1. Purpose and Scope
This Emergency Operations Plan establishes comprehensive protocols for responding to power outages in New York City Public Schools, with the primary goals of ensuring student and staff safety, maintaining critical operations, and minimizing disruptions to learning.
The plan covers all phases of outage response from initial incident assessment through recovery, addressing both short-term and extended power loss scenarios. It integrates with existing emergency protocols while providing specific guidance for electrical system failures, including procedures for communication, facility management, and continuity of essential services.
2. Key Objectives
The plan prioritizes core objectives during power outage emergencies:
- Safety & Security: Maintaining safe and secure school environments through proper lighting, functional security systems, and clear evacuation routes when necessary.
- Communication: Establishing reliable communication channels to keep staff, students, families, and emergency responders informed.
- Educational Continuity: Continuing educational programming through alternative delivery methods when possible.
- Essential Services: Sustaining student support services, ensuring uninterrupted meal service, maintaining critical technology infrastructure, and preserving essential administrative functions including payroll and HR operations.
3. Roles and Responsibilities
- Decision-Making Authority: The Chancellor or Superintendent will determine next steps regarding school closures, early dismissals, building relocations, or transitions to remote learning.
- Incident Command Structure:
- Incident Commander: Oversees overall response and EOC activation.
- Operations Team: Handles facility assessments, generator deployment, and evacuation coordination.
- Logistics Team: Manages technology support and alternative food service implementation.
- Public Information Officer (PIO): Coordinates all external communications and media relations.
4. Response Procedures
- Short-Term Outages:
- Activate emergency lighting and assess system impacts.
- Contact utilities for restoration estimates.
- Implement classroom safety protocols (securing instructional areas, restricting elevator use).
- Extended Outages (exceeding several hours):
- Evaluate early dismissal or relocation needs.
- Adjust transportation through OPT.
- Implement satellite meal service and potential transition to remote learning.
- Building Response Teams evaluate needs based on real-time conditions.
- Multi-Day Outages:
- Activate full remote learning protocols.
- Utilize pre-identified relocation sites.
- Implement comprehensive food service contingency plans.
5. Communication Plan
The communication framework begins with immediate alerts to school administrators and coordination with utility providers.
- A tiered notification system ensures timely information reaches staff and families through:
- DOE emergency alert system (robocalls, NYCSA emails and texts)
- Official website and social media updates
- 311 information line coordination
- Traditional media outreach
- All messaging follows pre-approved templates to ensure consistency and accuracy.
6. Relocation and Resources
- Educational Continuity:
- Alternative location sites
- Remote learning activation procedures
- Alternative lesson delivery methods
- Device distribution plans for students in need
- Essential Services:
- Strategic generator deployment
- Implementation of cold meal service options
- Maintenance of critical building systems
- Procedures for maintaining student support services, special education accommodations, and health services
7. Training and Preparedness
Preparedness activities include:
- Annual tabletop exercises for divisional and district EOC designees.
- Biannual generator testing and maintenance conducted by facilities staff.
- Regular emergency protocol training for all designated school personnel.
- Quarterly verification and updates of staff and family contact information.
- Annual audits of emergency lighting and power systems by the Division of School Facilities.
8. After-Action Review
Following any significant power outage incident:
- The Office of Emergency Planning and Response will convene a debrief session within 72 hours.
- The review examines communication timelines, facility system performance, decision-making processes, and community response.
- Findings inform annual plan updates conducted in collaboration with the Division of Operations, ensuring continuous improvement.