SENECA TOWNSHIP
HIGH SCHOOL
DISTRICT #160
307 E. Scott Street
Seneca, IL 61360
EMERGENCY PLAN
2012/2013
Table of Contents
FORWARD
INTRODUCTION
DISASTER DRILLS
General Evacuation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Alternative Evacuation of Site . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Alternative Evacuation of Special Needs
and Cold Weather Evacuation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
List of Classes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Alternative Evacuation Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fire Evacuation
Floor Plans
Tornadoes
Bomb Threat
Hazardous Materials Incident
BUILDING SECURITY
Teacher/School Safety Procedures
Lockdown/Shelter In Place
Utility Emergencies
Serious Injury or Illness
Nuclear Emergencies
Disturbances
Terrorism
Emergency Numbers
Connect Ed/Lightning Detection
Backpack Inventory List
CRISIS MANAGEMENT PLAN
DEALING WITH GRIEF
DEFIBRILLATOR
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General Evacuation
1. Begin evacuation with your “Buddy room/teacher.”
2. Red Classroom Kit with emergency items must be taken outside.
3. Do not delay for student/staff personal belongings
4. One teacher will lead the evacuating students out by the primary route. The second
teacher will follow the class.
5. If the primary route is blocked, the lead teacher will select an alternate route.
6. Go directly to the designated rally area and wait for instructions.
7. Check your students for injuries.
8. Take attendance. Hold up “green” card if all are present. Report missing students to
the command post by holding up a “red” card. A runner will be sent to you.
9. If you have questions or problems, hold up your “red” card.
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Alternative Evacuation of Site
In the event of an emergency evacuation of site, teachers who have freshmen or sophomore
classes (see list on the other side and below) will exit the building from the south (or whichever exit will
get you to the loading location most quickly), and move east down the sidewalk towards the football
field. Buses will be waiting at the end of the sidewalk; students will be instructed to board buses in an
orderly fashion for the number of buses available. As soon as students appear to be lined up and ready
to board, faculty members parked on the south side of the building will move to their cars and drive east
on the blacktop walkway around the football field behind the home bleachers to the parking lot where
they will line up to transport students.
Junior and senior classes will exit from the north side (or whichever exit will get you to the
loading location most quickly) of the building. Teachers are to instruct students to line up in an orderly
fashion where the twenty-five lanes are painted (outside the Ag shop). Faculty members who are
parked in the north parking lot are to go to their cars and line up, bumper to bumper going east, to load
students at these lanes. Once a group of cars is loaded, they are to proceed in caravan, around the
parking lot towards the Canal Road gate. There, they are to wait for a lead bus to exit the parking lot
first and to follow that bus.
Mrs. Cooke’s students and those with physical disabilities are to exit Entry Door E to the west
of Mrs. Cooke’s Room and board the activity bus that will be parked there.
If this incident should occur during a teacher’s planning period, they may be called upon to help
direct traffic.
Dismiss
Second floor Freshmen and Sophomore classes will exit first. Upperclassmen who are in those
classes will exit with the class.
Second floor Junior and Senior classes will exit second. Underclassmen who are in those classes
will exit with those classes and go to the loading dock.
All remaining classes will be dismissed third.
Teachers will use the “buddy system” in dismissing their classes, with one teacher leading and
the other following. This system is to be determined by individual teachers in their areas.
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Alternative Evacuation of Special Needs Students
At the beginning of the year, every teacher who has a special needs or physically disabled
student in their classroom at any period of the day must devise an evacuation plan for that student. If
the student is accompanied by an aide, that person will be in charge of the student’s evacuation. If
there is no aide, a responsible regular education student should be assigned to the student to assure
safe exit from the building. Each teacher is to bring a written evacuation plan for their physically
disabled or special needs student to the main office.
Cold Weather Evacuations
In the event of an evacuation during extreme weather, when having students meet in an
outdoor location would be prohibitive, administrators have determined that students who have exited
the track side of the building will be directed to the West Campus gym for shelter; those who have
exited the parking lot side will walk around the football field side of the building to the bus barn for
shelter. (There will also be the option for student to board a bus to remain warm in extreme cold.)
