The Irvine Unified School District has a number of specific protocols and procedures to assist in its emergency response. Whether the situation involves a seismic event, terrorism, fire or a stranger on campus, it is the intent of IUSD to:
Take effective action to minimize injuries and loss of life
Utilize school personnel and facilities to care for victims
Provide maximum security for students and employees
Provide a safe and calm environment for students
Protect and preserve school property
Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS)
IUSD has adopted the Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS) as part of its emergency plans and procedures. By utilizing the SEMS model, our schools and district sites are aligned with the practices of other response agencies, improving their ability to assist.
In the event of an emergency situation during the school day, here are some important points to remember:
We maintain responsibility for our students. Campuses in the Irvine Unified School District will be secured and students will be kept at school until they can safely be released to parents or authorized guardians through an established reunification process.
Staff will remain on campus. Employees are expected to have personal disaster plans for their homes and families so that they can carry out their school disaster responsibilities.
Personnel will be trained. District staff members receive training in SEMS procedures and are provided opportunities for development of necessary skills, including rescue and first aid.
We prepare to be self-sufficient. Though IUSD works closely with the Irvine Police Department, the Orange County Fire Authority and other agencies, it may be necessary to coordinate our own response efforts if emergency personnel are tending to more immediate needs. IUSD staff members have therefore been assigned specific roles and responsibilities, which are practiced during drills throughout the year.
All IUSD schools and departments review and update their disaster plans annually and submit a copy to the Facilities, Operations and Planning department at the beginning of each school year. The district's emergency response capabilities are in compliance with all local, state and federal statutes and requirements.
What you can do
Create an emergency communications plan
Choose an out-of-town contact your family or household will call or email to check on each other should a disaster occur. Your contact should live far enough away that they would be unlikely to be directly affected by the same event, and they should know they are the chosen contact. Make sure every household member has that contact's email addresses and telephone numbers. Leave these contact numbers at your children's schools. Your family should know that if telephones are not working, they need to be patient and try again later or try email.
Establish a meeting place
Having a predetermined meeting place away from your home will save time and minimize confusion should your home be affected or the area evacuated. You may even want to make arrangements to stay with a family member or friend in case of an emergency. Be sure to include any pets in these plans, since pets are not permitted in shelters and some hotels will not accept them.
Assembly a disaster supplies kit
If you need to evacuate your home or are asked to "shelter in place," having some essential supplies on hand will make you and your family more comfortable:
1. Prepare a disaster supplies kit in an easy-to-carry container.
2. Include "special needs" items for any household member (infant formula or items for people with disabilities or older people), first aid supplies (including prescription medications), a change of clothing for each person, a sleeping bag or bedroll for each, a battery powered radio or television and extra batteries, food, bottled water and tools.
3. It is also a good idea to include some cash and copies of important family documents (birth certificates, passports and licenses) in your kit.
Know the emergency plan at your child's school
You need to know that your children will be kept at school until a parent or designated adult can pick them up or send them home on their own. Be sure that the school has updated information about how to reach parents and responsible caregivers to arrange for pick-up. During times of emergency the school telephones may be overwhelmed with calls.
If disaster strikes
Remain calm and be patient.
Follow the advice of local emergency officials.
Listen to your radio/television for news and instructions.
If the disaster occurs near you, check for injuries. Give first aid and get help for seriously injured people.
If the disaster occurs near your home while you are there, check for damage using a flashlight. Do not light matches or candles or turn on electrical switches. Check for fires, fire hazards and other household hazards. Sniff for gas leaks, starting at the water heater. If you smell gas or suspect a leak, turn off the main gas valve, open windows, and get everyone outside quickly.
Shut off any other damaged utilities.
Confine or secure your pets.
Call your family contact--do not use the telephone again unless it is a life-threatening emergency.
Check on your neighbors, especially those living alone, elderly or disabled.
As we learned from the events of Sept. 11, 2001, the following may happen after a terrorist attack:
There can be significant numbers of casualties and/or damage to buildings and the infrastructure.
Heavy law enforcement involvement at local, state and federal levels follows a terrorist attack due to the event's criminal nature.
Health and mental health resources in the affected communities can be strained to their limits, maybe even overwhelmed.
Extensive media coverage, strong public fear and international implications and consequences can continue for a prolonged period.
Workplaces and schools may be closed, and there may be restrictions on domestic and international travel.
You and your family or household may have to evacuate your area, avoiding roads blocked for your safety.
Clean-up may take many months.
Evacuation
If local authorities ask you to leave your home, they have a good reason to make this request, and you should heed the advice immediately. Listen to your radio or TV, follow the instructions of the local emergency officials and keep these simple tips in mind:
Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants and sturdy shoes so you can be protected as much as possible.
Take your disaster supplies kit.
Take your pets with you.
Lock your home.
Use travel routes specified by local authorities.
Stay away from downed power lines.
Local authorities will provide you with the most accurate information specific to an event in your area.
Additional resources
If you have questions or would like additional information, call (949) 936-5267 or check out these websites:
