be reset.
   
2. The JCPS Security/Radio Room should perform a visual inspection from outside the building, open the building for the fire department, and act as a liaison with the local fire department upon their arrival.
   

Fire-Drill Procedures

The JCPS Security/Radio Room must be advised of any fire-exit drills well in advance of and, if possible, immediately prior to the drill. Call 485-3121. If this does not occur, the JCPS Security Office may believe there is a fire at the school.

Hostage Situation/Armed Intruder

These situations are probably the least predictable and the most dangerous of the emergency situations that may confront the school principal.

1. Notify 9-911. Make sure the 911 operator understands that there is an armed person inside the school, and give his or her last known location. If possible, stay on the line until you are instructed to disconnect by the emergency operator.
   
2. Notify the JCPS Security/Radio Room at 485-3121.
   
3. Notify all teachers that you have an emergency situation. Keep all students inside their classrooms until further notice. All classroom doors should be locked upon notification.
   
4. Notify all students outside their classrooms (including those outside the school building) to report to the nearest safe classroom. All staff should make certain that any stray student is brought into a locked area.
   
5. Barricade the doors and windows with furniture, if necessary, to isolate students and employees from the hostage taker or armed person.
   
6. As soon as possible, and only if it can be accomplished safely, a staff member should be directed outside the building to warn all approaching visitors of the danger.
   
7. Assist police as directed by them. Expect the police to enter the building rapidly without warning.
   
8. When confronted by police, raise your hands above your head and identify yourself.
   
9. Blueprints shall be available for emergency personnel.
   

Medical Emergency

1. When a student accident, injury, or illness occurs, first aid is the immediate care that shall be given. First-aid priorities are the following:
   
   • Effect a prompt rescue.
     
   • Check for airway.
     
   • Check for breathing.
     
   • Check for circulation.
     
   • Control severe bleeding.
     
   • Check for poisoning or ingestion of chemicals.
     
   • Refer to the student's Emergency Information Card to determine if the student has special health concerns that require specific care (e.g., epilepsy/seizures, diabetes/insulin shock, allergy/asthma).
     
   • If further medical care is indicated, call 9-911 to notify EMS.
     
   • Notify parents/guardians as soon as possible if follow-up medical care is needed.
     
   • Inform parents/guardians of any first aid provided by school personnel.
     
   • Stay with the student until he or she is dismissed to his or her parent/guardian or designated school authority or returned to the classroom.
     
   • Do not give medication unless specifically ordered to do so by his or her own physician without an appropriately signed, notarized authorization given by the parent/guardian.
     
2. If it is necessary to transport the student to a doctor/hospital and the parent/guardian is unable to provide such transportation, then:
   
   • Call an ambulance selected by the parent/guardian.
     
   • Call 9-911 EMS. The parent/guardian of the student shall be responsible for the cost of private/EMS ambulance service.
     
   • School employees may transport but must stay with the student, until a parent/guardian or other appropriate party has assumed responsibility.
     
3. The Student Accident Report Form (F-442-1) shall be completed in duplicate, and one copy shall be sent to the Safety director within 72 hours of the accident.
   

Severe Cold Weather Procedures

If at any time the weather forecast predicts that the outdoor air temperature will be below 15 degrees F, the Plant Operator will be certain of the following before he or she leaves the building:

1. All classroom and rest room doors are open, with the exception of security alarm doors, audiovisual room doors, computer room doors, and storage room doors in the science classrooms.
   
2. All closet and cabinet doors where plumbing is located are open.
   
3. Any broken windows are covered with wood or plastic.
   
4. All window shades are pulled to the window sill, and all drapes are closed.
   
5. Any school operating with sewer plants should keep a steady flow of water in at least three locations in the building, with approximately one-half flow from one faucet at each location. A trickle of water should be left running in each rest room and in the kitchen area.
   
6. For Saturdays, Sundays, holidays, or when school is closed and the outdoor air temperature is below 15 degrees F, the Plant Operator will perform the following checks:
   
   • Check the building to ensure that the Boiler Room equipment (boiler and system pumps) is operational.
     
