In this brief, RTI International’s Center for Evidence-Based Strategies to Reduce Firearm Violence summarizes takeaways and recommendations based on a series of school emergency operations plan (EOP) studies.
This fact sheet presents key takeaways from a series of school emergency operations plan (EOP) studies conducted by RTI International’s Center for Evidence-Based Strategies to Reduce Firearm Violence. The authors make recommendations for increasing emergency preparedness: create an inclusive culture around emergency preparedness in which all staff and students are recognized as vital parts of the system, while balancing access to highly sensitive information on a need-to-know basis; streamline written protocols to improve understanding and retention of complex information; create quick-reference guides (such as handouts, flipcharts, and other succinct visual aids) derived from the larger EOP to ensure essential information is readily available when needed; consider EOP development to be an ongoing process, not a static document that gets shelved; update EOPs immediately after protocols change or new ones are added; and consider incorporating more scenario-based training opportunities for all staff and students. Tabletop exercises provide opportunities to talk through various emergency scenarios in informal settings. Part of the National Institute of Justice’s Comprehensive School Safety Initiative, the studies reviewed EOPs and conducted surveys and interviews with district staff, school staff, and students from across the United States between 2018 and 2020. Improving comprehension of procedures and roles and responsibilities is one of the most actionable steps schools can take to prepare for an emergency. Access to and engagement with the school’s emergency management system are critical for understanding emergency procedures and feeling safe at school.