4041: Crisis Team Duties
The crisis team is responsible for planning for the safety and security of the ESU, staff, and students. The teams will respond to and manage any safety or security incident that occurs in the ESU or program setting or which has the potential to disrupt the orderly operation of the ESU system.
1. Membership on and Chair of Team
The administrator will appoint members to serve on the crisis team.
If the administrator does not serve on the crisis team personally, he/she shall appoint an individual to serve as the chair of the crisis team. The chair of the crisis team shall have the responsibility of scheduling crisis team meetings, documenting crisis team actions, and reporting to the board at least annually on the district’s All-Hazard ESU Safety Plan and other activities of the crisis team.
2. Meetings of the Crisis Team
The crisis team will meet at least twice annually with representatives from local law enforcement and local fire and rescue personnel. At these meetings, the team will coordinate with local agencies to prepare for and communicate about a variety or real world scenarios.
The crisis team will meet at such additional times as necessary to fulfill the duties given to it pursuant to this policy.
3. ESU Self-Assessment
The crisis team shall conduct the self-assessment created by the Nebraska Department of Education as part of its School Safety and Security Standards. This assessment shall be conducted for each ESU building or program. The team shall report the results of this self-assessment to the administrator and to the board.
Either the administrator or the chair of the safety committee will also report the results of the self-assessment to the Nebraska Department of Education, if required.
4. All-Hazard ESU Safety Plan
The crisis team will create an All-Hazard ESU Safety Plan. The plan must be customized to the needs of each of the ESU’s buildings and programs. The plan must include all of the components required by the School Safety and Security Standards adopted by the Nebraska Department of Education, and shall meet at least the minimum indicators set by those Standards.
The crisis team shall share a copy of the All-Hazard ESU Safety Plan with local authorities and first responders.
The chair of the crisis team shall provide a copy of the All-Hazard ESU Safety Plan to the NDE Security Assessor at least one-week prior to the assessor’s scheduled visit to the ESU, if applicable.
5. Standard Response Protocol (SRP)
Crisis team shall be knowledgeable about the Standard Response Protocol promoted by the “I love u guys” Foundation.
The crisis team will coordinate with members of the administrative team to arrange for all students, employees, and other individuals who routinely use the ESU’s facilities to receive SRP training and guidance.
The crisis team will assess the need for SRP to be implemented at off campus locations where students may be present for ESU activities.
The crisis team will confer with individuals knowledgeable about students, staff, or patrons who may have special needs in order for those individuals to be able to understand and implement the SRP.
6. Consultation With Building/Program Administrator
The crisis team shall confer with the building/program administrator of each building or program within the ESU to ensure that visible signage is present in each building which meets the needs of local emergency responders.
The crisis team will review the utility of non-required drills in light of the needs and unique circumstances present within each building within the ESU and its programs. Non-required drills recommended by NDE include lock-down, lock out, evacuation, shelter, and reunification process. The crisis team will consult with building/program administrator to review both required and non-required drills.
7. Consultation with Threat Assessment Team
The crisis team will consult with members of the threat assessment team to determine if the All-Hazard ESU Safety Plan has been appropriately implemented and if it should be modified or updated.
8. Review of Training
The crisis team shall review the training which the ESU provides for specified employees in required areas to comply with local, state, and federal regulations.
The crisis team shall also review any non-required training which could be provided to appropriate staff to increase the safety and security of the ESU and its students, staff and patrons. If the team believes such non-required training would be beneficial, it shall recommend to the administrator that the training be provided to the identified staff member at ESU expense.
9. Communication with ESU Community and Stakeholders
The crisis team will work continuously to improve communication with the ESU community and relevant stakeholders. This communication shall include, but not be limited to, the communication strategies and protocols identified in the All-Hazard ESU Safety Plan.
10. Communication with the Board
The crisis team will report to the board at least annually on its activities. This report may be included as part of the administrator’s report at a regular board meeting.
Adopted on: April 8, 2019
Reviewed on: Feb. 13, 2023
Revised on: