INCLUSION OF PSRP IN THE DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF SCHOOL/CAMPUS EMERGENCY PLANS

WHEREAS, AFT PSRP members in our nation's schools and on college campuses are important contributors in the effort to maintain a safe environment for both students and staff and often play a central role in responding to any threat to the smooth and safe operation of our nation's educational facilities; and

WHEREAS, despite the outstanding effort of school and college PSRP staff to provide a safe environment, various unforeseen circumstances and emergency situations may arise in schools or on college campuses that could cause disruption, interfere with the safe operation of the facility and threaten the safety or well-being of students and staff; and

WHEREAS, the possibility that a crisis or emergency situation may occur makes it essential that schools and campuses develop and keep up-to-date, comprehensive action plans and contingencies that provide staff with the tools, resources and direction needed to deal with crisis situations in a safe and organized manner that minimizes the risk of harm or injury to students and staff and preserves the integrity of school and campus infrastructure; and

WHEREAS, the successful development and implementation of emergency plans is dependent on the involvement of key school/campus staff employed in transportation, administration, facilities maintenance, custodial services, school/campus safety and other departments in positions typically filled by paraprofessionals and school-related personnel; and

WHEREAS, all school/campus staff should be thoroughly briefed and receive regular training on the emergency plan for their worksite and provided with the opportunity to give feedback on the plan:

RESOLVED, that the AFT encourage and support efforts by its affiliates to advocate for the inclusion of appropriate PSRP members in the development and implementation of school/campus emergency plans; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT provide technical assistance and advice to affiliates on best practices related to the school/campus emergency planning and implementation procedures; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT support legislation mandating the development of emergency plans for schools and campuses and the participation and inclusion of PSRP staff in development and implementation of such plans; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT support efforts to mandate that all school/campus staff receive thorough briefings and regular training on their worksites' emergency plans.