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School Tragedies A Perspective on Lessons Learned

School Tragedies A Perspective on Lessons Learned. Rick J. Kaufman, APR Crisis Response Team Leader Columbine High School Tragedy. A Perspective on Lessons Learned. A Visual Remembrance A Time to Remember, A Time to Hope Dispelling the Columbine Myths The Truth Behind What Happened

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School Tragedies A Perspective on Lessons Learned

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  1. School TragediesA Perspective on Lessons Learned Rick J. Kaufman, APR Crisis Response Team Leader Columbine High School Tragedy

  2. A Perspective on Lessons Learned • A Visual RemembranceA Time to Remember, A Time to Hope • Dispelling the Columbine MythsThe Truth Behind What Happened • What Did We Learn?

  3. A Perspective on Lessons Learned • A Leadership TestResponse defines the organization; be credible • A Communication TestFoundation for planning, response & recovery • A Professional TestEmerging as a leader & key adviser

  4. A Perspective on Lessons Learned In preparation… • If you start off behind, you will stay behind • Being proactive only keeps you even • Identify chain of command for decision-making, what to do if it breaks down • Site, district plans must have contingencies • Crisis plans must be specific, automatic, tested

  5. A Perspective on Lessons Learned In preparation… • Establish inter-agency protocols in advance • Provide parents/students advance notice of crisis plan, their role in the process • Know who to call; trust in the folks who have the expertise in dealing with crisis

  6. A Perspective on Lessons Learned During the crisis… • Mobilize response team to shield the site, students & staff from outside forces • Make call for assistance before it’s too late • Understand it’s not “business as usual” • Act in short-term, think in long-term • You need soldiers, generals on front lines • Know key messages and stick to them!

  7. A Perspective on Lessons Learned During the crisis… • Don’t let media dominate your time, attention • Stay focused on target audiences • Internal communication is more important • View crisis from “outside in” to gauge public • Anticipate external political, personal agendas • Prepare for ripple effect and copycats

  8. A Perspective on Lessons Learned During the crisis… • Maintain active rumor control • Balance privacy rights of individuals (FERPA) with public’s right to know • Understand law enforcement have other standards for releasing information that may be protected by FERPA, organizational policies • Be firm on media access to facilities, people; no favorites

  9. A Perspective on Lessons Learned In the aftermath… • Crisis has long-term life • Remember healing processes and triggering events • Brace for blame • Continuously update crisis plan; learn from other situations • Train new staff immediately • Retrain all staff annually; don’t forget students

  10. A Perspective on Lessons Learned In the aftermath… • Crisis not only creates character, but reveals it • Seek opportunities to return to normal • Seek closure and commemorate • Take care of yourself and your team • Bring in reinforcements

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