ASTM Int'l Homeland Security Committee Invites Participation in Proposed School Preparedness Guide

April 6, 2007 // Published as a news service by IHS

ASTM WK8908 will cover concepts, principles and best practices for all-hazards integrated emergency management programs in preparedness, prevention, mitigation, response and recovery for schools and school districts in preparation for, mitigation against, response to and recovery from a natural or man-caused incident.

Types of situations that will be addressed in ASTM WK8908 include all hazards, such as school shootings, hazardous material threats, natural disasters and other risks.

ASTM WK8908 is under the jurisdiction of Subcommittee E54.02 on Emergency Preparedness, Training and Procedures.

"It is our hope that this proposed standard will provide a compendium of the best practices, resources and knowledge regarding school system (kindergarten through 12th grade) planning in emergency operations and response," said Joe Adams, one of three co-chairs of the WK8908 task group and director of emergency preparedness, NW Georgia Health District 1-1.

"This is obviously needed, not only in the United States, but throughout the world," said Rick Tobin, task group co-chair and president and CEO, TAO Emergency Management Consulting.

Kay Goss, another co-chair of the task group and senior advisor for public safety and homeland security government solutions, Electronic Data Systems Corp., said, "The proposed guidance, as we envision it, would empower school officials to take action they deem suitable, given their risks and needs, and give them a checklist of steps to take, developed by a team of educators and emergency managers, all experienced professionals in their fields, with additional input from a broad range of school stakeholders, including administrators, teachers, students, parents and members of surrounding communities."

While ASTM WK8908 focuses on grades K-12, Adams said that the task group is also considering other types of schools, colleges and universities and may address these types of schools in future standards. Goss said she sees the upcoming guidance as "short, simple and profound, covering all hazards and all phases of emergency management to support our school personnel, students and parents in their efforts to keep our children and themselves safe and secure for the most positive possible learning environment."

The task group is particularly interested in receiving input for ASTM WK8908 from emergency preparedness and emergency management officials from throughout the world, as well as from school officials and students.

Source: ASTM International.