Strategies with Parents and Community

An important aspect of managing emergencies is dealing effectively with parent reactions and community agencies.  Communication with parents and the community is best begun before an emergency occurs.  Some useful strategies include the following:

1.      Inform parents about the school’s emergency plan, its objectives, and the need for it; such information can be included in a school newsletter, local public access media, websites or other informational materials prepared for parents.

a.      Lists of personnel on emergency teams and their specific roles in a crisis should not be detailed as parent or community information. Many of these list include private information such as cell phone numbers, etc…

b.      The details of the emergency plan should remain confidential, care should be given not to publish evacuation routes, floor plans or other information that could be used by individuals seeking target for predatory actions.
 

2.      Develop a school climate that nurtures relationships with parents so that they trust and feel comfortable calling school personnel in the event of emergency.
 

3.      Develop materials that may be needed including:

a.      Drafts of letters to parents informing them of what happened.

b.      Information regarding possible reactions to a variety of safety situations for use by parents as they talk with their children

c.      Steps the school and school district are taking to handle the situation.
 

4.      Develop a list of community resources which may be helpful to parents or helpful to the school in the event of an emergency.
 

5.      Identify parents who are willing to volunteer in case of an emergency, include them in preparation efforts, and include them in training.