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List of Classes
South- Freshmen/ Sophomores
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North- Juniors/ Seniors
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Algebra
Algebra IA
Algebra IB
Algebra II (Fr. Class)
Animal Science
Applied Biology
Applied Geometry
Art I
Band
Basic Communications
Biology
BTW
Computer Skills
Drafting
Driver’s Ed/Safety
Economics
English I
English II
Family/Consumer Science
Geometry
Health Occupations
ILS
Intro to Ag
Intro to Family/Consumer Science
Intro to Tech
Life Science
PE
Physical Science
Soil Science
Spanish I
Spanish II
START
World Geography
World History
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Accounting I, II, & III
Ag Management
Ag Mechanics
Ag Science
Algebra II & III
Allied Health
Anatomy/Physiology
AP English
Applied Comm. Drawing
Art II, III, & IV
BFS
Business Concepts
Building Trades
Calculus
Chemistry I & II
Child Care Occupations I & II
Child Devel./Care
Chorus
Computer Concepts
Creative Writing
English III & IV
Environmental Problems
Foods
Government
Health
High School Media
The Holocaust in Literature
Humanities
Intro to Horticulture
IVCC Classes
Math IV
Music Appreciation (History of Rock & Roll)
Nursing Ass’t
Photography
Physics
Pre Calc
Pub. Speaking
Software App.
Spanish III & IV
Trig
US History
Video Production
Vocational Auto
Webpage
Woods
Fire
In the event that smoke or fire is detected within a school building, proceed according to the
following plan:
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Sound the fire alarm by pulling the alarm system switch closest to your location. The Seneca
Fire Department will be notified via this alarm system activation. (Confine the fire by closing the
door of the area involved if this can be done safely. School personnel trained in the use of fire
extinguishers may fight small fires after sounding the alarm if they can do so without
endangerment.)
Evacuate the building according to the established fire drill plan. Faculty and students should be
as far from the structure as possible and away from the fire department equipment. Faculty
should take roll call after evacuation and notify administration of anyone who does not answer
the roll.
Designated faculty or staff will check washrooms and supposedly vacant rooms. Utility
companies will be contacted regarding any break or suspected break in lines which might
present an additional hazard.
Notify Seneca Police Department at 911 or 357-8726. Keep access roads open for emergencies.
Students and staff should not return to the school until fire department officials declare the area
safe or until they discover the cause of the inadvertent alarm.
In the event of a fire near the school, the principal shall determine which of the foregoing
instructions are required after consultation with fire and police officials, as premature
evacuation not coordinate with fire and police could lead to confusion.
Lunch Time Fire Drill
If there should be a fire alarm during 3rd hour lunch periods, students who are in the commons at
lunch should leave the building and report to the track infield. The counselors will have third hour
class lists. Teachers are to report to the counselors according to their last name, as A-K to Mr.
Houchin and L-Z to Mr. Jackson and be given their class list, a red and a green card and be able to
organize their own class in the infield. Students will be instructed in this procedure by their 3A or 3B
classroom teachers.
Students who are in class will still go with their teachers to their assigned locations. Students
who are in the media center during their lunch hour would exit the building on the track side and
report to the counselors in the center of the track before finding their classroom teachers.
Teachers with prep time and who are not in their rooms should check their areas before exiting
the building for the fire drill.
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Tornadoes
A tornado watch is a forecast of the possibility of one or more tornadoes in a large area. Continue
normal activities but watch for tornadoes.
A tornado warning means that a tornado has been detected and may be approaching.
A school warning signal will be given via the intercom. In the event of a power outage, a boat horn will
be used. Proceed with students to the pre-designated areas. Remain there until notified by an “All
Clear” signal.
Any parent may pick up their child; however no students will be sent out on a bus during this period.
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Bomb Threat
If a call is received that a bomb has been planted in or around the school, the following should be
determined from the caller:
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Name or organization associated with the attempted bombing
Exact location of the bomb
Time set for detonation
Description of the bomb
What type of explosive used
Also date, time, caller gender, age range, and identifying background noises.
