Educational Facilities Disaster and Crisis Management Guidebook.

PREPAREDNESS
Go Kits
“In 2005, the assessment teams were wellequipped
with digital cameras to provide visual
proof of damage before anything was
removed/repaired/installed. The 2004 experience
involved a lot of adrenalin and enthusiasm to
reopen schools, which at times limited the amount
of photographic documentation, and later muddled
the FEMA and insurance adjuster efforts in trying
to verify and validate claims. In 2005.we had a
whole lot of pictures!”
– Bob Proie
Orange County
School Board
Comprehensive school crisis prevention planning includes
coordinating with all individuals who will be involved if a crisis
occurs, conducting practice drills, and identifying security
needs.
Some of the tools that will be needed can be found in a Go Kit,
a portable box that contains important information such as
written procedures for an emergency or disaster. The following
components of a Go Kit make possible a thorough school and
community response to a crisis:
Aerial Photos of Campus
An aerial perspective of the campus and the
surrounding area is very helpful to all
agencies involved in a critical incident,
including police, fire, paramedic, and rescue
personnel. Your local municipality may be
able to provide you with an aerial photo of
your school and surrounding campus.
Because of Federal Emergency Management
Agency (FEMA) and insurance
documentation requirements, extensive
photos and digital images of damage prior to
cleanup and repair are critical. If a FEMA or
insurance claim is challenged, a picture is worth a thousand
words. After the storm, be sure to take pictures and document
damage BEFORE recovery efforts begin. Additionally, photos
should be taken of facilities and grounds prior to an event to
document conditions prior to the occurrence of damage.
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