   • Ensure that there are no cold areas in the building that may be in danger of freezing water lines, sprinkler systems, or HVAC equipment.
     
   • Check the building between 8 a.m. and 12 noon each day the temperature has been below 15 degrees F and not below 0 degrees F.
     
7. When the outdoor temperature has been below 0 degrees F, the Plant Operator will check the building three times a day (8 a.m., 4 p.m., and 12 midnight).
   
8. In the event there is a problem in a school that has an area-maintenance person, the Plant Operator should call the area-maintenance person immediately for assistance in correcting problems.
   
9. Any time there is a boiler failure or a plumbing problem, notify the Security Office (485-3121), and Security will notify the proper maintenance personnel.
   
10. If there is no Plant Operator, someone must be designated to perform these functions. The name and telephone number should be listed with the Security Office, the director of General Maintenance, and the director of Mechanical and Electronic Maintenance.
    
11. At all times when entering a building after hours, school personnel as well as maintenance personnel will follow normal entry procedures as required by the JCPS Security Office. (Call Security at 485-3121 when entering or leaving the building.) This procedure is most critical during severe weather and is required during all building checks.
    

Severe Weather Procedures

Tornadoes, Thunderstorms, and Severe Winds

1. At the sound of an emergency-warning siren during severe weather conditions, immediately implement your emergency procedures, maintain sheltered positions, and monitor all communication sources until the all-clear signal is given. All schools may not be in an area where emergency-warning sirens can be heard. Any information indicating that severe weather is present requires immediate response by school personnel.
   
2. For a Tornado Warning notice, immediately implement your emergency procedures, vacate outside portable buildings, maintain sheltered positions, and monitor all communication sources until the all-clear signal is given.
   
3. For a Severe Storm/Severe Thunderstorm Warning notice, immediately implement your emergency procedures, maintain sheltered positions, and monitor all communication sources until the all-clear signal is given.
   
4. For a Tornado Watch or Severe Storm/Severe Thunderstorm Watch notice, review emergency procedures and be prepared to implement your emergency procedures; be prepared to vacate outside portable buildings, to check radio and television for additional information, and to monitor the JCPS Emergency Warning All-Call Radio. The location of emergency supplies (flashlights, first-aid kits, etc.) should be confirmed. Designated school personnel should observe outside weather conditions.
   
5. Call 9-911 if emergency responders are needed.
   
6. Notify the JCPS Security/Radio Room at 485-3121 if damage occurs; they will notify the proper JCPS departments.
   
7. Render first aid, if necessary.
   

Utility Emergency

Natural Gas Emergency

1. If a gas leak is suspected or detected, implement the following procedures:
   
2. Evacuate students and staff a safe distance from the building or the suspected leak site.
   
3. Call 9-911, and tell the dispatcher you smell gas. Ask the emergency dispatcher if you should call Louisville Gas & Electric Company at 9-589-5511.
   
4. Call the JCPS Security/Radio Room at 485-3121; they will notify the proper JCPS departments.
   
5. The building shall not be reentered until authorization is given by the fire department.
   

If there is ever any doubt, follow the evacuation procedures immediately.

If a strong concentration of gas is noted in the early morning hours when the custodian opens the school, the principal shall be notified immediately, and no one will be allowed to enter the building until the all-clear signal is given.

Power Failure

1. Make sure students and staff are safe.
   
2. Notify JCPS Security/Radio Room at 485-3121; they will notify proper JCPS departments.
   
3. Evacuate the building if advised by the principal or designee.
   
4. Proceed to the alternate site for your school, if necessary.
   
5. If required, students will be sent home by bus, or parents may pick up their students at the alternate location. Information on student pickup will be supplied by the JCPS District administration and relayed to the radio and television stations through the Community Development and Governmental Relations Division. No student shall be released until the order is received from the superintendent or designee.
   

Water Failure

1. Make sure students and staff are safe.
   
2. Notify the JCPS Security/Radio Room at 485-3121; they will notify the proper JCPS departments.
   
3. Attempt to determine the length of the outage.
   
4. Check with the JCPS Safety, Environmental, and Housekeeping Services Office at 485-3298 before using water after a public water failure has occurred.