Standard Response Protocol
EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN [Standard Response Protocol]
Tomball ISD is committed to the safety and security of students, faculty, staff, and visitors on its campuses. The district maintains an Emergency Response Plan that outlines the district’s approach to emergency management and operations. It provides general guidance on emergency management activities and an overview of the district's methods of mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery.
PURPOSE OF THE DISTRICT EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PLAN
The objectives of the emergency operations program are to protect the lives and well-being of students and staff through the prompt and timely response of trained school personnel should an emergency occur at a school.
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HOLD – "In Your Classroom Area" |
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Clear the hallways and remain in room or area until “All Clear” is given. Do business as usual. Hold procedures are activated when the hallways need to be kept clear of occupants. Examples may include a medical emergency in the hallway, a maintenance issue such as a spill or broken glass, a disturbance in the hallway, or law enforcement or staff needing clear access through hallways. |
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SECURE – "Get Inside. Lock outside doors" |
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Return to inside of building. Do business as usual. Secure procedures are activated when there is a threat outside of the building or in the community. Example threats may include police activity in the neighborhood, a dangerous animal on campus grounds, or an environmental hazard outside. Instruction focuses on keeping everyone inside and securing all exterior access points. No one is allowed to enter or leave the building. Students will not be released or picked up from school until an “All Clear” is given. |
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LOCKDOWN – "Locks, Lights, Out of Sight" |
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Move away from sight. Maintain silence. Do not open the door. Lockdown procedures are activated when there is a threat or hazard inside the building. All doors, windows, and classrooms are locked. Students and teachers remain in their classrooms until released by campus administration and/or responding agencies. No one enters or exits the building, and local authorities provide assistance as needed. |
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EVACUATE |
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Leave stuff behind. If possible, bring your phone. Follow instructions. Evacuate procedures are activated when there is a need to move people from one location to another. Examples may include: fire inside the building, gas leak, structural damage, or any hazard that requires people to leave the current location for safety. |
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SHELTER |
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Use appropriate safety strategy for the hazard. Shelter hazards might include inclement weather, such as tornadoes or hazmat spills near a school. |
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REUNIFICATION |
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Reunification is the planned, structured process of safely reuniting students with their parents or guardians after an emergency or disruptive event. Our goal is to ensure that students are only released to authorized adults and that the process is orderly, secure, and documented. If reunification is necessary, each parent/guardian who arrives to pick up a student will be given a reunification card to complete identifying key student and guardian information. Adults must present valid photo identification for this process. When Reunification is initiated: 1. Follow the district notification received (Mass Communication). |
STAFF DEVELOPMENT & TRAINING
Tomball ISD staff prepare for emergencies by participating in drills throughout the school year. Crisis training is woven into the district's staff development program. Local responding agencies partner with district administration and campuses to practice Lockdown drills. DPS and all local responding agencies are invited to visit and walk the campuses to familiarize themselves with the facilities.
SCHOOL CLOSINGSTo provide parents, community organizations, and the public with reliable information regarding school closures, Tomball ISD utilizes its website, social media, and mass communication to notify families and the media of school closures.