Emergency Management Standards and Schools

Although there are no nationally-adopted emergency management standards for schools, the U.S. Department of Education’s Practical Information on Crisis Planning: A Guide for Schools and Communities, provides a four-phase approach to school emergency planning activities, is widely used throughout the country. In addition, many states and local school districts have their own emergency management mandates, policies, and procedures, often based on this guide. Additionallym there are a number of emergency management standards intended for voluntary adoption by emergency response organizations are produced by standards-making organizations such as the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the Organization for the Advancement of Structured Information Standards (OASIS), and ASTM International (formerly the American Society for Testing and Materials). This article annotates and links to relevant standards and guidelines.