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Multi-Hazard Evacuation Plan

Section 363 of the FY 02 State Budget required the following:

"Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the superintendent of each school district shall, prior to the beginning of the school year, meet with the fire chief and police chief of the city, town or district to formulate a school specific "Multi-hazard evacuation plan" for each school under the superintendent's supervision. Said multi-hazard evacuation plan shall encompass, but not be limited to, evacuations for fires, hurricanes and other hazardous storms or disasters in which serious bodily injury might occur, shootings and other terrorist activities, and bomb threats. Said plan shall be designed for each school building after a review of each building. Said plan shall include, but not be limited to: (1) establishment of a crisis response team; (2) a designation as to who is in charge of said team and designated substitutes; (3) a communication plan; (4) crisis procedures for safe entrance to and exit from the school by students, parents and employees; and (5) policies for enforcing school discipline and maintaining a safe and orderly environment during the crisis. Each district, with the assistance of the local police and fire departments, shall annually review and update as appropriate said plan. At the beginning of each school year, students at each school shall be instructed as to the plan that is developed.

These resources may be of use in planning and responding to external threats to schools:

On October 7, 2002, the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) distributed the six copies of "Jane's School Safety Handbook" to all superintendents. This school safety guide assists teachers, school administrators and others in preparing for, responding to and recovering from security incidents in schools. The handbook includes procedures for responding to crises including shootings, bomb threats, terrorism, chemical-biological attacks and natural disasters. The handbook also addresses crisis planning and management, crisis recovery, facility security, threat assessment, mental health intervention, and it provides case study examples, as well. Districts may use Safe and Drug-Free funds to purchase the handbooks.