AP 165 – Emergency Management
Background

West Vancouver Schools is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all students, staff, and visitors. The school district recognizes that emergencies can occur without warning and may require immediate action, coordination, and communication.

This procedure details the roles and expectations for schools and the school district in mitigating, preventing, planning, preparing, responding, and recovering from an emergency. It involves collaboration with local emergency management services.

Definition and Types of Emergencies

An “emergency” is defined as any unexpected event that poses a risk to the safety of students, staff, or the public and:

  • Disrupts the ability of the school or district to operate normally; or
  • Requires an urgent response to ensure continued safety and well-

Examples include, but are not limited to:

  • Human Caused (bomb threat, fire, dangerous intruder, )
  • Natural (flood, earthquake, forest fire, severe storm, )
  • Technological (power failure, explosion, chemical leak, gas leak, cyber attack, )
  • Biological (communicable disease, contaminated food or water, )
Procedures

1.  Emergency Planning

  • The District will maintain emergency management plans, coordinated by the Superintendent or designates, and reviewed annually.
  • Each school or school district site must maintain a current Site Emergency Plan that aligns with district expectations and reflects the specific context of the site. Emergency plans will be readily accessible at each site and reviewed annually by the Administrator in consultation with staff.
  • All sites must conduct regular emergency drills throughout the school year, including fire, earthquake, and lockdown drills, in accordance with district expectations.
  • All staff must be familiar with their site’s emergency procedures and participate in the annual orientation or training.

2. Roles and Responsibilities

2.1 District Leadership is responsible for:

    • Coordinating support and logistics for school district sites during emergencies;
    • Issuing guidance or direction for school closures or modified operations;
    • Communicating with schools and the broader community as needed;
    • Liaising with local emergency management

2.2 Principals and Site Administrators or designates are responsible for:

    • Maintaining and communicating the Site Emergency Plan;
    • Leading site-level emergency responses and decisions;
    • Coordinating communication with the Superintendent or designate;
    • Ensuring student and staff safety and communication with

2.3 All staff are expected to:

  • Know and follow emergency procedures;
  • Remain in the district to support and supervise students and prioritize student safety during all emergency events until released by administration or designate
  • Have essentials ready for emergencies (medication, additional food, shoes, clothing, )
  • Follow directives from administration or emergency personnel, which may include redeployment to another site to support student safety and district operations during the emergency and recovery period
  • Participate in required drills and training;
  • Report hazards or emergency situations immediately.

3.  Emergency Evacuation and Student Release

  • In the event of an emergency, the principal/ site administrator or designate is responsible for determining whether an evacuation is necessary.
  • Communication and/or consultation with district leadership will occur as soon as possible
  • If an evacuation occurs, students and staff will follow established emergency procedures to ensure safety and accountability.
  • Depending on the nature and duration of the emergency, it may be necessary for students to be released to go home. Student release will occur through district-established student release procedures designed to ensure safety and accurate tracking.
  • Parents and caregivers must be familiar with school emergency procedures and are expected to follow school directions during any emergency or student release process. Ongoing communication will be provided through school or district channels where possible

4.   Collaboration with Local Emergency Services

  • The District will maintain communication and coordination protocols with local municipal emergency management agencies to ensure alignment of plans and responses
  • When required, the district will assist in identifying school sites for use as reception or support centers by emergency management authorities.
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