As in effect on May 1, 2008
A. "Emergency" means a natural or man-made disaster, accident, act of war, or other circumstance which could reasonably endanger the safety of school children or disrupt the operation of the school.
B. "Emergency Preparedness Plan" means policies and procedures developed to promote the safety and welfare of students, protect district property, or regulate the operation of schools during an emergency occurring within a district or a school.
C. "Board" means the Utah State Board of Education.
D. "Emergency Response Plan" means a plan developed by a school district or school to prepare and protect students and staff in the event of school violence emergencies.
A. This rule is authorized under Utah Constitution Article X Section 3 which vests general control and supervision of public education in the Board, Section 53A-1-401(3) which allows the Board to adopt rules in accordance with its responsibilities and Section 53A-1-402(1)(b) directs the Board to adopt rules for student health and safety.
B. The purpose of this rule is to establish general criteria for both Emergency Preparedness and Emergency Response plans required of schools and districts in the event of natural disasters or school violence emergencies. This rule also directs school districts to develop prevention, intervention, and response measures and to prepare staff and students to respond promptly and appropriately to school violence emergencies.
A. By July 1 of each year, each local board of education shall certify to the Board that its plan has been practiced at the school level, presented to and reviewed by its teachers, administrators, students and their parents, local law enforcement, and public safety representatives consistent with Section 53A-3-402(18).
B. As a part of a local board of education's annual application for Safe and Drug Free School funds, the local board shall reference its Emergency Response plan.
C. The plan(s) shall be designed to meet individual school needs and features. A district may direct schools within the district to develop and implement individual plans.
D. The local board shall appoint a committee to prepare plan(s) or modify existing plan(s) to satisfy this rule. The committee shall consist of appropriate school and community representatives which may include school and district administrators, teachers, parents, community and municipal governmental officers, and fire and law enforcement personnel. Governmental agencies and bodies vested with responsibility for directing and coordinating emergency services on local and state levels shall be included on the committee.
E. The local board shall appoint appropriate persons at least once every three years to review the plan(s).
F. The Board shall develop Emergency Response plan models under Section 53A-3-402(17)(d).
A. A copy of the plan(s) for each school within a district shall be filed in the district superintendent's office.
B. At the beginning of each school year, parents and staff shall receive a written notice of relevant sections of district and school plans which are applicable to that school.
C. Each school shall designate an Emergency Preparedness/Emergency Response week prior to April 30 of each school year. Community, student, teacher awareness, training, or inservice, such as those outlined in R277-400-7 and 8, would be appropriate activities offered during the week.
The plan shall contain measures which assure that, during an emergency, school children receive reasonably adequate educational services and supervision during school hours.
A. Evacuation procedures shall assure reasonable care and supervision of children until responsibility has been affirmatively assumed by another responsible party.
B. Release of a child below ninth grade at other than regularly scheduled hours is prohibited unless the parent or another responsible person has been notified and has assumed responsibility for the child. An older child may be released without such notification if a school official determines that the child is reasonably responsible and notification is not practicable.
C. School districts shall, to the extent reasonably possible, provide educational services to school children whose regular school program has been disrupted by an extended emergency.
The plan shall contain measures which assure that school children receive emergency preparedness training.
A. School children shall be provided with training appropriate to their ages in rescue techniques, first aid, safety measures appropriate for specific emergencies, and other emergency skills.
B. Fire drills:
(1) During each school year, elementary schools shall conduct fire drills at least once each month during school sessions. A fire drill in secondary schools shall be conducted at least every two months, for a total of four fire drills during the nine month school year. The first fire drill shall be conducted within the first two weeks of the school year for both elementary and secondary schools. An exception may be made, subject to the approval of the local fire chief, to postpone a fire drill due to severe weather conditions.
(2) Fire drills shall include the complete evacuation of all persons from the school building or portion thereof used for educational purposes. An exception may be made for the staff member responsible for notifying the local fire department and handling emergency communications.
(3) When required by the local fire chief, the local fire department shall be notified prior to each drill.
(4) When a fire alarm system is provided, fire drills shall be initiated by activation of the fire alarm system.
C. Schools shall hold at least one drill for other emergencies during the school year.
D. Resources and materials available for training shall be identified in the plan.
A. Each district shall provide an annual inservice for district and school building staff on employees roles, responsibilities and priorities in the emergency response plan.
B. Districts shall require schools to conduct at least one annual drill for school violence emergencies.
C. Districts shall require schools to review existing security measures and procedures within their schools and make adjustments as needs demonstrate and funds are available.
D. Districts shall develop standards and protections to the extent practicable for participants and attendees at school-related activities, with special attention to those off school property.
E. Districts and schools shall coordinate with local law enforcement and other public safety representatives in appropriate drills for school safety emergencies.
A. Districts shall provide schools, as part of their regular curriculum, comprehensive violence prevention and intervention strategies such as resource lessons and materials on anger management, conflict resolution, and respect for diversity and other cultures.
B. Districts shall also develop, to the extent resources permit, student assistance programs such as care teams, school intervention programs, and interagency case management teams.
C. In developing student assistance programs, districts are encouraged to coordinate with and seek support from other state agencies and the Utah State Office of Education.
A. As appropriate, a local board may enter into cooperative agreements with other governmental entities to assure proper coordination and support during emergencies.
B. A school district shall cooperate with other governmental entities, as reasonably feasible, to provide emergency relief services. The plan(s) shall contain procedures for assessing and providing district facilities, equipment, and personnel to meet public emergency needs.
C. The plan(s) shall delineate communication channels and lines of authority within the district, city, county, and state.
(1) the Board, through its superintendent, is the chief officer for emergencies involving more than one district or state or federal aid;
(2) the local board, through its superintendent, is the chief officer for district emergencies;
(3) direction and control of emergency operations shall be exercised by the executive heads of government and school districts. Local governments and school districts retain their autonomy and identity throughout all levels of emergency operations;
(4) personnel and resources received from outside sources shall be incorporated into the structure of the local government and school district.
The plan(s) shall address procedures for recording district funds expected for emergencies, for assessing and repairing damage, and for seeking reimbursement for emergency expenditures.
emergency preparedness, disasters, safety, safety education
August 1, 2000
September 6, 2007
Art X Sec 3; 53A-1-401(3); 53A-1-402(1)(b)
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