My Role in the AICHS Emergency Plan

As a teacher at AICHS I have a specific and important role to carry out in any emergency that occurs during school hours. In the event of a fire, earthquake, or other natural disaster, my first responsibility is ensuring the safety of the students in my classroom, as well as students who might be in the hallway near my class at any given time. In order to do this, I must be well-versed in the appropriate response to each unique situation. From modeling correct duck, cover, and hold procedures to ensuring my students exit the classroom and evacuate the building in an efficient and orderly fashion during drills, I am required to remain calm and alert in any given situation. I must be prepared, able to give clear and direct instructions, and identify the school emergency codes and procedures, so my students are put in the safest situation available as quickly as possible.

As a classroom teacher, I am primarily responsible for student safety. In any given natural disaster, I am expected to lead my students in an orderly fashion out of the building to the designated meeting spot, take roll to account for all students present and report missing students by way of holding a green or red card for designated office staff members to assess and report to the necessary recovery personel. I am then responible for monitoring and keeping track of students in my class, answering their questions as appropriate, and maintaining a calm environment while we wait for further instructions.

In the event of an in-school emergency, I am responsible for helping students remain calm and under teacher supervision. These in-school emergencies range from being on alert to a school lock-down situation where students are to remain in their current class or if in the hallways go directly to the nearest classroom, stay away from windows, and wait patiently for office directions before proceeding with next steps. In these situations, I must decipher the emergency codes due to the possible inability for office staff to provide details or directions over the intercom system. Based on the level of emergency, I would be expected to continue with class, usher students into the nearest classroom, or lock doors as necessary. Again, the most vital part of the in-school emergency plan is that I am able to act efficiently and calmly in order to keep students both physically and emotionally safe.

As a former lifeguard and lifelong Southern California resident, I understand that anything can happen at any time. The most important thing one can do is to be trained and prepared. I am confident that through my training, I will be able to effectively carry out my portion of the AICHS Emergency Procedures.