The School Commander, typically the Principal or Administrator-in-Charge, remains in the Command Center and manages the crisis. He or she coordinates the emergency response effort; gives the order to evacuate or lock down the school; coordinates with police, fire and medical teams; maintains contact with headquarters, and ensures necessary notifications to the OIEP Chain of Command.
School First Responders provide emergency First Aid until medical assistance arrives.
These individuals, typically the school nurse, office staff or physical education teachers, should be trained in First Aid and cardio-pulmonary resuscitation and known throughout the school as the first responders before an event happens. In remote areas, training staff in First Aid is particularly critical.
The Site Coordinator directs emergency responders such as police, fire, and paramedics to the site emergency and controls access to the affected areas. If necessary, he or she preserves the crime scene until police arrive and assume control. The Site Coordinator may also direct media, parents, and central office personnel to the appropriate locations and cordon off areas, as necessary. The Site Coordinator must know the emergency site map thoroughly and carry it with him or her.
The Parent Coordinator assists parents who come to the school, keeps parents briefed on the situation. A separate waiting area for parents of involved children should be designated.
The Crisis Team Leader coordinates crisis intervention and counseling services to help students and staff cope with the trauma.
The Recorder documents the time and events of a crisis, beginning with when the event started and when changes in the situation occurred. The Recorder records the names of responding units and the support staff, collecting business cards, if available. After the evacuation, the Recorder should visit each teacher and determine if any teachers need assistance in notifying the School Commander, emergency responders, and the Parent
Coordinator of children who are missing.

If necessary, the Transportation Coordinator arranges for any special transportation needs arising from the incident.

The Media Coordinator arranges for a media staging area away from the incident area, keeps media away from parents and students and, if time permits, collects business cards from members of the media. As necessary, the Media Coordinator informs the agency’s Public Affairs Office for the Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs of what media is present. Typically, the Media Coordinator does not give interviews to the media.
Teachers maintain supervision of their classes and take attendance every time their classes move to a new location. Attendance books must accompany a teacher whenever the classroom is evacuated. A list of missing students should be made any time roll call is taken and the possible locations of students should be noted. Teachers should notify the Principal or designated personnel immediately if any students are missing. Because teachers must stay with their classroom, arrangements should be made in advance to determine how this communication will be made. The Recorder can assist in this process.
In the event of an evacuation, pre-designated staff should be assigned to individuals with physical disabilities to assist, as described in the evacuation plan. Staff must be knowledgeable about each student’s special needs, particularly in respect to special equipment and medications. Alternative staff members should be predesignated in case an assigned staff member is absent during an emergency.
In 2003, President Bush issued
, which required the implementation of a National Incident Management System (NIMS). A comprehensive national approach to managing a wide variety of emergency incidents, NIMS is designed to improve coordination among public and private entities during emergency incidents. Key components address establishing an incident command structure, managing communications, and managing information and resources. More information is available at: http://www.fema.gov/emergency/nims/index.shtm