All Clear

An expert’s guide to creating safety in educational environments and responding correctly when the unthinkable happens In All Clear: Lessons from a Decade Managing School Crises, safety expert Chris Joffe shows district and school leaders how to create safety in school environments and develop a plan for responding effectively in the event of emergency—whether it be from an allergy attack or an active shooter. In our ever-changing educational and cultural landscape, this is a critical resource. A sought-after safety trainer and consultant for schools, Chris draws on decades of experience to guide and empower district and school leaders to prepare for and execute crucial next steps in the wake of a school emergency. The techniques in this book are not just hypothetical. Chris Joffe has a substantive background in emergency and crisis response, and Joffe Emergency Services has been trusted to put preparedness plans into place across U.S. school districts, charter schools, private schools, and global companies. With this book, you’ll learn how to prioritize the health and safety of your students in a way that considers the unique attributes of your school or district. Follow a thoughtful but realistic approach to planning for and responding to emergency situations and recovering from crises Gain the micro-level tools and confidence to help your community stay safer, including emergency response techniques and leadership strategies Address environmental, social, and other barriers to school safety, in partnership with community stakeholders Learn communication strategies that you can use to teach others how to respond in times of crisis, without generating panic All Clear empowers district and school leaders, heads of school, and school security professionals—as well as teachers, parents, and other youth leaders—to create secure learning environments where students can feel safe.

Preface xi Acknowledgments xv Introduction xvii Part I The Crisis Experience 1 1 How We Experience Crises 3 2 Finding Solid Ground When Crisis Emerges 13 3 My Experience with Crisis 27 Part II What All Emergencies Have in Common 37 4 The Common Threads of Emergency Response 39 5 Analyzing Risk 53 6 Preventing Crisis through Relationships 63 7 Organizing Teams, People, and Resources to Respond 73 Part III The Seven Circles: A Framework for Emergency Response and Recovery 105 8 Initiation 107 9 Activation 115 10 Response 137 11 Assessment 149 12 Recovery 163 13 Rebuilding 175 14 Restoration 181 Conclusion: The Obstacles to the Job Are the Job 187 Appendix 193 Index 195