Communications and Warning Annex

Plan the communication and coordination during emergencies and disasters (both internal communication and communication with external stakeholders), as well as the communication of emergency protocols before an emergency and communication after an emergency.

The planning team should consider the following when developing goals, objectives, and courses of action:

• How the school’s communications system integrates into the local disaster and response law enforcement communication networks (e.g., fire department and law enforcement staff).
• How to ensure relevant staff members can operate communications equipment.
• How the school will communicate with students, families, and the broader community before, during, and after an emergency.
• How to account for technology barriers faced by students, staff, parents, and guardians.
• How to effectively address language access barriers faced by students, staff, parents, and guardians.
• How the school will handle the media (e.g., district or school Public Information Officer [PIO]).
• How impacts on students will be communicated to the community, including the impact on activities related to the school but not necessarily at the school or during regular school hours (i.e., church use of school property and athletic events).
• How the school will ensure effective communication with individuals with disabilities and others with access and functional needs (e.g., coordinating with first responders and local emergency managers to provide sign language interpreters for use during press conferences, publishing only accessible documents, ensuring information on websites is accessible).