Crisis Response Protocol
A safe learning environment for all students is the top priority of the Ann Arbor Public Schools. Assessment, planning, development of protocols, training and evaluation are key components of ensuring that a student's education will not be disrupted by any safety concerns and that staff are properly trained to respond to any emergency situations.
Emergency and Crisis Response
When a traumatic event or crisis occurs within the Ann Arbor Public Schools, the district provides planned, specific intervention. The district does its utmost to be prepared to meet the needs of affected individuals during the time of crisis. Every staff member has the potential to perform a task or take a role in the management of a crisis situation. The district has protocols to serve as the guide to the response roles of staff. Training and evaluations are an important part of the response protocol.
The district has crisis team members who report to schools which need additional support ranging from communications, mental health and administration support to take the weight off the school which experienced the emergency.
Procedures and Protocols
The district has thorough procedures in place for school emergencies including emergency response, crisis support and Medical Emergency Alert Teams (MERT) in every school.
Raptor Alert
The Ann Arbor Public Schools utilizes the Raptor Alert system to notify and communicate with staff and administration during an emergency. The emergency may require evacuation, lockdown, lockout, severe weather or a hold in the school.
Raptor Alert allows for a quick notification using a “button” associated with five alerts:
ALICE
All Washtenaw County Public Schools use the ALICE protocol for emergency response. Staff are trained by AAPS and local law enforcement on this protocol that always updates to reflect lessons-learned of current school-related emergency events. A description of this protocol is below.
Lockdown/A.L.I.C.E. Protocols
• When to use- If a person(s) has entered the building and is an immediate threat. For ex: an armed person.
• Action to be taken - Immediately follow A.L.I.C.E protocols (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate).
• Who Can initiate- Anyone can initiate a “Lockdown/A.L.I.C.E. Alert” if there is an immediate threat to life.
Lockout
• When to use- If a person(s) is outside of the building and may present a threat but is unrelated to the school. For example: law enforcement is addressing a robbery at a bank close to the school.
• Action to be taken- Secure the school and continue normal school day. No one exits or enters the school.
• Who Can initiate-The administrator will initiate a “Lockout Alert”.
Evacuate
• When to use -This alert is used for an incident such as a fire, gas leak, chemical spill, etc.
• Action To Be Taken - Evacuate the location immediately.
• Who Can Initiate - Usually an administrator will initiate this alert.
Shelter in Place/Severe Weather
• When to use -This alert is used for incidents such as: Severe Weather
• Action To Be Taken - Staff and students must go to their designated severe weather shelter area
• Who Can Initiate - An administrator will initiate this alert
Hold
• When to use - This alert is used when students need to remain in the classroom, for example a medical emergency.
• Action To Be Taken- Keep the students in the classroom until all clear and continue the instructional day.
• Who Can Initiate- An administrator will initiate this alert.
The Raptor Alert app allows for school staff to account for all students during drills and emergency incidents. Class rosters are uploaded every 24 hours to reflect current student attendance.
The Raptor Alert app contains critical incident maps for each school available to all staff at their assigned school.
The Raptor Alert app allows for staff to communicate via text to staff during an emergency.
The Raptor Alert app also allows for 911 calls to the county dispatch.
The Raptor Alert app also connects to the Raptor Visitor Management platform that AAPS uses to provide names and locations of visitors in a school during an emergency situation for accountability.
The Raptor Alert app provides for accurate student reunification following an emergency evacuation.
Medical Emergency Response Teams (MERT)
Each school has a trained MERT team to respond to any medical emergency including trauma and CPR needs. These volunteers are trained in medical response and serve school when notified via a PA announcement or via the Raptor app. Every classroom and office has red emergency bags that contain basic first aid supplies as well as trauma bags which include additional medical supplies including Stop the Bleed kits.
911
911 calls are made immediately either via cell, landline or the Raptor app for emergency situations.Under the AAPS procedures 911 is the first action to be taken (if appropriate) after the initial assessment.
Local Law Enforcement Coordination
The district has a very close relationship with local and regional law enforcement and emergency managers that provide police, fire and EMS services. We jointly plan and participate in emergency response exercises. The Ann Arbor Police Department and Ann Arbor Fire Department, Pittsfield Township Public Safety and the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Department all partner with AAPS.
Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM)
AAPS has a trained CISM team who assist after an emergency situation in a school for staff, students and families. CISM is a system of crisis intervention to help people cope with trauma and provide important resources for continued support.
School Nurses
All AAPS nurses are RNs and are required to obtain a School Nurse Certification form the Michigan Department of Education. There are three levels of certification the State Board of Education requires: interim, standard and professional. School nurses are required to continue their education to the “professional” level of certification as well as continue professional development to maintain Michigan licensure. Nurses in the district meet monthly to collaborate and increase their skills in order to promote health and safety and respond to nurses needs. The three comprehensive high schools all have a full time nurse on staff due to their student enrollment. All other AAPS schools have rotating nurses assigned to them.
The Ann Arbor Public Schools takes emergency readiness very seriously. The protocols that have been implemented are meant to prepare staff to assess the incident and respond to an emergency situation in a timely manner with support from local emergency responders.