TRAGEDY RESPONSE :

1
TRAGEDY RESPONSE

• Lessons Learned
• From School Violence

2
What We LearnedSchool Crisis

• Disrupts our coping and problem-solving
  capabilities
• Destroys our sense of safety and security
• Results in a heightened sense of vulnerability
  and helplessness

3
Crisis Plan

• Prevent chaos from escalating into a catastophic
  situation
• Have One
• Make Sure Roles are Clearly Defined
  Organizational Role/Rank is in Place
• Hold Dry Runs Rehearsals
• Know when you need more help

4
The District and the City

• District immediate response to school
• Release of students
• Crime Scene - immediate security of school,
  restricted access
• School District PIO and Fire PIO coordinated
  release of information at scene
• Crisis communication center at City Hall- City
  PIO/City Manger/District Admin/

5
Communications

• Identify School Officials -Not a Time for
  Egos
• One Phone Number live
• Dont Chase Rumors
• Move Communications Center AWAY from Crime Scene
• Jointly release information - District, City,
  County, Medical officials

6
Media

• No Media on Campus
• Set Clear and Strict Boundaries
• 57-minute emergency event
• 7-day media event
• Use the Media to Disseminate Important
  Information

7
County, State and Federal Assistance

• County network of trained crisis personnel
• State Department of Education
• US Department of Education
• Activation, Response by
• National Organization for Victims Assistance
• Red Cross
• Contacts with White House

8
Collaboration

• Counselors from other districts
• Community counselors and therapists
• Hospitals
• Churches
• National Organization for Victims Assistance
• Red Cross
• Massage therapists comfort dogs
• Businesses (donated food, teddy bears, books)

9
In the Aftermath of a Crisis

• Decrease the potential long-term negative effects
  of the crisis
• Help parents understand their childrens reaction
  to the crisis.
• Help staff deal with their reactions.
• Help students adjust to mental/physical reactions.

10
Re-entry to School

• Open House on Memorial Day
• No media were allowed
• Multiple "support" rooms
• Additional counselors through school year
• Uniformed police on campus through remainder of
  school year

11
Healing

• Critical Incident Debriefing
• Public Expressions of Shared Grief
• Faith Organizations
• Community Support
• Thurston Healing Fund
• One-year Anniversary
• Celebration of Hope and Healing

12
Long-Term Follow Up1 - 3 Years

• Posttraumatic Stress training for staff
• National/Local Trauma Specialists
• Additional counselors at THS
• 2 during first year
• 1 additional until all students graduated
• Thurston Assistance Center