Crisis management planning is part of our ongoing commitment to provide a safe and secure learning environment. Each of our schools share a common crisis management template that is based on the protocols described in the National Incident Management System (NIMS). The district enjoys great relationships with our local Law Enforcement Agencies and other supporting 1st Responder agencies.

 

In an effort to stay in tune with the latest best practices, and to ingrain these practices into our crisis management strategy, we applied for the Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools (REMS) grant. As this is a competitive, nationwide grant application process, I’m pleased to report our district is the only recipient in Colorado this year, and received the largest allocation in the nation. Through this grant, we will conduct school safety and vulnerability assessments in order to individualize our crisis management template to the highest risks faced by particular schools. Once those risks are clearly identified and understood, schools can focus their training of staff and students to mitigate those risks. In addition, our staffs who will be called in to manage crisis situations when they occur, will complete several courses recommended by FEMA and the National Incident Management System.

 

The grant also provides us an opportunity to strengthen our student and parent training, along with opportunities to involve our response agencies in our training and planning processes.

 

Special thanks to Bee Valacek, BVSD Grants Administrator, and Steve Hoban, BVSD Director of Security, Operations and Environmental Services, for getting this REMS grant for the district.