Four questions, if asked and answered efficiently, will give you the threads of
information you need to weave a strategy and implement your response:
- What happened?
- How bad is it?
- What is being done?
- What is the potential for escalation?
As the crisis unfolds, minimize the ongoing danger, ensure the health and safety of
everyone in the school, strive to maintain a state of ‘deliberate calm,’ listen carefully
as information comes in, then balance decisiveness, flexibility, persuasiveness and
action. Keep track of unfolding events by keeping notes.
Define the Crisis
Is there any continuing danger?
- Take action to protect anyone from harm.
- Provide immediate first aid.
Is there access/direction for any emergency vehicles en route?
- Provide direction and assistance for arriving emergency vehicles
What information requires further verification and assessment?
- Confirm information from eyewitnesses; sort rumour from facts.
What further communications need to be received?
- Have you heard from those directly involved?
Intervention/Containment Plan
Is the area secure? (i.e. evidence required, area cordoned off, etc.)
- Who can you put in place until police/fire/ambulance arrive?
What can be done to prevent this situation from getting worse?
- Seek to put measures in place which will de-escalate the situation.
Seek Support
What immediate legal or regulatory compliance issues need to be addressed?
- Seek information and assistance from your superintendent.
Who needs to be notified immediately to provide assistance?
- Follow district school board’s notification protocol.
What internal or external support personnel need to be contacted immediately
for assistance?
- Board call centre ___________________________________
- Health & Safety ___________________________________
- Communications department ___________________________________
- Public affairs ___________________________________
- Safe Schools ___________________________________
- Police service/local division ___________________________________
- Street crime ___________________________________
- Crisis response team: social work __________________________________
- Crisis response team: psychology __________________________________
- Public health ___________________________________
- Local hospital ___________________________________
Communication Plan
Do individual parents need to be notified immediately?
- Notify parents of students involved, if student under 18 years of age
Are the media calling for information or enroute to the school?
- Call communications and public affairs for assistance and support.
What messages should be provided to those who call?
- Develop and convey a consistent message to outside callers.
- Use school phone answering system to assist in conveying messages.
Is there a phone tree system in place to contact parents?
(Source: Toronto District School Board)