School Emergency Team Duties and Roles

“Only let your behavior do credit to the good news of Christ, so that if I come and see you or if I am away from you, I may have news of you that you are strong in one spirit, working together with one soul for the faith of the good news;...” Phil 1:27

The School Emergency Team has Three Goals:

1. Safety and Security

2. Biblical Readiness

3. Biblical Response

Once Schools determine their level of need and involvement by taking the ReadySchool and ReadyChristian Assessment, School Emergency Teams (SET’s) are hand selected by the administrative leadership to provide guidance in the following areas:

1. School Safety and Security

• Protecting property

• Responding to emergency medical needs

• Providing security during the school day, at school events and at school activities

• Responding to threats of violence against staff members or the school property

• Screening staff and volunteers

• Mitigating internal and external risks

• Reporting incidents to law enforcement or other authorities

• Assessing state safety procedures and protocols

2. School Biblical Readiness

• Modeling Personal Biblical Readiness using the ReadyChristian principles

• Assessing the school’s own level of Biblical Readiness and desired response

• Guiding the entire school staff in ReadyChristian

• Measuring the Biblical Readiness progress of the School

• Keeping Biblical Readiness Standards front and center with incentives

• Ensuring the School staff is modeling Biblical Readiness

• Designating Readiness leadership that is trusted and rotated

3. School Biblical Response

• Utilizing the schools own Emergency Operations Plan (EOP)

• Networking with other local christian schools

• Providing community wide memorial services

• Ensuring School response group is posting up to date information

• Ensuring a Pray-Care-Share approach to all responses

• Rotating leadership to avoid attrition

• Celebrating an obedient, loving School that responds to the community

School Emergency Team (SET)

Leadership Roles

Administration/Incident Commander

Responsible for the leadership of the SET within a Christian organization, recruiting and training volunteers for activation, and for accomplishing the mission of the ReadySchool. The Administrator is also the liaison with ReadyCity. The Administrator leads any School emergency response and is the incident commander unless otherwise designated. The EOC Administrative Officer heads the EOC with overall management responsibility for the incident. The Administrative Officer is a decision maker and is recommended to meet with their Emergency Response Team leaders hourly during the first days of the incident. The Administrative Officer also handles the planning component of ICS. The Administrative Officer collects and analyzes all data regarding emergency operations, develops alternatives for tactical action plans, conducts planning meetings and prepares the Action Plan for emergencies requiring extended operations. Teams can be subdivided into several groups and augmented as deemed necessary by the Administration/Incident Commander. 

PLEASE NOTE: The role of the Incident Commander might change depending upon the nature of the incident. For example, a security incident would necessitate that the Safety and Security Officer (SSO) assume the role of the Incident Commander.

Safety and Security (SSO)

Responsible for assessing risks, mitigating risks, practicing drills, establishing security protocols, and conducting all training of the security team. The Safety & Security Officer monitors incident operations and advises the EOC Administrator on all matters relating to operational safety, including the health and safety of emergency responder personnel. The Safety & Security Officer provides a 24-hour safety overview for the EOC, incident, and support facilities. They also work with the Administrative Officer to determine any security concerns and needs and work with the PIO to communicate as determined.

Public Information (PIO)

Responsible for all communication, both internally and externally, for the SET. The PIO guides the emergency prayer response and works with the Emergency Prayer Team Leader. The PIO is responsible for interfacing with the public and media and/or with other agencies that require incident-related information. The PIO will develop and release information to the media, incident personnel, and other agencies as appropriate and will monitor the public's reaction to information.

Operations

Responsible for developing and maintaining the School Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) and ensuring support systems are in place for the implementation of the EOP. The Operations Officer shall be responsible for coordination and management of all Operations teams. In government this section includes Police, Fire/Rescue, Medial, Public Works, Utilities and Coroner. Normally field operations (incident command) and multipurpose staging areas for resources are also under the management of this section; although the staff responsibility for the establishment and provision of support of the staging area lies with the Logistics Section. This could include school administrators, pastors and ministries as part of field operations.

Finance

Responsible for ensuring funding and initiative alignment, models and leads in transformational giving and ensures all accounts are current. The Finance Officer is responsible for the financial needs of the emergency response elements and supporting organizations and agencies. Includes purchasing and billing, personnel accountability, time-keeping functions and claims management.

Logistics

Responsible for acquiring the human and material resources needed to accomplish the EOP, maintaining relationships within the broader Christian and School community in order to connect them to the services of the members of the SET and others in their community, and connecting nationally with the Christian Emergency Network for supportive mutual aid. The Logistics Officer is responsible for assessing the logistical needs of the operations, to include the needs of supporting organizations and agencies and the acquisition and distribution of said resources. Include procuring equipment and supplies, providing food and medical support to incident assigned personnel, and meeting the transportation requirements of the field elements. The Logistics Officer may be augmented by representatives of other sections when deemed appropriate.

Prayer

Responsible for developing prayer networks within the School and working with the PIO to develop and communicate prayer prompts during crises. The Prayer Leader assists the Care and Share Leaders. The Prayer Officer is responsible for developing prayer networks within the School and working with the PIO to develop and communicate prayer prompts during crises. The Prayer Officer assists the Care and Share Officers.

Care

Responsible for developing the emergency related compassionate care activities of the EOP and helping to connect with the Share Leader for transformational opportunities. The Care Officer is responsible for developing the emergency related compassionate care activities of the EOP and helping to connect with the Share Officer for transformational opportunities.

Share

Responsible for developing the outreach related activities of the EOP. Coordinates closely with the Prayer and Care Leaders; ensures worship services have a Gospel-sharing component, assimilates seekers in crisis, and ensures the overall mission is celebrated within the local School. The Share Officer is responsible for developing the outreach related activities of the EOP. Coordinates closely with the Prayer and Care Officer; ensures worship services have a Gospel-sharing component, assimilates seekers in crisis, and ensures the overall mission is celebrated within the local School.

ACTION STEP:

Begin a list of possible School Emergency Team Members who would be good candidates to fill each of the listed Leadership roles. Prayerfully consider each possible team member for the leadership they might fill to create the best possible team. Begin recruiting the team members.