WESTMORELAND COUNTY HOMELAND SECURITY ADVISORY SYSTEM CHECKLIST
SCHOOLS
LOW
Low Risk of Terrorist Attacks
1. If not already done, develop written emergency plan to address all hazards including  plans to maintain the safety of students, staff, and faculty, as well as an emergency communication plan to notify parents in times of emergency.
2. Disseminate relevant information to families of children, staff and faculty.
3. Refine and exercise, as appropriate, preplanned protective measures.
4. Institutionalize a process to assure that all facilities and regulated areas are regularly assessed for vulnerabilities to terrorist attacks, and all reasonable measures are taken to mitigate these vulnerabilities.
5. Initiate offering American Red Cross " Masters of Disaster" curriculum for grades K-8 regarding emergency preparedness for natural disasters.
6. Review duties and responsibilities of crisis team members.
7. Discuss updates to school and local crisis plans with emergency responders.
8. Provide CPR and first aid training for staff.
9. Assess and update crisis plans and procedures.
10. Train faculty and staff on the HSAS and terrorism/ security awareness.
GUARDED
General Risk of Terrorist Attacks
ALL ACTIONS FROM PREVIOUS LEVEL, PLUS:
1. Be alert to suspicious activity and report it to proper authorities.
2. Conduct safety training/ emergency drills following school's written emergency plan for all grades.
3. Check communications with designated emergency response or command locations, ensure emergency communications plan is updated, and needed equipment is purchased.
4. Provide the public with any information that would strengthen its ability to act appropriately.
5. Review and upgrade plans and procedures.
6. Review emergency communications plan.
7. Inventory, test, and repair communications equipment.
8. Inventory and restock emergency supplies.
9. Conduct crisis training and drills.
10. Ensure staff and faculty are familiar with their assigned responsibilities during a disaster and are prepared to respond.
ELEVATED
Significant Risk of Terrorist Attacks
ALL ACTIONS FROM PREVIOUS LEVELS, PLUS:
1. Announce THREAT LEVEL to all employees and explain expected actions.
2. Inspect school buildings and grounds for suspicious activities.
3. Be alert to suspicious activity and report it to proper authorities.
4. Increase surveillance of critical locations.
5. Coordinate emergency plans with nearby jurisdictions as appropriate.
6. Assess whether the precise characteristics of the threat require further refinement of preplanned protective measures.
7. Implement, as appropriate, contingency and emergency response plans.
8. Ensure emergency supplies are stocked and ready.
9. Review crisis response plans with school staff.
10. Test alternative communication capabilities.
11. Restrict vehicle parking close to the buildings.
HIGH
High Risk of Terrorist Attacks
ALL ACTIONS FROM PREVIOUS LEVELS, PLUS:
1. Announce THREAT LEVEL to all employees and explain expected actions.
2. Be alert to suspicious activity and report it to proper authorities.
3. Coordinate necessary security efforts with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies and other appropriate organizations.
4. Take additional precautions at public events and possibly consider alternative venues or event cancellation.
5. Prepare to execute contingency procedures, such as moving to an alternate site or dispersing the workforce.
6. Discuss children's fears concerning possible terrorist attacks.
7. Restrict threatened facility access to essential personnel only.
8. Assign staff to monitor entrances at all times.
9. Assess facility security measures.
10. Update parents on preparedness efforts.
11. Update media on preparedness efforts.
12. Address student fears concerning possible terrorist attacks.
13. Place school and district crisis response teams on standby alert status.
14. Control building entrances to prevent unauthorized personnel from entering.
15. Conduct periodic inspections of building facilities and HVAC systems for potential indicators/ irregularities.
16. Ensure security personnel are alerted and that security systems are functioning properly.
SEVERE
Severe Risk of Terrorist Attacks
ALL ACTIONS FROM PREVIOUS LEVELS, PLUS:
1. Announce THREAT LEVEL to all employees and explain expected actions.
2. Listen to TV/ radio for current information/ instructions.
3. Be alert to suspicious activity and report it to proper authorities.
4. Close school if recommended to do so by appropriate authorities.
5. 100% identification check (I.e., drivers licenses retained at front office) and escort of anyone entering school other than students, staff, and faculty.
7. Increase or redirect personnel to address critical emergency needs.
8. Assign emergency response personnel and pre-position and mobilize specially trained teams or resources.
9. Monitor, redirect, or constrain transportation systems.
10. Close public or government buildings as required.
11. Activate crisis plan.
12. Restrict school access to essential personnel.
13.Cancel outside activities and field trips if recommended to do so by proper authorities.
14. Frequently check building exteriors and parking areas.