Submitted by Laura Collins, Oct 10, 2007 13:31

The General Accounting Office [GAO] has just released an extensive study of the emergency management capabilities of the nation's public schools, "EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

Status of School Districts' Planning and Preparedness".

The report found serious problems with schools primarily in the areas of training and testing of staff;

· Schools with emergency plans: 27% have never trained with first responders, as the government recommends; only 29% train with "community partners" such as hospitals and municipalities.

· Half of districts don't have plans for continuing to educate students in the event of a lengthy school closure.

· 62% cite "a lack of equipment and expertise".

· 70% say competing priorities, such as academic demands, supersede emergency planning.

The study also found that a lack of proper locks on doors, effective two way radios and cell phones used by students contributed to many of the these problems.

The study also found that urban and rural schools had equal problems with emergency management.

An estimated 62 percent of districts, officials identified challenges stemming from a lack of equipment, training for staff, and personnel with expertise in the area of emergency planning as obstacles to implementing recommended practices.

A well managed school is a safe school! SERAPH.net

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