North Evanston Elementary
Crisis Intervention Plan
A crisis is an event that is highly unpredictable and extraordinary in its make-up. Crisis is operationally defined as (a) violent or life-threatening situation, (b) suicide, (c) death of a student or staff member, or (d) a condition that affects the functioning of a significant number of the members of the organization.
A crisis event may impact a school can be described as being extremely negative, uncontrollable, and is sudden and unpredictable (Brock et al., 2009). For students and staff, the crisis event may cause great pain, physical and/or emotional or has the perception of causing both. Threats perceived and/or real are also included in this definition. It may also result in the perception of loss of control.
A crisis event can be organized into five category types:
- Non-Emergency Crisis are events that negatively impact schools and to which schools must respond, but an emergency response is not required. Examples of a Non-Emergency Crisis may include and not limited to real or perceived threats of injury or death to students and staff; death of students or staff members (motor vehicle accidents, medical illnesses; medically related deaths.
- Medical Emergencies are those arising from health conditions as well as unintentional and intentional injuries. The primary responsibility to respond to this type of crisis falls on school administrators, school nurses, and emergency medical personnel. Law enforcement will be involved if a violent act occurs.
- Critical Incidents are events requiring an immediate response by public safety and/or emergency management officials. Examples include school shootings, situations involving hostage and/or weapons, fires, and gas leaks. A critical incident is typically managed by school administration until public safety and/or emergency management officials arrive. These types of crisis involve activation of a school incident command system.
- Emergencies Affecting Schools are events typically no occurring on school property but constituting a threat to the school. Examples of this may include, by are not limited to terrorist attacks, hazardous materials spills, or fugitive being pursued near a school.
- Natural Disasters include floods, tornadoes, earthquakes, and other emergencies arising from natural events.
Crisis teams should be prepared to respond to any one of these crisis events.
(Uinta County School District #1 Crisis Plan, 2013)