Emergency Preparedness and Response

It is a goal of the school district to provide a safe learning environment for all students. Schools regularly participate in drills including fire drills, hold and secure drills, and lockdown drills. All school sites maintain emergency and first aid supplies in the event of an emergency.

In creating safe and welcoming environments, the school district works in partnership with the RCMP, the Fire Department, Interior Health, and the Ministry of Education and Child Care. Our schools are prepared for emergencies and other risks and threats of dangers ranging from health-related issues to potential intruders.

The school district has established a number of policies and district practices to maintain a safe environment. Click here to view our school district Policies and Practices.

RMSD6 Emergency Preparedness and Response

Schools have a number of procedures in place to handle minor to major emergency situations. These procedures are continually updated and protocols have been developed for critical incidence interventions. In the event of a major emergency, the school is prepared to care for your child. All schools have first aid attendants, first aid supplies, and access to food and water.

Emergency Drills

The School District has a number of drills in place to prepare our students to handle various emergencies. These procedures are continually updated and protocols have been developed for critical incidence interventions. Schools conduct six (6) fire drills, two (2) hold and secure drills, and two (2) lockdown drills a year.

Schools do not publish the exact times of their drills but the teachers receive some advance notice so they can prepare their class for them. While it may be unpleasant to think that we need to practice such drills in the school setting, the need to maintain a safe and caring school environment extends to being prepared for emergencies and other external dangers.

In the event of a fire or smoke from a fire, schools are expected to follow the fire evacuation procedure.

Common causes of fires at schools

Microwaves
Electrical
Mischief

Hold and Secure is in response to a threat or emergency incident that occurs outside of the school vicinity or a non-threatening event that occurs in the common areas of the school.

Likely causes of Hold and Secure at schools:

Hold and Secure External to the School
- Bear or other wildlife on the property
- Community incident and it is determined by local and emergency authorities to keep students in school.
Hold and Secure Internal to the School
- Individual medical emergency. Hold and secure are initiated in these cases to protect the privacy of the individual experiencing the medical emergency.
- Behavioural emergency. Hold and secure are initiated in these cases to protect the privacy of the individual experiencing a behavioural emergency.
- Environmental incident (e.x. thunderstorm, extreme weather)

Depending on the cause of the Hold and Secure event, you may or may not receive communication from the School District.

External - You may receive a communication for Hold and Secure External to the School events (e.x. a bear is on site, gas main break, etc).

Internal - The School District may send a notification of a Hold and Secure event internal to the school. In the event that it is an individual or behavioural emergency the District will not send a notification to protect the privacy of the individual experiencing a medical or behavioural emergency.

A lockdown procedure protects staff and students from a threat inside the building such as an intruder. Activating lockdown quickly will potentially save lives, reduce injuries, and will assist police and other emergency responders in dealing with the situation effectively. The RCMP may also call a lockdown procedure if an incident is occurring within the direct vicinity of the school and it is unsafe to release the students.

Likely causes of a lockdown:

Possession or perceived threat of a weapon or replica in a school.
Verbal or written threat to kill or injure someone in the school.
Unwelcome intruder threatening harm in the school.
Gang related intimidation or violence in the school.
If directed by RCMP due to a community threat.

The School District will strive to provide as much information that is known at the time while also protecting the privacy of the individuals involved in the emergency situation.

If there ever is a major emergency, we ask for your help in the following ways:

Please do not telephone the school. The lines must be open for emergency calls.
Do not come to the school until which time you are notified that students are being dismissed as this causes unnecessary crowds which can impact emergency response.
When it is appropriate to do so, please walk to school and do not drive. The school access routes and entrances must be clear for emergency vehicles.
A student will ONLY be dismissed if a parent/guardian or contact person previously identified by a parent comes to pick up the child (Student Release Form Elementary; Student Release Form Secondary). The parent or designated guardian must report to the office or designated area to sign out the child. Please make sure all of your emergency contact information is up-to-date.
The school district will communicate with families by sending emails, posting notices on the website, and through our School Guide App. Check your email and/or the school district website for notices and critical information.
Make sure that you are signed up for emails at your school.