Orange County Public Schools: Are they Prepared for Emergencies?*

With respect to reported constraints on emergency planning and preparation, over half of schools and almost three quarters of districts identified either limited time or funds. The Placentia Yorba Linda School District (PYLUSD) agrees with the findings of the Grand Jury. With the amount of budget reductions our district has had to make over the past seven years, it has become very difficult to dedicate funds to equip schools sites with the supplies needed. We continue to examine ways to generate additional funding including the pursuit of grants and donations. Parent groups and local community groups have provided some funds but much more is needed. However, our school staff continues to find time to plan, prepare and practice for emergency situations.

Six (of 17) school districts have managed to apply for and receive relatively large grants from governmental agencies to greatly enhance their emergency planning efforts, while others have not. PYLUSD continues to pursue grants that would enhance school preparation. However, we have been more successful in seeking funds from our local communities. PTSA-sponsored fundraisers have helped offset the loss of state funding.

Some schools anticipate responding to only a few emergency situations (e.g., earthquake and fire), while others have developed plans to respond to over a dozen different threatening situations. PYLUSD has identified various scenarios which may occur on a school campus. Each school site is provided with protocols for the following incidents: Accidents, Armed Student(s), Bomb Threat, Earthquake, Fire and/or Explosion, Fire - Vehicle, Flood, Hazardous Material Spill, Homicide, Hostage, Poisoning/Bites, Rape, Shooting, Suicide, Suspicious Circumstances, Terrorist Attack, Terrorism, Oral Rehydration

School districts develop plans with respect to a number of different but overlapping regulations and standards, including those required by the county, state, and the federal government. PYLUSD has developed plans that comply with the Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS). Each school site is provided with a template that adheres to the SEMS protocols. Schools are required to update their plan each year as well as provide two reports each year relative to their training activities. و جو جو Orange County Grand Jury Report – Emergency Preparedness Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District

Some schools reported they have not adequately anticipated the needs of students taking prescription medications, or with specialized medical needs, in the event of some emergencies, such as an extended lockdown. PYLUSD agrees that this is an important issue that needs further attention. In our district, students with critical health issues have special resources available to them should an emergency occur. This could include medicine or special food for dietary issues.

School districts are in communication with a variety of local and county departments, agencies, and systems to help them prepare for and respond to disasters or emergencies; not all districts access the same resources. Over the past several years, PYLUSD has improved their ability to communicate with outside agencies. Each year our emergency phone lists are updated and staff attends joint meeting with local community organizations to discuss responses to emergency situations.

Few schools have plans or emergency preparation information available in languages other than English. PYLUSD has not prepared emergency information in languages other than English. Since, the plans are executed by staff who all speak English, we have not found this necessary. Responses to Recommendations