Recent Discussions in the Community of Practice (CoP)

Introduce Yourself to the Community

Are you a new member of the CoP? Take a moment this month to share details about your role and experience in the field via this forum. You can also get to know other community members by reading descriptions of others who have joined. Access details here: https://rems.ed.gov/COP/REMSCOPforum/topics.aspx?ForumID=131.

Do you know a colleague who may benefit from joining the CoP? Forward a copy of this digest and encourage them to join the CoP here: https://rems.ed.gov/COP/Account/Register.aspx.

School and Campus Safety Questions of the Month

In 2018, the REMS TA Center launched a new monthly campaign via the CoP in an effort to glean information from the field about key topics in school and higher ed safety and emergency preparedness. Each month, we post a new question for our CoP members representing both K-12 and higher ed audiences. Find a list of the questions posted thus far below:

  • January: What community partners would you turn to if you needed volunteers to support your school or campus during or after an emergency?
     
  • February: What training do you provide to school bus drivers or campus shuttle bus drivers on responding to emergencies? Do you provide ongoing professional development opportunities for them to learn more about emerging safety, security, and emergency management issues?
     
  • March: Does your school, school district, or campus receive funding from nongovernmental sources such as philanthropy, foundations, NGOs, and fundraising programs, to support safety and emergency management? What are your other sources of funding support for preparedness (e.g., training and exercises hosted by community partners)?
     
  • April: What mass notification system does your agency use?
     

Answer the school safety questions here:
https://rems.ed.gov/COP/REMSCOPforum/topics.aspx?ForumID=132.

Answer the campus safety questions here:
https://rems.ed.gov/COP/REMSCOPforum/topics.aspx?ForumID=133.

Food Safety and Security Post-Webinar Web Chat

On April 5, REMS TA Center staff added a new forum to host a Web chat that we conducted to supplement our Food Safety and School Emergencies Webinar. During the Web chat, Webinar presenters answered follow-up questions from participants on topics including current threats to the food supply and getting buy-in from leadership to understand importance of safe food practices. Access details here: https://rems.ed.gov/COP/REMSCOPforum/messages.aspx?TopicID=391#post980.

School Preparedness Leadership Group

REMS TA Center staff created this forum in January to supplement monthly virtual meetings that we host with Federal, state, territorial, and local leaders in school safety and emergency preparedness. Are you a member of the School Preparedness Leadership Group? Share resources that local education agencies can access on key topics. Do you represent a local education agency? Check this forum regularly to access key resources and information from the REMS TA Center and Federal, state, territorial, local leaders, and experts on key school safety and emergency preparedness topics. Access details here: https://rems.ed.gov/COP/REMSCOPforum/topics.aspx?ForumID=136.

#REMSonTheRoad Trainings by Request

Have you attended a recent training hosted by the REMS TA Center? Log on to the CoP today and add a post to the general #REMSonTheRoad | Share Your Experiences Forum and/or to any of the individual forums we’ve created for your specific training. To find your training, log on to the CoP, click K-12 Public Forums or IHE Public Forums, select the appropriate #REMSonTheRoad training type (K-12 101, Threat Assessments, Resilience Strategies and Earthquake Preparedness), and then search for your related training date and location. Once you’ve located the proper forum, click Add Reply to start sharing! We use your feedback and insight to ensure that our trainings meet your state and local needs. Share feedback, post state-based resources, and ask preliminary and/or follow-up questions about your training there! https://rems.ed.gov/COP/REMSCOPforum/default.aspx

Top Tweets from @remstacenter

  • Spring begins this month! #Schools, are you prepared for spring weather hazards such as floods? Get resources to help you prepare: https://rems.ed.gov/Resources_Hazards_Threats_Natural_Hazards.aspx
     
  • We're traveling to several states this month to train on key topics in #schoolsafety and #emergency #preparedness, including earthquake preparedness, emergency ops plan development and #K12ThreatAssessment. Check out our #REMSonTheRoad Calendar to see if we'll be in your state! pic.twitter.com/YfbYn5AcuQ
     
