How many, and what types of teams should be in a school’s emergency plan? Well, as with so many things, the answer varies because every school population and community is a bit different. However, Chris Joffe of Joffe Emergency Services outlined a list of teams that every school should have in place.

• Command Center Team: This team has oversight of all the other teams and helps orchestrate how they work together.

• Search and Rescue Team: This one is pretty self-explanatory. This team searches and rescues. Okay, it’s entirely self-explanatory.

• First Aid Team: This team treats those students, faculty, staff, etc. brought out by the search and rescue team.

• Long Range Care Team: This team is responsible for feeding, watering, and entertaining the students. As Chris noted, entertaining the kids for an extended period of time can sometimes be the most difficult task of all!

• Attendance Team: This team should take student, staff, visitor, faculty, and vendor attendance to ensure everyone on campus is accounted for.

• Rover Team: This team should rove between the teams, filling in for any absences on other teams, and pick up the slack for those unfamiliar with emergency plans, like substitute teachers.

• Reunification Team: This team should bring everyone back together after the emergency.

These two additional teams below have been added to the general list in the last couple of years.

• Continuity Team: This team is involved in continuity preparation and actually implements that plan. (Watch the webinar below for more on a continuity plan!)

• Counseling Team: This is usually the school counselor or psychologist that helps with initial counseling right after the emergency, but also arranges for follow up as needed.

The important thing is to have teams in place to cover every general need, and if there’s a need or concern specific to your school, have a team in place to cover those needs as well.

You should also consider covering needs for sustenance in the event that you’re stuck at the school. As a rule, Joffe recommends food, water, and supplies for everyone on campus for up to three days. Here’s what that looks like. 

• Kids: 1/2 gallon of water per day, and 1,200-1,500 calories per day, depending on age
• Adults: 1/2 gallon of water per day, and 2,000-2,500 calories per day, based on what their activities will be

The calories can be accounted for with a high caloric intake bar, or a ration that doesn’t have to be heated or hydrated, and can be eaten relatively easily. You don’t want any foods that are going to break teeth or hands when trying to break them down!

For more from Joffe, watch the full webinar now!