What Is Response?

Icon of an ambulanceThe goals of the response phase are to:

  • Determine that an emergency is occurring
  • Determine appropriate response (evacuation, shelter in place, or lockdown)
  • Activate the emergency-response plan
  • Maintain communication with all staff and first responders
  • Establish what information needs to be communicated to staff, teachers, assistants, children, families, and the community 
  • Provide emergency first aid as needed
    https://www2.ed.gov/admins/lead/safety/crisisplanning.html

Response is directly related to preparedness—the more you prepare and practice your emergency response, the more efficient your response will be.

Now that you’ve developed your plan, it’s time to practice!

The three types of responses discussed in this chapter are:

Evacuation: when emergency conditions require that you seek immediate protection at another location. www.ready.gov

Shelter in Place: when emergency conditions require that you seek immediate protection in the building you are in. In this chapter, we use shelter in place to describe responses to weather events such as tornadoes, earthquakes, severe weather, landslides, or debris flow. https://www.ready.gov/be-informed

Lockdown: a shelter-in-place procedure that requires children and adults to shelter in a safe room, lock doors, and remain quiet until the event is over. A lockdown requires children and adults to shelter in a safe room, lock doors, and remain quiet until the event is over. In this chapter, we use lockdown to describe violent attacks or other
potentially dangerous situations. https://www.publicsafety.upenn.edu/pennready/procedures/