If the caller does not wish to answer question, try to encourage the caller to do so by expressing
a desire to save lives. Try to keep the caller on the line as long as possible so the phone call can be
traced.
As soon as possible, contact the superintendent, principal, or assistant principal who will call the
fire and police departments and their designated emergency contacts.
The following checklist will assist administrator/custodians in what to look for while chewcking
the school for a bomb:
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Are windows shut and locked?
Was the door locked?
Was the door ajar upon entering?
Are the lights on?
Are there any extraneous wires, packages, lengths of pipe, exposed matchbooks, wire or string
attached to an unknown object, or a ticking sound in the room?
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Hazardous Materials Incident
Warning of a hazardous incident is usually received from the fire or police department or from
emergency services officials when such incidents occur sufficiently near the school to be a threat to the
safety of the students. An overturned tanker, a broken fuel line or an incident in a commercial
establishment that uses chemicals are all potential hazards if occurring near the school or down-wind so
fumes could be carried into the school. DO NOT PANIC.
The District will implement the ESDA plan.
Notification will be made to the following school personnel:
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Principal
Maintenance/Custodians
Cafeteria
Secretaries
Teachers will be notified to check their e-mail messages. Instructions will be given to follow the
designated evacuation route. Instruct students not to talk nor lag behind. Teachers must check
roll when everyone is out of the building.
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Teacher/School Safety Procedures
Procedure for securing the building:
1. Announcement: “Secure the Building.”
2. Everyone remains in their location and keeps students in the room.
a. Students at lunch in the commons, with the nurse or in the office will remain there,
following instructions from the supervisor in charge.
b. Turn out lights and lock doors
c. Everyone remain silent and calm
3. Immediately clear halls of students. Bring any students in the hall into your classroom whether
they are part of your official class or not. Make a list of these students and their
regular/homeroom teacher. If the danger is inside and your students are outside, keep them
outside and take them to a secure area away from the building. Students in the gym or
lunchroom will be instructed by the supervisor as to what they should do.
4. Do not leave your classroom until evacuated by a school or law enforcement official or in the
judgment of the teacher, it is safe to leave the room. Take your class roster to account for
students within your direct care.
5. “Secure the Building” procedure remains in effect until; “All Clear” is announced.
The above items are guidelines for teachers. Our biggest asset in any crisis is the good common sense of
our faculty and staff. Please use your discretion in any emergency situation.
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Lockdown
When the Announcement is Made:
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Students should report to the nearest classroom
Close all windows, lock your doors and do not leave for any reason
Cover all room and door windows
Stay away from all doors and windows and move students to interior walls and drop
Shut off lights
Be quiet
Wait for further instructions
Shelter in Place
When the Announcement is Made:
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Students are to be cleared from the halls immediately and should report to assigned classrooms
Close and tape all windows and doors and seal the gap between bottom of the door and floor
Take attendance
Do not allow anyone to leave the classroom
Stay away from all doors and windows
Wait for further instructions
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Utility Emergencies
The possible effects of the loss of each utility within the school:
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Gas- no heat
Water- no use of toilet, drinking water, nor water for cleaning
Electricity- no heat or refrigeration available; unable to wash dishes or clean
Telephone- No communication with parents or the outside alternate sources of power supply
available:
 Internal generator system
 Cell phones available on campus
Community resources to locate alternate sources of necessary supplies:
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Seneca Grade School: 815-357-8744
Seneca Food Mart: 815-357-6734
Church Food Pantry
Convenience Stores
Gas Line Break: TOP PRIORITY
Be sure all sources of sparks or flames (motors, pilot lights, matches, etc.) are extinguished or turned off.
Clear the immediate area and evacuate buildings.
