PSD is committed to providing a safe and inclusive learning environment for all of our students and staff. District schools and facilities follow a crisis management/ communications plan based on the FEMA National Incident Management System.
PSD's approach to emergency response and crisis management focuses on five phases of crisis management:
1. Prevention
School prevention include visitor screening, suicide assessment and intervention, implementing prevention programs, and conducting threat assessments.
2. Protection
Some school protection programs include evacuation, sheltering for hazard, lockdown, lockout and "run-hide-fight" protocols.
3. Mitigation
Examples of mitigation include installation of backup generators for power outages; early warning systems for severe weather events, fencing hazardous areas, safe construction and defensible space for wild land fires, and the presence of School Resource Officers. Any of these measures could mitigate the impact of an event.
4. Response
Taking action to effectively contain and resolve the crisis or emergency, including all aspects associated with notifying and protecting the students, staff, public and property.
5. Recovery
Assisting students and staff in the healing process and restoring educational operations in schools. The two main priorities of this phase are the emotional recovery of the students and staff and the physical recovery of school.
For more information about what to expect in the event of a school emergency or crisis situation, view the In Case of Emergency brochure, available in Spanish as well.