There are no federal laws that mandate schools have EOPs or EOP planning teams. State requirements vary. While most, if not all, require some type of safety plan, the requirements of how the plan is developed and who will be involved varies from state to state. Some states require parents, students, students with disabilities and/or their parent or guardian be members of school safety teams. Others require more than one school safety team.
Although there are no federal mandates, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommends that schools develop comprehensive EOPs and establish comprehensive EOP teams. FEMA guidance suggests that EOP teams include school administrators, local emergency responders, teachers, mental health professionals, school nurses, bus drivers, nutrition managers and community leaders. FEMA also suggests considering a secondary or ad-hoc team to include students, support staff, faith-based leaders, community health care providers and other people who are important to the school community. More resources can be found here.
School EOPs are designed to cover any and all emergencies, disasters or other crisis situations. EOPs may be thought about in terms of physical safeguards and school climate. Physical safeguards may include modifications to buildings, compliance with fire codes, safety doors and locks, parking lots, gates and sidewalks. School climate may include character development programs, clear school policies and expectations of conduct, consistent discipline, access to care and support on campus and strong community ties. EOPs are designed to be customized, modified, reviewed and updated regularly and should not prioritize physical safeguards over school climate.
In Arizona, every public school district and each public school in Arizona is required by state law to have an Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) that meets the minimum requirements as determined by Arizona Department of Education and Arizona Department of Military Affairs. Unless you have a background in emergency management or served in the military (thank you for your service) or you live in a state that routinely prepares for natural disasters, this may be the first time you have heard the term EOPs.
In addition, in May of 2023, Senate Bill 1315 was signed into law (thank you Arizona Developmental Disabilities Planning Council, Arizona State Senator Eva Diaz and AZ state Senate Democrats and Representative Judy Schwiebert) by Governor Katie Hobbs. The new law states “school administrators and emergency responders must address how they will communicate and provide assistance to students with disabilities”. That is a big win for our kids. It is also a big win for parents.
We (students and parents/guardians have no way of knowing what the plan is for our child, if the plan will be communicated to our children or if anyone is practicing unless we know to ask. Now you know. Ask your child first, then your child’s teachers, school principals and other school staff. Don’t forget about bus drivers. They often know the kids as well as or better than other school staff.
