High School: Preparedness Tools

Includes tools such as emergency kits, surveillance of flu-like illnesses and absenteeism, letters to parents in preparation for school closure, videos and other model preparedness guides.

»  Emergency Kits

• Recommended Emergency Supplies for Schools
  Preparedness guide; includes lists of individual and classroom supplies, search and rescue materials, and advice on budget (American Red Cross) 

»  Guides

• Basic Components of Pandemic Planning
  Lists components that every district should have in their plan; 1 page
  (U.S. Department of Education)
   

• Crisis Response Box
  Guide to help schools assemble tools and resources needed for a critical incident response; 18 pages (California Department of Education)
   

• Emergency Management in California
  Guide describes California’s emergency management system and outlines roles of public and private entities; 60 pages (California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services)
   

• FEMA Independent Study Program IS-700 National
  Incident Management System (NIMS)
  Information about a free distance learning program to train the professional and volunteer emergency management community (Department of Homeland Security)
   

• Pandemic Flu: A Planning Guide for Educators
  Issues to consider when planning for seasonal flu, a mild or moderate pandemic flu, or a severe pandemic; 5 pages (U.S. Department of Education)

• Pandemic Influenza: Schools Getting Prepared
  PowerPoint presentation with brief history of pandemics; includes information on how schools can prevent and prepare for pandemic flu; 77 slides (Orange County Department of Education)

• Pocket Skills Training Card
  Wallet-sized showing the Incident Command System; also available as a poster; 1 page (Collaborating Agencies Responding to Disasters)

• Practical Information on Crisis Planning
  A guide on emergency planning for schools and communities; 146 pages
  (US Department of Education)

• School Action Steps for Pandemic Flu
  Steps for preparing for pandemic influenza and responding to outbreaks of varying scope; 2 pages (Contra Costa Health Services)
   

• School Emergency Response Using SEMS at Districts and Sites
  Guidelines for planning and training in compliance with the Standardized Emergency Management System; 101 pages (California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services)

• SEMS Badges
  Nametag-style badges for using the Incident Command System; 3 pages (Collaborating Agencies Responding to Disasters) 

»  Letters

• Sample Letter to Parents # 2 First Bird Case: English | Spanish
  To help prepare parents for pandemic flu after first bird case is found in the U.S; 1 page 
  (Contra Costa Health Services)
   

• Sample Letter to Parents # 3 Initial Outbreak: English | Spanish
  To let parents know that schools are open despite the outbreak; 1 page
  (Contra Costa Health Services)
   

• Sample Letter to Parents #4 Expanded Outbreak: English | Spanish
  To let parents know that schools are open and urge ill children to stay home; 1 page (Contra Costa Health Services)
   

»  Surveillance and Reporting

• Definition of Surveillance Levels
  Information sheet explaining the difference between standard, heightened, and intensive surveillance; 1 page (Contra Costa Health Services)

• Influenza Case Definition
  List of typical flu symptoms that should be reported; 1 page (Contra Costa Health Services)

• Surveillance and Reporting
  List of information to monitor the illness rate at schools; 1 page (Contra Costa Health Services)

• Weekly Pandemic Flu Census
  Sample form for weekly reporting of students with flu-like illness; 1 page (Contra Costa Health Services)
  

»  Videos

• Health Emergency Videos
  Ordering information for “Get Ready, Get Healthy” in English and “Vida Sana en Vivo” in Spanish; 1 page (Contra Costa Health Services)
   

• Your Role as a Disaster Service Worker: Public Employees Roll Up Their Sleeves
  Video that clarifies roles and responsibilities as a disaster service worker; 11 minutes, 56 seconds; includes Video Facilitator's Discussion Guidebook; 12 pages (Public Health Division, Contra Costa Health Services; Office of Disaster Medical Services, Santa Clara County Public Health Department)