Danielle Ross
Emergency Management Facilitator
Danielle.Ross@cherokeek12.net
Emergency Preparation & Management
As a parent, you can feel confident that the Cherokee County School District has taken proactive steps to protect the safety of all students and staff.
- The School District’s emergency response protocols are in compliance with Homeland Security Presidential Directive-5 mandating National Incident Management System (NIMS) training for critical staff and all school administrators.
- NIMS incident command principles have been incorporated into the School Safety Plans.
- Each year, a school’s School Safety Plan is updated with input from teachers, parents, school police officers and others in accordance with the required criteria established by Georgia law. This plan is reviewed by the CCSD School Police Department, and approved by the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) every two years.
- All schools and district facilities have intrusion and fire alarm systems that are monitored by a third-party provider 24 hours per day.
- All schools have digital, closed circuit camera systems that monitor both internal and external locations on campus.
- Every school conducts fire, tornado and emergency crisis drills periodically throughout the year.
- Panic/Distress Alert devises have been placed throughout the every school to notify the school district police department when an immediate assistance is needed.
- Controlled Electronic Access has been installed at many of the schools.
- All schools have a visitor check-in procedure and require all parents, visitors and others conducting business on a school campus to sign in and wear a badge.
- The School District has the ability to activate a Crisis Command Center that will work in conjunction with local public safety field commands to facilitate timely information related to student/staff populations, facility/campus layout, transportation and reunification.
- The School District has the ability to activate a Reunification Team that will work to ensure that students and staff are accounted for during a major emergency or crisis and reunited with designated family members.
School Safety Plans & Required Drills
As mentioned, each school has a School Safety Plan that is updated annually. This plan establishes guidelines and procedures for school-based staff in the event of such occurrences as illnesses/injuries, fires, severe thunderstorms, tornados, hazardous materials, utility failures, bomb threats, bomb threats and armed intruders. While all school-based staff are aware of the guidelines and procedures, each school has an Emergency Response Team (ERT) comprised of designated school personnel who have assigned responsibilities with the principal, serving as the incident commander.
During the school year, each school is required to conduct monthly fire drills pursuant to the Life Safety Code, 11-7-1. These drills are recorded and submitted to the Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner’s website. In February and November, a severe weather drill may be held in lieu of, or in addition to the monthly fire drill. Additionally, a school lockdown drill is conducted each semester.