  • #Schools, check out this fact sheet from @StopBullyingGov that discusses bullying as an adverse childhood experience (ACE), its impacts on health, and actions schools can take to reduce ACEs and prevent bullying #Bullying #SchoolSafety
     
  • If your #school is having a power outage during or after a storm, check out these important tips from @Readygov: ready.gov/power-outages
     
  • Happy #SchoolBusDriversDay! School bus drivers play a crucial role in emergency management on school buses and in keeping students safe. Find resources to help with emergency planning on school transportation here: https://t.co/bahIDMRuZP
     
  • Awesome work @Mizzou! We love to see #highered engaged in preparedness. For more information and resources on preparing for tornadoes and other natural hazards, visit our Web page: https://rems.ed.gov/Resources_Hazards_Threats_Natural_Hazards.aspx #TornadoDrill https://twitter.com/Mizzou/status/971056155614240773
     
  • @HuronHighA2 @massp Great program! TY for sharing! Events like this one help promote a positive #schoolclimate & provide chances for #EdLeaders to find #schoolsafety leaders among youth in their school communities. #youthpreparedness #mentalhealth @nasponline @NASBE @CCSSO https://rems.ed.gov/COP/Default.aspx pic.twitter.com/vIkzXyJ37c
     
  • #Schools, learn more about Teen CERT with our Webinar: https://rems.ed.gov/TeenCertEnhancingSchoolEmergMgrment.aspx …. Teen CERT engages youth in emergency preparedness and is a great way for students to get involved with their #WholeSchoolCommunity https://twitter.com/PrepareAthon/status/978357923394048001
     
  • Regular emergency exercises, such as drills:
    • Promote #school & community preparedness;
    • Develop relationships w/ community partners;
    • Clarify roles & responsibilities;
    • Assess availability of resources & capabilities; and
    • Identify areas of improvement. #WednesdayWisdom
       
  • One of the most effective ways #schools & districts can promote safety & security, & demonstrate the effectiveness of their EOP & protocols, is through exercises and drills, especially those conducted w/ their community partners. https://www.rems.ed.gov/K12TrainAndExercises.aspx
     
  • Our Project Director is gathering together with @femaregion10 & youth-serving organizations here in Oregon today to plan & collaborate to support youth #emergency #preparedness. #REMSontheRoad #SchoolSafety
     
  • The Guide for Developing High-Quality School Emergency Operations Plans has been guiding our work since 2013, and was created with input from @fema, @DHSgov, @HHSGov, @FBI and @TheJusticeDept. Read and share today!: https://rems.ed.gov/docs/REMS_K-12_Guide_508.pdf pic.twitter.com/mbV626SXKt
     
  • #Schools, check out this research on school safety measures that have been proposed by governors across the US to stay in the loop with what's going on in #SchoolSafety. Visit our Website at rems.ed.gov as well for the latest info! https://twitter.com/edcommission/status/976861708512874496
     
  • Love this! Thank you for sharing! #Cyber #safety and #cybersecurity are important #schoolsafety topics to teach in schools. Check out our resources too on the topic in case you need supplemental support! https://rems.ed.gov/docs/Cyber_Safety_K-12_Fact_Sheet_508C.PDF https://rems.ed.gov/Resources_Hazards-Threats_Adversarial_Threats.aspx @CoSN @OfficeofEdTech pic.twitter.com/QUoV2de4qd
     
  • Assess your knowledge of the elements critical to the development of a high-quality school emergency operations plan with our tool EOP ASSESS and get the help you need to improve your knowledge https://rems.ed.gov/Assessment/K-12/A_Demographic.aspx #SchoolSafety
     
  • A huge thank you goes to the New Hampshire Department of Education, for co-hosting our first training in the state of NH! It was a fantastic experience training and learning from the participants. #REMSonTheRoad pic.twitter.com/W2UbtCdgqC