U.S. Department of Education Emergency Response and Crisis Management Initiative
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Transcript of U.S. Department of Education Emergency Response and Crisis Management Initiative
U.S. Department of EducationEmergency Response and Crisis Management
Initiative
Upper Darby, Pennsylvania
• Located on the border of West Philadelphia
• 8 square miles with a population of approximately 90,000
• 22 Schools (14 public & 8 non-public)
• 18,000 students total
• 4,000 students in Upper Darby High School
Upper Darby School District Safe Schools
• Long history of safe schools initiatives
• On-going training of administrators and staff
• Regular drills
• Collaboration among safe schools partners
• Several incidents highlighted our need to focus on special needs populations.
Emergency Response and Crisis Management (ERCM) Special Needs Project Goal
To increase the district’s, schools’, and partners’ capacity to effectively respond to students with special needs in an emergency or crisis, most notably special education students and students who do not speak English.
Autistic Support
Program Students with autism have unique needs during drills and emergencies due to their disability.
Professional Meeting
Brainstorming session with principal and teachers
about emergency preparedness and response led
to the following outcomes:• Need for additional items in the Go-Kit. • Identification of need for classroom teacher to
remain with students with autism at all times.
• Need for evacuation site with separate area for Autistic Support Program.
Classroom Go-Kits
Teachers in the Autistic Support Program created
Go-Kits that include the following items:• Headsets • Sensory toys • Snacks• Picture Time Line
Drill Planning Meeting• Lockdown and evacuation drill with bus
transportation planned. • Participants:
-School Crisis Team Members-Upper Darby School District Transportation
Department -Upper Darby School District Senior Safety
Officer-Upper Darby Township Emergency
Management Services-First Responders
Summary of Lockdown & Evacuation Drill
• School-wide lockdown & evacuation to off-site location.
• Go-kits.• Teachers remained with their students.• Bus transportation.• Separate area at evacuation site for Autistic
Support Program.• Students returned to school at the conclusion of
the drill.
Drill Outcome
• All students and staff participated safely in the drill.
• Feedback from first responders about the school’s actions was positive.
• Principal from nearby elementary school observed. Her school is also a potential evacuation site for school. She is better informed.
Preparation made a difference.
Research on Autism & Emergency Response
The following experts were consulted to enhance
our understanding of autism and emergency
response:• Autistic Support Staff• Parent advocates• Autism advocacy organization
Autism & First Responders
• Upper Darby School District purchased training video on autism for Upper Darby Police. They incorporated the video into yearly training program.
• Upper Darby School District provided a 1 hour training on autism & the Autistic Support Program to firefighters and paramedics.
Win-Win
• Upper Darby School District had the opportunity to share some basic information about their students.
• First responders earned training hours and gained a better understanding of what they may encounter when coming to our schools.
Training provided a unique opportunity for dialogue between the school and first responders.
Contact Information
Margie Bates
Upper Darby School District
4611 Bond Avenue
Drexel Hill, PA 19026
Telephone: (610) 789-7200