Preparedness Resources

American Association on Health and Disability
The American Association on Health and Disability (AAHD) has actively participated in the emergency preparedness and disaster response field for people with disabilities.  AAHD and its partners have developed several publications on emergency preparedness and disaster response for people with disabilities. 
Accessible at http://www.aahd.us/page.php?pname=health/initiatives/emergency

American Red Cross
The American Red Cross provides relief to victims of disaster and help people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies. They provide a variety of resource to help individuals and organizations (including schools) prepare and train for emergencies.
Accessible at http://www.redcross.org/

Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS)
The COPS Office was created through the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994. As a component of the Justice Department, the mission of the COPS Office is to advance the practice of community policing as an effective strategy to improve public safety.  By addressing the root causes of criminal and disorderly behavior, rather than simply responding to crimes once they have been committed, community policing concentrates on preventing both crime and the atmosphere of fear it creates. The COPS website provides links to information on community policing topics (including school safety) and a resource information center.
Accessible at http://www.cops.usdoj.gov/Default.asp?Item=34

 Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) “School Safety Guides and Reports CD-ROM”
The COPS Office created a CD-Rom composed of more than 30 COPS Office and other U.S. Department of Justice agency links and documents related to youth violence, gangs, bullying, and drugs, and safety. The CD-Rom is divided into three categories: COPS School Safety and Youth Violence Publications, Government Publications and School Safety Related Documents and Resources. The “School Safety Guides and Reports CD-ROM” provides school emergency management teams and their community partners with tools for collaboratively preparing for and responding to crises.
Accessible at: http://www.cops.usdoj.gov/html/cd_rom/school_safety/index.htm

Federal Emergency Management (FEMA) 
Through the web site, “Individuals with Special Needs", FEMA provides information on assisting people with disabilities during an emergency or natural disaster. The web site presents guidelines for providing assistance and preparing an emergency plan.
Accessible at: http://www.fema.gov/plan/prepare/specialplans.shtm

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for Kids
FEMA has created a Web site on emergency preparedness specifically for children. The Web site, FEMA for Kids, teaches children how to prepare for disasters and prevent harm from disasters. Kids can play games, read stories and learn about what causes disasters.
Accessible at: http://www.fema.gov/kids/

FEMA Resources for Parents and Teachers
FEMA has created a Web site tailored to meet the needs of parents and teachers as they support students in their preparedness and coping efforts. The Web site provides caregivers with safety information, a curriculum and learning activities appropriate for the home or classroom. Accessible at: http://www.fema.gov/kids/teacher.htm

Guidance for Filtration and Air-Cleaning Systems to Protect Building Environments from Airborne Chemical, Biological or Radiological AttacksThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention created a guide schools may use reinstate and maintain healthy filtration and air-cleaning systems. The guide will help schools to ensure a healthy ventilation system before and after disasters.
Accessible at: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2003-136/

Guide to Developing a Severe Weather Emergency Plan for Schools
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) created this guide to assist school administrators and teachers with developing safety plans during thunderstorms and their accompanying hazards of lightening, hail, tornadoes and flash floods. Information on designing and practicing the plan, recognizing the approach of severe weather and school bus safety are provided.
Accessible at: http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/lwx/swep/swep.pdf

Justice Technology Information Network’s (JUSTNET)
JUSTNET is part of the National Institute of Justice's National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center. JUSTNET offers links to information regarding the development of school safety plans.
Accessible at: http://www.justnet.org/Pages/home.aspx

Kentucky Center for School Safety’s Emergency Management Guide
The Kentucky Center for School Safety created the school-based Emergency Management Guide as a broad support for preventing, planning for and responding to a variety of emergencies at school. The guide provides step-by-step guidance and resources for developing school crisis plans. From multi-hazard to threat specific, the guide supports an all-hazards approach complete with a comprehensive section regarding trauma and recovery.
Accessible at: http://www.kycss.org/clear/EMGpage.html

Multi-Hazard Emergency Planning for Schools (IS 362)
IS-362 is part of The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) On-line Independent Study Program presented by the Emergency Management Institute. IS-362 is a three hour, web-based course addressing the four phases of crisis planning using a multi-hazard approach that has been tailored to the school community. Specifically, it addresses hazard assessment, plan development, emergency management operations and the necessary roles and responsibilities to be represented on a school crisis team. School district and school-based professionals with key roles and responsibilities in emergency management should take this course as an introduction to their team’s crisis management activities.
Accessible at: http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/is362a.asp

National Organization on Disability’s (NOD) 
The National Organization on Disability (NOD) has resources on the key concerns and needs faced by people with disabilities during a crisis.
Accessible at:  http://nod.org/research_publications/emergency_preparedness_materials/for_people_with_disabilities/

Office of Safe and Drug Free Schools Emergency Planning Website
This website provides information that can help school leaders plan for any emergency, including natural disasters, violent incidents and terrorist acts.  Accessible at http://www.ed.gov/admins/lead/safety/emergencyplan/index.html

Ready America’s Supply Checklists
Presented by Ready America, part of Ready.gov, these checklists include supplies for such basic needs as food, clean air and first aid. Special checklists are also available for portable kits and for people with special needs.
Accessible at: http://www.ready.gov/build-a-kit

Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools Technical Assistance CenterA primary service coordinated by the Center is providing responses to emergency planning questions and technical assistance needs. Requests for assistance could range from samples of emergency plans; strategies and materials to help with staff trainings; tips for creating buy-in with stakeholders; and/or help evaluating REMS plans. Center staff collaborate with a network of local and national crisis planning experts to provide answers to REMS-related questions and to meet any specific technical assistance needs. In addition, the Center publishes a variety of newsletters on specific topics (REMS Express, Helpful Hints, Lessons Learned). Information on NIMS training for schools is also on this website. Links are available to a comprehensive list of resources. Accessible at http://rems.ed.gov/index.cfm