Exploring Public Health, Medical, and Mental Health in the Emergency Operations Plan
 

Public Health, Medical, and Mental Health is an emergency management function that covers the health and wellness of the whole school or campus community before, during, and after an emergency incident. This function is applicable to all education agencies; therefore, planning teams should develop a Public Health, Medical, and Mental Health Annex within the school or higher ed emergency operations plan (EOP). This annex ideally contains three goals (the desired outcome for before, during, and after), supporting objectives, and courses of action. Each of the three components, which are explained below, should be addressed and integrated throughout the annex.

This annex is one of the 10 functional annexes recommended by both the Guide for Developing High-Quality School Emergency Operations Plans and the Guide for Developing High-Quality Emergency Operations Plans for Institutions of Higher Education to include in a school or higher ed EOP.

Public Health

Public health involves ongoing, proactive efforts to protect and improve the health of the whole school or campus community in an emergency. It is also important for planning teams to consider how they can prevent or reduce public health disparities that may impact their school/campus community. Some examples of integrating public health activities into this annex are as follows:

• analyzing community health data and monitoring infectious disease cases and transmission rates;
• maintaining safe and healthy learning conditions, including indoor air quality;
• providing school or campus health services, such as vaccination clinics;
• implementing ongoing cleaning and sanitation efforts; and
• managing the adequate supply and distribution of personal protective equipment when needed.

Schools and institutions of higher education (IHEs) should work collaboratively with staff members — school nurses and facility managers, as well as community partners, such as public health officials and community-based health clinics — to develop, review, revise, and implement the annex.

Medical

A variety of threats and hazards can impact the health of school/campus community members. Schools and IHEs should be prepared to handle new and existing medical needs during and after emergency incidents (before emergency medical services [EMS] arrive). This may include providing care for individuals with injuries, such as burns, loss of consciousness, and bleeding, and/or chronic health conditions, such as asthma, diabetes, and allergies. Consider your education agency’s capacity to address student and staff medical needs, such as

• relevant skills or training that staff or students may possess, including first aid, emergency CPR, and bleeding control;
• the location of medical supplies on school or campus grounds, including first aid kits or automated external defibrillators; and
• the staff member(s) responsible for taking inventory of and replenishing medical supplies, including those in go-kits.

Schools and IHEs should coordinate their efforts to develop and implement the annex with education agency staff, such as school nurses and health clinic staff, and community partners, such as EMS personnel.


Mental Health

Schools and IHEs also play a role in supporting students’ and staff’s mental health before, during, and after an emergency incident. Detail your school’s or IHE’s preventative measures aimed at supporting the mental health and well-being of the school community, which can include

• efforts to strengthen students’ and staff’s resilience and self-care practices;
• instituting evidence-based policies and programs such as Multi-Tiered Systems of Support, social and emotional learning, and trauma-informed practices;
• the provision of services by school mental health professionals;
• conducting ongoing social and emotional screenings and school climate and culture assessments;
• providing supports or services to students identified by behavioral threat assessment teams; and
• professional learning opportunities for staff on topics such as adverse childhood experiences, compassion fatigue, reducing the stigma associated with mental health needs and services, and recognizing signs and symptoms of emotional and psychological needs.

To ensure relevant mental health considerations are embedded throughout the annex, schools and IHEs should collaborate with staff members, including school psychologists, social workers, and counselors, and community partners, such as local mental health practitioners. Mental health courses of action for the “before” and “during” time frame of an emergency should be reflected in the Public Health, Medical, and Mental Health Annex, whereas those for after an emergency event should be documented in the Recovery Annex.

The Public Health, Medical, and Mental Health Annex is an essential addition to a school or higher ed EOP and may be activated due to a range of hazards and threats. Safeguarding the physical and mental health of the whole school or campus community helps ensure that schools and IHEs remain resilient, students are safe to learn and socialize with their peers, and educators and staff members can effectively perform their roles and maintain their well-being. To learn more and access resources related to this annex, visit its Topic-Specific Resources Web page!

If you have any questions or need additional assistance,
please contact the REMS TA CENTER at 1-855-781-REMS [7367]
or via email at info@remstacenter.org