The Illinois School and Campus Safety Program, in collaboration with the National Center for Biomedical Research and Training at Louisiana State University, is pleased to announce a session of the "Campus Emergencies Prevention, Response, and Recovery" course will be held Nov. 23rd & 24th from noon to 4:00 pm via Zoom.

Course Description:

Overview:

This course aims to train personnel from PK-12 schools and institutions of higher education (IHEs), first responders, elected officials, and community stakeholders to respond to campus emergencies effectively and cooperatively during an active shooter incident. Participants will examine successful, nationally accepted emergency management principles that can be used to address the wide range of threats and hazards that educational entities face.

During the course, participants will discuss emergency planning considerations, the importance of an integrated response to campus emergencies, and communications and recovery issues that need to be addressed.

Core Capabilities:

The terminal learning objectives of this course align with the following core capabilities:

• Operational Coordination

• Planning

Scope:

This class is designed to address campus emergencies associated with an active shooter incident requiring the attention of personnel from PK-12 schools and IHEs, first responders, elected officials, and community stakeholders.

Target Audience:

This class is designed for campus leaders who may be involved in planning for, responding to, and recovering from campus emergencies. Suggested attendees are personnel from PK-12 schools and IHEs, first responders, elected officials, and community stakeholders whose responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

• Campus administration

• Faculty governance

• Student governance

• Campus public safety

• Facilities

• Emergency management

• Student affairs

• Campus health services

• Campus public affairs and public information

• Jurisdictional public safety

Prerequisites and Registration:

To enroll in this course, participants must be US citizens and must possess or obtain a FEMA student identification number (SID). Directions for obtaining a SID number are in the registration letter. Click here to view the registration letter and register for the training.

The Illinois School and Campus Safety Program, in collaboration with the New Mexico Tech Energetic Materials Research and Testing Center, is pleased to announce a session of the Incident Response to Terrorist Bombings class will be held via Zoom on Dec. 15, 2020, from noon to 4:00 pm and a session of the Understanding and Planning for School Bomb Incidents class will be held via Zoom on Dec. 17, 2020, from noon to 4:00 pm. Additional class information, as well as the registration information, will be released next week and spots in the classes will be limited.

It doesn't seem possible that it is time to start thinking about winter weather safety but, here we are, almost halfway through November. The Illinois Emergency Management Agency has designated November as Winter Weather Preparedness Month, and with it comes the need for promoting winter weather safety and performing routine seasonal maintenance so K-12 schools and Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs) can make sure they are prepared for the onset of inclement weather.

In their Extreme Weather Preparedness Tips for Schools, ISBE notes that winter weather is dangerous for both people and buildings alike, and provides tips for keeping both safe.

The National Weather Service's When the Weather Turns Severe: A Guide to Developing a Severe Weather Emergency Plan for Schools focuses on several types of severe weather, but does include an entire section on designing a winter weather emergency plan, as well as safety plan checklists. As the guide states:

"Winter weather claims nearly 100 lives annually, more than lightning, hurricanes, or tornadoes. Winter storms are considered to be deceptive killers because most deaths are indirectly related to the storm. People die in traffic accidents on snow or ice covered roads, from hypothermia due to prolonged exposure to cold, and from heart attacks due to overexertion. About 70% of the deaths occur in motor vehicles accidents, and nearly 25% are from exposure to snow and cold. These statistics indicate the need for a winter weather preparedness plan for schools."

In Ready Wrigley Prepares for Winter Weather, the CDC promotes winter weather preparedness and safety for younger kids. This educational coloring book features activities that help educate kids on emergency kits, carbon monoxide detectors, winter attire, pet safety, and more. It also includes a family communication plan page so kids will have important contact information readily available.