1. Purpose and Scope
This Emergency Operations Plan provides a comprehensive framework for responding to flooding incidents across New York City Public Schools. The plan addresses flooding from multiple potential sources including severe weather events, plumbing system failures, and external water intrusion.
Designed to protect life safety while maintaining critical school operations, it establishes clear protocols for incident response, communication, and recovery. The scope encompasses all phases of flood emergencies - from early detection and warning through response and full restoration of normal operations. Particular attention is given to maintaining educational continuity while ensuring the physical and emotional safety of students and staff during disruptive flood events.
2. Key Objectives
The plan's primary objectives focus on protecting life safety while minimizing disruption to the educational mission.
- Safety & Security: Ensuring safe and secure school environments through proper flood mitigation and evacuation procedures when necessary.
- Communication: Establishing reliable communication systems to keep all stakeholders informed during emergencies.
- Instructional Continuity: Maintaining instructional continuity, whether through in-person, relocated, or remote learning.
- Essential Services: Sustaining student support services, ensuring uninterrupted nutrition services, preserving essential technology infrastructure, and maintaining payroll, HR, and core administrative functions.
3. Roles and Responsibilities
- Decision-Making Authority: The Chancellor or Superintendent retains ultimate authority for all significant operational changes, including school closures, relocations, and transitions to alternative instructional models.
- Incident Commander: Oversees the comprehensive response effort through activation and management of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC).
- Facility Teams: Conduct damage assessments, implement protective measures, and coordinate with utility providers.
- Operations Staff: Manage evacuation procedures and relocation logistics.
- Logistics Team: Ensures continuity of essential services including food provision and technology support.
- Public Information Officer (PIO): Coordinates all internal and external communications using standardized messaging protocols.
4. Response Procedures
- Initial Response:
- Activation of emergency teams upon flood detection or warning.
- Facility personnel assess the source and severity of flooding and implement protective measures (e.g., water shutoff, equipment safeguarding).
- Building Response Teams evaluate evacuation needs based on real-time conditions.
- Ongoing Operations:
- Implementation of appropriate measures, from establishing safe zones within the building to full relocation when necessary.
- Maintenance of meal service through alternative means.
- Transition to an alternate site or remote learning if physical facilities become unavailable.
- Recovery Phase:
- Comprehensive damage assessment and coordinated cleanup efforts.
- Thorough safety verification before reopening affected facilities.
5. Communication Plan
A multi-layered communication strategy ensures timely and accurate information reaches all stakeholders.
- Immediate alerts to staff utilize PA systems and group messaging platforms.
- Families receive notifications through robocalls, NYCSA emails, and social media updates.
- The Public Information Office serves as the central hub for coordinating messages with external partners.
- The plan mandates quarterly verification of all contact information and uses pre-approved messaging templates to ensure consistent, reliable communication.
6. Relocation and Resources
- Each district maintains an updated inventory of pre-identified relocation sites.
- Transportation coordination occurs through the Office of Pupil Transportation, with special accommodation for students with disabilities.
- Relocation sites are equipped to maintain educational programming and support services.
- Specific protocols are in place for tracking attendance and ensuring student safety during relocation, with designated staff responsible for maintaining accurate records.
7. Training and Preparedness
- Annual training for designated school-based staff covers response protocols and roles.
- Drills simulate various flood scenarios, including practice of evacuation routes.
- Quarterly verification of emergency contact information.
- Periodic assessments of building vulnerabilities are conducted by facility teams, who implement preventive measures where possible.
8. After-Action Review
Following any significant flood incident:
- The Office of Emergency Planning and Response will convene a debrief session within 72 hours.
- The review examines communication timelines, decision-making processes, and overall response.
- Findings inform annual plan updates conducted in collaboration with the Division of Operations, ensuring continuous improvement of response capabilities.