Task 2: Develop a Common Framework

It is essential for the district planning team to establish a framework (e.g., common concepts, principles, approach, terminology) for use by all members — the educational personnel as well as the community partners with shared roles and responsibilities in school preparedness (e.g., in the areas of school safety, security, and emergency management). This common framework is designed to facilitate mutual understanding, coordination, and execution of the emergency management strategies, as well as the use of a common command structure of the group, its authorities, and working procedures. To support the six-step planning process, the district should work with school core planning teams to help ensure that all team members learn each other’s vocabulary and culture as they move toward the common goal of implementing a comprehensive school EOP.

District’s Role

The district develops policies and procedures that inform the common framework that the school core planning team uses. In developing these policies and procedures, the district should consider the extent to which it should provide each school planning team with the following:

• Training on the six-step planning process
• A common set of terms and definitions
• Training on NIMS
• Training on ICS

School’s Role

Based on the district’s policies and procedures, each school core planning team should establish a common framework that facilitates effective team planning.