Employee Safety Responsibilities

Familiarity with Policies and Protocols

Employees are expected to review and adhere to all safety-related district policies and procedures. Awareness and compliance are essential to the effectiveness of the District’s safety programs.

Reporting Safety Concerns

Employees play a vital role in maintaining a safe environment. Any concerns, unsafe conditions, or suspicious behavior should be reported immediately. "If you see something, say something" is a shared responsibility.

Identification Badges

All employees must visibly wear their district-issued identification badges while on school grounds. Badges must be used to access school buildings. Employees are reminded not to hold or prop doors open for others who are not displaying proper identification.

Visitor Entry and Exit Protocols

All visitors must enter and exit through the designated main entrance of the building. Employees are responsible for directing visitors accordingly and must not permit unauthorized access.

Exterior Door Security

Employees should periodically check nearby exterior doors to ensure they are securely closed and locked during the school day. Any issues with door security must be reported to the building administrator or maintenance staff immediately.

LENS – Lockdown Emergency Notification System

Employees must be familiar with the District’s Lockdown Emergency Notification System (LENS), including how and when to activate it during an emergency. Training and updates are provided periodically by school administration.

Fire Safety and Evacuation Procedures

Employees of the Paramus Public School District are required to adhere to established fire safety protocols to ensure the protection and well-being of all building occupants. Compliance with these procedures is essential to maintaining a safe and orderly environment during fire emergencies.

All employees must be familiar with the designated primary and secondary evacuation routes for their respective work areas. This knowledge is vital to ensuring an efficient and safe evacuation in the event of a fire alarm or related emergency.

Upon activation of a fire alarm, employees are responsible for directing and escorting students from the building in a calm, quiet, and orderly manner. This practice is critical to minimizing confusion and reducing the risk of injury or exposure to potential hazards.

Where conditions safely allow, employees should close all classroom windows and doors prior to exiting to help contain the spread of fire and smoke. In addition, teachers are encouraged to bring gradebooks or attendance lists, if feasible, to support the accurate accounting of students once outside the building.

These actions contribute significantly to the effectiveness of the District’s emergency response and ensure accountability during fire-related incidents.

Ongoing awareness, preparation, and adherence to these protocols are required of all staff.