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Extracted from Consolidated Report

This investigation was originally published as part of a larger consolidated report containing multiple investigations. View the consolidated PDF for the complete document.

Placer County Grand Jury • 2017-2018

Response to the Placer County Grand Jury 2017-2018 Final Report Emergency Preparedness

Published: November 10, 2018 72 pages
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Findings 14 findings

F1 Page 73
Focus on SEMS requirements was not consistent, i.e., if there are adequate supplies in each classroom in case of an extended shelter-in-place, such as during a HAZMAT incident from a nearby train derailment. These supplies include, but are not limited to, bottled water, snacks, a radio or cell phone for interclass room communication.
F2 Page 73
Each school reviewed in the three different districts named its school safety plan by different titles, leading to confusion if someone asks for a safety plan. a. Roseville HS (Roseville Joint Union High School District): Crisis Response Site Plan, as well as the PCOE Comprehensive School Safety Plan for Roseville High School b. Lincoln HS (Western Placer Unified School District): Comprehensive School Site Safety Plan (subtitle: Crisis Response Plan, with a title on the top of the document: District Crisis Response Plan; document is also titled Comprehensive Safe School Plan on pg. 59 inside the plan itself) c. Foresthill High School (Placer Union High School District): Comprehensive Safe School Plan
F3 Page 73
Each school safety plan reviewed contained different elements of how to respond to various emergencies (including wildfires or a nearby train derailment with HAZMAT release) versus complying with all elements of the state-mandated SEMS checklist.
F4 Page 73
School districts select internal emergency communications systems, such as Catapult and School Messenger, based on a variety of reasons, i.e., budget constraints within their districts, needs of their individual schools, etc.
F5 Page 73
There is no central Placer County oversight regarding schools allocating funds for emergency preparedness (supplies, training, etc.) for potential incidents such as HAZMAT release, wildfire evacuation, or surrounding effects of a train derailment.
F6 Page 73
Schools are not creating after-action reports following safety drills or actual emergency responses. Lessons learned from the drills and responses are only debriefed verbally among districts.
F7 Page 73
District superintendents leave it up to their principals to decide what that school’s budget priorities are (books, athletic equipment, safety equipment, supplies for an extended shelter-in-place due to a disaster threatening the local school area, etc.) 69 Response to -2018 Final Report
F8 Page 74
One school had snacks and water stored in each classroom in case there was an extended lockdown or shelter-in-place for the school if there was a nearby natural disaster. In addition, it also had an inexpensive backpack in each classroom to carry these items outside, along with other safety items such as a flashlight, radio, etc., if needed.
F9 Page 74
Substitute teachers get inconsistent information about responding to various emergencies. a. They are at a disadvantage moving between districts because of lack of standardization of emergency plans. b. They must have their own cellphones to be notified in case of emergency while they are on the school campus.
F10 Page 74
Due to the age of some schools, upgrading facilities to improve safety, such as doors that lock from the inside and reinforced glass, are large budget items which have to be prioritized with other needs at each school.
F11 Page 74
While not state-mandated, PCOE initiated quarterly safety meetings, inviting all districts to attend.
F12 Page 74
There is not a single, standardized emergency communication system used across the three reviewed school districts.
F13 Page 74
Open campuses cannot account for students who leave the campus for lunch.
F14 Page 74
The reviewed schools do work with their local first responders (fire, police, EMTs) and include them in emergency planning and training. However, there was no consistent training found for such potential disasters as train derailments, wildfires, and HAZMAT release.

Recommendations 12