Guidelines for Responding to a Terrorist Attack
Chemical, Biological, and/or Radiological Incidents

These guidelines for responding to a chemical, biological, and/or radiological incident are based on those developed by the Montgomery County Department of School Safety and Security in conjunction with the Fire and Explosive Investigation Section of the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services.

The new federal threat-warnings prompted the development of procedures for staff to follow in the event of a chemical, biological, and/or radiological incident. Nonetheless, staff were advised that the guidelines would not address every contingency.

It is critical to understand the importance of cooperation in any crisis. Our Lady of Lourdes will make every effort to adapt and respond to any specific incident in order to protect our children. It is expected and essential that all parents, students, and school personnel work cooperatively to maintain the safest environment possible for the entire student body.

The On-Site Emergency Team (OSET) for Our Lady of Lourdes School is:

Linda Merkel
Amy Moore
David Long

Preparing for an Incident

We will hold periodic staff and OSET meetings to discuss the school's readiness to respond to emergencies. The following security measures will better prepare staff for an emergency:

• All school-based staff members are familiar with the school's Emergency Action Plan and Code Red and Code Blue procedures.
• All OSET members know and understand their primary and secondary roles and responsibilities.
• The school's administrative team is familiar with the communications protocol for notifying schools of an emergency.
• Building services staff, building administrators, and OSET members know the locations and procedures to shut off the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems (HVAC) and utilities. HVAC and utility cutoff locations must be clearly marked.
• The school's emergency generators are regularly tested.
• The special needs of students and staff are being addressed as identified in the school emergency/crisis plan.
• Parent reunification plans are in place.
• Student emergency information cards (yellow cards) are up-to-date and include any additional adults who are authorized to pick up students on behalf of parents or guardians.
• Any suspicious situation is reported to local law enforcement officials.

Responding to an Incident

During an emergency, sharing accurate and timely information with public safety officials will allow us to obtain further, appropriate direction and instructions from such officials. However, the following general actions are to be taken immediately:

1. Implement Code Blue procedures, activate the OSET and school's emergency crisis plan.
2. Assess the evolving nature and scope of the emergency, and implement Code Red procedures if necessary.
3. Report the incident to public safety operators at 911; provide any and all pertinent information.
4. Call public safety operators at 911 to report illnesses or injuries requiring emergency medical attention.
5. Bring into the main building all students and staff who are outdoors.
6. Close and lock all windows and exterior doors.
7. To reduce the risk of potential exposure to students, staff, and visitors, administrators must ensure that no one exits or enters the building unless directed otherwise by public safety officials and/or MCPS officials.
8. Shut down HVAC systems.
9. Hold students and staff in their current location to ensure that all are accounted for.
10. Contact the Archdiocesan Pastoral Center as soon as possible with incident details and periodic updates.
11. Anticipate further information and instructions from public safety officials.

Code Blue

An emergency/crisis exists at or near a Montgomery County Public School (MCPS) facility. All students must be accounted for and under supervision. Administrators may activate the OSET and establish a command post when appropriate. Person(s) authorized to call a Code Blue:
Administrators or their designee will notify staff and students via the PA system when a Code Blue is in effect. An "age-appropriate" announcement of a Code Blue should include a brief description of the nature and location of the incident

Code Blue: Specific Actions for Staff

1. When the administrator announces a Code Blue, staff will take attendance to account for all students in an instructional area. Report any discrepancies to an administrator/designee when safe to do so. Wait for further instructions.
2. Close and lock exterior doors. Post a staff or OSET member at the front door to ensure that only appropriate movement occurs in and out of the school.
3. Teachers may open windows for ventilation.
4. Classroom instruction may continue inside the building with controlled classroom changes, meaning that staff should supervise students in the hallways and between classrooms.
5. Classroom lockdown is not required, although an administrator/designee may activate OSET during a Code Blue via a PA announcement, depending on the situation (the nature of the emergency or potential threat). When it is not safe for students to change classes, bells should be turned off and students and staff should remain in their classrooms until directed otherwise by the administrator/designee.
6. Depending on the situation, staff who are supervising students outside may be asked to move them to a pre?determined place inside.
7. School lunch should continue with appropriate supervision by staff.

8. There are several major options regarding movement of students:

   1. Evacuate the building to the parking lot across Pearl Street, in lines by grade
   2. Assemble in the cafeteria, in lines by grade

   3. Assemble on the third floor

      1. Pre-K and K in the Library
      2. 1st and 2nd grades in the Art Room
      3. 3rd and 4th grades in the 4th-grade homeroom
      4. 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th grades in their respective homerooms

Code Red

Imminent danger exists to all staff and students. Staff and students must remain in their classroom or in a secured area. If students are in the hallways, they must quickly move to the nearest classroom or to a secure area, remain quiet and follow staff instructions. Staff should secure their immediate area and account for students. Students should also be kept away from doors and windows.

Important Definitions

• A chemical incident is defined as the release of toxic industrial chemicals and/or other agents that are capable of causing bodily harm or death.
• A biological incident is defined as the release of bacteria, viruses, and/or toxins that are capable of causing bodily harm or death.
• A radiological incident is defined as the release, exposure to, and/or dispersal of radioactive materials that are capable of causing bodily harm or death.
• Shelter-in-place means that students and staff must stay indoors, and is similar to the procedures used during Code Blue. Shelter-in-place can be used in weather-related emergencies; chemical, biological, or radiological incidents; and other emergencies. The nature and duration of the shelter-in-place will be determined by the emergency situation or at the direction of public safety officials and/or MCPS officials.