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Emergency Protocols

Standard response protocol symbols and names: hold, secure, lockdown, evacuate, shelter

Standard Response Protocol

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Student Safety

Creating a safer school climate for our students is a priority. A critical ingredient in creating a safer school environment is classroom response to an incident at school. Weather events, fire, accidents, intruders, and other threats to student safety are scenarios that are planned and trained for by students, teachers, staff, and administration, in partnership with our first responders. 

Grants Pass School District uses the Standard Response Protocol (SRP) from the I Love You Guys Foundation.

Standard Response Protocol (SRP)

The SRP is not based on one individual possible scenario but on the response to any given scenario.  One large benefit of the SRP is the standard language used by all responders; this includes students, parents, staff, and first responders. The protocol also allows for a predictable series of actions as an event unfolds.

The SRP is based upon five actions: HOLD, SECURE, LOCKDOWN, EVACUATE, and SHELTER. Each has specific staff and student directives that are unique to the action.

During any of the scenarios listed below, we ask that you do not call or go to the school. Doing so could put you or others in danger. Do not call or text the student’s cell phone. This may put them in danger. The District will communicate with you once we have more information to share. Reliable information and updates can be viewed on the school and District webpages.  If further action is needed on the part of parents and guardians, the District will communicate that information with instructions through ParentSquare (our mass notification system) and the District website.

HOLD

Hold
“In Your Classroom or Area”

Hold is called when students and staff need to keep hallways clear. Example: Individual is having a medical emergency, a spill or bloodborne pathogen is being cleaned-up.

  • Students are trained to:
    • Clear the hallways and remain in their area or room until the “All Clear” is announced
    • Do business as usual
  • Adults and staff are trained to: 
    • Close and lock the door
    • Account for students and adults
    • Do business as usual

 

 SECURE

SECURE
"Get Inside, Lock outside doors"

Secure is called when there is something dangerous outside of the building. Example: wild animal, nearby police investigation, etc.

  • Students are trained to:
    • Return to the inside of the building

    • Business as usual

  • Adults and staff are trained to:

    • Bring everyone indoors

    • Lock the outside doors

    • Increase situational awareness

    • Account for students and adults

    • Business as usual

 

 

 LOCKDOWN

lockdown
"locks, lights, out of sight"

A lockdown is only initiated when there is an active threat inside or very close to the building.

  • Students are trained to:

    • Move away from sight

    • Maintain silence

    • Do not open the door

  • Adults and staff are trained to:

    • Recover students from hallway if possible

    • Lock the classroom door

    • Turn out the lights

    • Move away from sight

    • Maintain silence

    • Do not open the door

    • Prepare to evade or defend

 

 evacuate

evacuate
"to a location"

  • Students are trained to:

    • Leave stuff behind if required to

    • If possible, bring their phone

    • Follow instructions

  • Adults and staff are trained to:

    • Bring roll sheet and Go Bag (unless instructed not to bring anything with them, dependent on the reason for evacuation)

    • Lead students to the Evacuation location

    • Account for students and adults

    • Report injuries or problems using Red Card/Green Card method

 

 evacuate

shelter
"state hazard and safety strategy"

  • Hazards might include:
    • Tornado
    • Hazmat
    • Earthquake
    • Tsunami
  • Safety strategies might include:

    • Evacuate to the shelter area

    • Seal the room

    • Drop, cover and hold

    • Get to high ground

  • Students are trained in:

    • Appropriate Hazards and Safety Strategies

  • Adults and staff are trained to:

    • Appropriate Hazards and Safety Strategies

    • Accounting for students and adults

    • Report injuries or problems using Red Card/Green Card method

Student and Parent Reunification

Events may occur at school that require parents to pick up their students in a controlled release. The process of controlled release is called a reunification and may be necessary due to weather, a power outage, a hazmat issue, or if a crisis occurs at the school.

The Grants Pass School District will work collaboratively with local law enforcement (Grants Pass Police Department) and other community agencies. 

Student and Parent Reunification is a protocol that makes this process more predictable and less chaotic for all involved. Because a controlled release is not a typical end-of-school day event, a reunification may occur at a different location than the school a student attends. If this location is another school, then those students may be subject to a controlled release as well.

Notification of a Student and Parent Reunification

Parents will be notified through ParentSquare and other potential means including phone, text, email, etc.