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Call the fire department- 911 or 357-8721
Call the police department: 911 or 357-8726
Call the superintendent and/or principal: 357-5070
Call Nicor Gas Company: 888-642-6748
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After School Hours
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Clear the immediate area and evacuate the building
Call the fire department: 911 or 357-8721
Call Nicor Gas Company 888-642-6748
Call the principal: 815-258-1155
Call the superintendent: 815-433-9411 (call first)
815-258-4765 (call second)
Electric Power Failure
Notify the main office who will call Com Ed: 880-334-7661
Water Main Break
Call Seneca Water Department: 357-8771
If flooding occurs and a pump is needed, call the Seneca Fire Department: 357-8721
Water coolers and cups will be placed in several areas of the building for drinking water should a boil
order be in effect. Antiseptic hand cleaner will be provided to classroom teachers so students are able
to clean their hands. Water is drawn in buckets to enable the custodial staff to flush toilets.
After School Hours
Call the Seneca Police Department: 911 or 357-8726
Call David Geekie (815-409-1511 or Bob Lacoax 312-841-3128)
If flooding occurs and pumps are needed, call the Seneca Fire Department at: 357-8721
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Serious Injury or Illness
At registration, each parent/guardian is asked to fill out a “Student Emergency Information” form, which
asks for a hospital preference, should the nurse be unable to reach a parent, and for any health
problems or allergies the student may have. Faculty/coaches/supervisors should assess an injury or
illness and immediately contact the school nurse and principal; then the parent or legal guardian.
Medical resource-school nurse: 357-5045 or extension 145
External Resources
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Morris Hospital: 942-2932
Community Hospital of Ottawa: 433-3100
Seneca Medical Clinic: 357-8550
The school nurse and principal shall determine the seriousness of the injury or illness. This will
determine if the injured or ill student will be taken to the hospital.
Depending on the seriousness of the situation, the injured or ill may be transported to the hospital by
one of the following:
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Ambulance: 911 or 357-6442. If an ambulance is called, it is helpful to have someone meet and
direct the ambulance personnel to the injured. Be sure to inform the superintendent on all
serious injuries or illnesses. Inform him of the number of students, the type of injury,
seriousness and status of the situation.
Parents: the parent will come to the school to transport the injured/ill in his/her own car. Be
sure to tell the parents the nature of the injury or illness and ask them to verify the hospital of
their preference.
Teacher/Administrator/Nurse/Supervisor: After conferring with the parents, a high school
administrator or his/her designee may transport the injured/ill student to the hospital.
An accident report form and list of those injured shall be filled out and forwarded to the nurse.
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Nuclear Emergencies
In case of a nuclear emergency, the following plan is to be implemented to evacuate students from
Seneca High School to a relocation center would most likely be Illinois Valley Community College near
Oglesby, IL. The route taken will be determined by law enforcement officials and again, depends on
conditions.
Students in the building will load buses at the designated entrances. As soon as a bus is full, it will leave.
The teaching staff will have the following responsibilities:
1. Prepare their students to make the trip
2. Supervise the students to the bus loading point before getting their own cars in line to pick up
students who will not be boarding a bus
3. Be sure to have class lists available to help account for students
The duties of other staff members are as follows:
Nurse: On general call, will bring emergency cards, necessary health supplies and any medication
required by individual students
Superintendent: Will be at the Emergency Operations Center and in direct contact with the principals
Secretaries: will remain at the school and along with the custodial staff, will be evacuated last
Custodial Staff: will assure all people are evacuated, set heat and cooling devices, secure the building
and will handle any other building preparation necessary before evacuation. They will be evacuated by
order from the superintendent.
Cafeteria Workers: Will shut off stoves and secure the area. They will be responsible for their own
evacuation
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Disturbances
What to do during a disturbance
Assess the situation and determine its seriousness.
Implement the following procedures:
1. Notify the superintendent. If he is unavailable, notify the closest administrator, who will notify
officials through 911. He should then notify all nearby schools of a possible disturbance.
