Take time to digest what's being put forward. Some may find it naive and unrealistic (which the author herself says is a possibility). But there is tremendous value in what's she's urging us to consider.
On "A Fear of Danger and The Danger of Fear" - I'm providing the link to my newest blog post talking about this issue and how it probably has more of an effect on us all on a day-to-day basis than some of us would care to admit.
Somewhat reluctant to post this article, but feel it must be shared if for no other reason than to help those outside the first responder "community" have an idea of what these unsung, unassuming heroes go through in the aftermath of tragedies like the one at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Their stories are heartbreaking, heart wrenching, heart warming. And they must live with the images of that day frozen into their psyches for the rest of their lives. We honor you!
This might just be one of the best things I've seen come along in a very long time to help with the issue of emergency management in schools. Need to do more research on it, but it appears to have great promise, especially regarding taking the "fear" out of talking to kids about this kind of stuff. Who knows - maybe it'll help take the fear out of it for adults, too?
For anyone interested in the difference between a School Resource Officer and what so many others are calling "armed security/police" in schools, this article is very well written and informative, in my opinion.
I loved this blog post by Mary Cathryn Ricker, President of the St. Paul Federation of Teachers, Local 28 - this is the effort that needs to be made. Let's get this done!
"Now, more than ever, the illusions of division threaten our very existence. We all know the truth: more connects us than separates us. But in times of crisis the wise build bridges, while the foolish build barriers. We must find a way to look after one another as if we were one single tribe.” -King T'Challa, Black Panther
The truth is incontrovertible. Malice may attack it. ignorance may deride it, but in the end, there it is. ~Winston Churchill
Interesting short video on seismic events affected by the New Madrid Fault in the very midsection of our country. In the "rush" to address the issue of gun violence, particularly as it relates to safer schools following the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School, we sometimes kinda forget there are other hazards/risks faced by our schools. While schools were not specifically mentioned in this video, some would consider them to be critical infrastructure. As such, special planning for these types of events is necessary in order to be adequately prepared when they occur. While Colorado has not specifically been identified as an "active" seismic zone, these events are not unheard of here. When planning for emergencies and disasters, schools must look at an "all hazards" approach. Following an identification of the hazards/risks posed to a school environment, those hazards/risks can then be "prioritized" based on their likelihood of occurrence and the potential impacts when they do occur. Appropriate resources can then be allocated toward addressing those hazards/risks in a logical, rational, and appropriate manner.
Things every school should consider having on hand at all times:
SPEED (Safety) BAGS: Are bags that contain supplies that you may need in an emergency. These bags should always be readily available in case of an emergency. There should always be a minimum of two Speed Bags per building.
Contents within the Speed Bag should be the following.
Logs Contacts and Rosters
1. Student register with parent emergency numbers.
2. List of students with custody limitations
3. Teacher/Employee roster
4. Teacher/Employee schedules
5. Emergency phone numbers
6. Student tracking/record keeping system
7. Parent re-unification forms
Plans
1. School emergency plan
2. Building floor plans (addit copies for responding agencies)
3. Ext school grounds maps (addit copies for other agencies)
4. Map of local area
Keys
1. Master keys to building
Equipment
1. Cellular Phone w/ adaptors and charging device
2. Bull horn(s)
3. Portable walkie-talkies
4. Flashlights and batteries
5. AM/FM radio
6. Weather band radio
Supplies
1. Pens and pencils
2. First aid supplies
3. Index cards and note pads
4. Blankets and Towels
5. Cups and plastic containers
6. Plastic bags
7. Potassium Iodide
8. Poster paper to make signs
Z: I would recommend fluorescent colored marking tape (similar to the police crime tape without the words) to mark danger and/or the injured. Stakes to wrap the tape around would be good, too.
Also, extra cell phone batteries that are charged Or they make a device that will power the cell for a few minutes, if there aren't extra batteries and/or a plug in & extra walkie-talkie batteries. How about a car charger for the cell phone?
