Section III: Response

A. Notification and Activation

Policies and procedures for contacting appropriate law enforcement officials in the event of a violent incident.

  • The person in charge (Incident Commander) will decide if the level of the incident classifies it as a “violent incident” (consistent with the definition of such an incident as defined in the district’s Code of Conduct). If appropriate, the Incident Commander will call 911.
  • In a crisis situation involving a violent incident, school staff should call 911 and notify the Incident Commander.

A system for informing all educational agencies within a school district of a disaster

  • Educational agencies within the Greater Johnstown School District (non-public schools, registered daycare centers, etc.) will be contacted in an emergency via telephone. If telephone contact is not possible, a contact person will be sent to the school if possible.

Procedures to contact parents, guardians or persons in parental relation to the students in the event of a violent incident or an early dismissal

  • Parents/Guardians will be contacted by the school district using an automated message via Parent Square. In some cases, the public/parents may also be notified via media outlets.

B. Situational Responses

Multi-Hazard Responses

Responses to Acts of Violence: Implied or Direct Threats

The district uses emergency information folders in each room for important directional information when a response action is needed

Acts of Violence

This issue is addressed in the Code of Conduct. The district uses emergency information folders in each room for important directional information when a response action is needed.

Response Protocols

We have incorporated the homeland security guidelines into our plans. It establishes definitions of lockout, lockdown, sheltering and evacuation. Our responses are based upon these guidelines. These guidelines are confidential and we respectfully will not submit them at this time.

Bomb Threats

Procedures and Guidelines are included in the Building-Level School Safety Plans for the Greater Johnstown School. We use the NYS Police guidelines for bomb threats as protocol.

Hostage Taking

Procedures and Guidelines are included in the Building-Level School Safety Plans for the Greater Johnstown School.

Intrusions

Procedures and Guidelines are included in the Building-Level School Safety Plans for the Greater Johnstown School.

Kidnapping

Procedures and Guidelines are included in the Building-Level School Safety Plans for the Greater Johnstown School.

Arrangements for Obtaining Emergency Assistance from Local Government

Policies and procedures for contacting appropriate law enforcement officials in the event of a violent incident.

  • The person in charge (Incident Commander) will decide if the level of the incident classifies it as a “violent incident” (consistent with the definition of such an incident as defined in the district’s Code of Conduct). If appropriate, the Incident Commander will call 911.
  • In a crisis situation involving a violent incident, school staff should call 911 and notify the Incident Commander.

Arrangements for Obtaining Advice and Assistance from Local Government Officials

Procedures for obtaining advice and assistance from local government officials including the county or city officials responsible for implementation of Article 2-B of the Executive Law.

  • The person in charge (Incident Commander) will decide if the level of the incident warrants obtaining emergency assistance. If appropriate, the Incident Commander will call 911
  • In a crisis situation, school staff should call 911 and notify the Incident Commander

District Resources Available for Use in an Emergency

  • Building Resources: Schools have kitchen and serving areas
  • Transportation Resources: School buses, school vans, and maintenance vehicles
  • Personnel Resources: Staff with CPR/FA training, bus drivers
  • Other Resources: Local Emergency Management Coordinator

Agencies authorized to Request Use of Resources:

  • County Emergency Management Office
  • Fulton County Sheriff’s Office
  • NYS Police
  • City of Johnstown F.D. / P.D.

Protective Action Options

School Cancellation

Superintendent of Schools or designee will announce the closing of school. Communication will be
sent to all officials needed to proceed with the cancellation.

Early Dismissal
  • Preliminary Procedures
    • An annual request is made of parents of K-12 students to notify the school district where their child should go in the event that they are not home during school hours. Drivers maintain a list for their information in the event of an emergency.
    • Drivers will be alerted and substitutes contacted by the Transportation Office as to the possibility of an early or emergency dismissal.
  • Dismissal Bus Students:
    • The main office will notify the Transportation Office of the decision to take pupils home
    • The Transportation Office will notify drivers and required substitutes
    • Bus pupils will remain in classroom or other designated areas until buses are spotted
    • Personnel will assume regular duties for bus dismissal.
    • The Transportation Supervisor will remain at their station until all buses have completed their runs and returned. The Transportation Office will notify the main office of each school building when all runs have been completed. (Estimated length of longest run is ~1 hour 10 minutes)
  • Dismiss Walking Students
    • Walking students will be dismissed via an announcement from the main office, after contacting persons in parental relations or emergency contact.

Evacuation (before, during and after school hours)

Procedures and guidelines are included in the building-level school safety plans for the Greater Johnstown School

Sheltering Sites (internal and external)

Procedures and guidelines are included in the building-level school safety plans for the Greater Johnstown School