2. Implement the school’s emergency plan
3. Have all personnel record events that occur in their vicinity with names, times, place of events
and any actions they have taken
4. Keep the telephone lines clear for emergency calls
5. Maintain normal classroom activities as much as possible and encourage all students to stay in
class
6. If a disturbance is outside, keep students away from the windows
7. Advise students of any potential threat to their safety that may be encountered when leaving
school
8. Inform students and student groups not to try to calm any disturbance where physical harm
might occur or that would jeopardize their normal relationship with other students
9. Protect essential records, unless staff safety is threatened
10. Keep parents fully informed of the situation in school if possible
11. Assign a staff person with the specific responsibility of dealing with all news media. Dispel
rumors by providing reporters with periodic briefings
What to do after a disturbance
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Do not return to the building until authorized by local emergency officials. Close the school if
necessary and :
o Inform all neighboring schools
o Inform parents as quickly as possible through radio and/or television
o Inform all students and staff
o Inform local police before closing the school to prepare them for any possible
disturbances in the area after students are dismissed
o Arrange for bus transportation and security
o Supervise dismissal
o Release students in groups rather than all at once whenever possible
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Terrorism
Terrorism has no clear meaning; it can be the act itself or merely the threat to commit such an act. It
can be a state of mind caused by actions that may or may not be a criminal act. Terrorist activities
include bombings, sabotage, kid-napping or taking of hostages, murder or assassination and hijacking.
The primary concern is the possibility of death or injury caused by a terrorist. There are three types of
threats phased sequentially by terrorists:
1. Demanding actions to which a person, groups or population has already taken position
2. Attempting to induce an individual, group or population to change a specific behavior
3. Demanding a change in a course of action directly opposed to those which people are pursuing
The main areas terrorists disrupt could be utility services such as water plants, electrical or gas
companies, places of large assembly, large offices and industrial buildings and transportation facilities.
A bomb threat itself is a terrorist act because it causes disruption of activities.
If a hostage situation develops, contact local law enforcement officials. Police Department 911 or 3578726
What to do during a terrorist incident
1. Contact local law enforcement officials
2. Keep students in their classrooms until law enforcement officials issue instructions
3. Begin evacuation if recommended
What to do after a terrorist incident
1. Do not return to the building until authorized by local emergency officials
2. Establish a Crisis Briefing Program for students and staff
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Emergency Numbers
Seneca Police Department
911 or 357-8726
Seneca Fire Department
911 or 357-8721
Seneca Ambulance
911 or 357-6442
Illinois Central Bus Co.
416-1110
ESDA
433-5622
Regional Superintendent
434-0780
Morris Radio Stations
WCSJ (104.5 FM or 1550 AM)
942-9000
WJDK (103.1 FM)
941-1515
Ottawa Radio Stations
WCMY (1430 AM)
434-2200
WKOT (96.5 FM)
434-4000
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Connect Ed
Connect Ed is a software service that allows users to quickly send and track voice and text
messages to the entire district’s employees and students in minutes. It has replaced the faculty phone
tree as a notification system and contacts student’s homes to notify parents about emergency school
closings or early dismissals. It is used to contact parents concerning an unexcused absence and for
cancellations of sporting events. It is used to notify parents that progress grades are available for their
inspection and of scholarship information from the guidance office.
Lightning Detection System
The District now has a lightning detection system mounted on the roof of the high school which
gives a visual and audible warning when weather conditions could produce lightning. A horn will sound
and strobe light will flash for 15 seconds, which means lightning is possible; all playing and practice fields
should be cleared at that time and everyone should seek shelter. The light will flash until conditions no
longer favor lightning. Three horn blasts will signal the system no longer favor lightning. Three horn
blasts will signal the system no longer detects lightning conditions – or “all clear”. This system operates
from 6:30 AM until 10:30 PM.
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Emergency Backpack Inventory List
1. SHS Faculty Emergency Book
2. Current copies of class lists with noted health concerns (you are responsible for updating each
semester)
3. Clipboard/pen
4. 1 packet Kleenex
5. 1 pair Latex gloves
6. 3 emergency survival blankets
7. 4 feminine pads (use for wound pressure dressings)
8. Hard candy (for diabetics)
9. Micro-mask
10. Duct Tape to seal doors/windows
Please contact the School Nurse promptly to replace any items missing or used.
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