The days when schools operated with little or no critical incident are over .Things have changed within the last decade and schools have to be more proactive and even more so in the area of critical incidents management. All well thinking institutions should have in place a critical incident management plan since they are the responsible individuals in whose care rests the lives and welfare of students, teaching staff administrative staff and ancillary staff. Jamaican schools, not to be left behind are required to have a critical management plan for each institution. This plan is necessary to minimize causalities, trauma and risk to lives and property.
A critical incident may be defined as an incident which causes disruption to the organization, creates significant danger or risk, and traumatically affects individuals within them.
Every organization depending on its physical structure and geographical location may have its own unique critical incidents pattern, however there will be some that are universal. Listed below are the ones most likely to affect the school most of Jamaica’s schools.
- Fire,
- Flood
- Earthquake
- Explosion
- Death of staff or student
- Destruction of or the whole school
- Break –in and vandalism
- Loss of student on excursion
- Student or staff held hostage
- Student and staff witnessing an injury or death
- Violence between students or assault on staff
- Sexual assault
- Student or staff suicide
- Natural or other disaster within the community
- Unfavorable media attention
- Extremes of temperature
It should be understood that managing critical incidents within the organization cannot be left up to one single individual. Managing them will be more effective if the concerted input of major stake holders is solicited and incorporated. For a critical incident management plan to be effective it should encompass these six major areas
- · A critical incident committee
- · Management plan for evacuation
- · Plan of expected response
- · Documentation of recovery time
- · Evaluation guidelines of management plan
- · Ways and guidelines for identifying individuals affected by the critical incident Critical Incident Management Committee
Because this committee holds the vital position of ensuring that everything runs smoothly in case a critical incident should occurs ,the programme must encompass guidelines to direct individuals on the procedure when setting up this committee also give guidelines on its functions and duties.
Function
- · The first function is to assist the principal (who is the first and foremost accountable personnel) in the prevention and management of critical incidences within the school.
- · The critical incident committee must have a team leader who will not be the principal.
- · The members of the committee may be made up of any member of the school and the local
- Community, but must include the principal, designated staff members, guidance counselors and students where possible. These individuals will have to respond during a critical incident.
- Duties
- · Assessment of hazards and situations which may require emergency actions.
- · Analysis of the requirement and develop an effective management plan to address each hazard including incident prevention.
- · Passing on information to the relevant personnel.
- · Organizing and implementing of practicing drills to test the plan.
- · Assists principal with all aspects of the implementation.
- · Arrange staff development seminars where necessary.
- · Assessment of risk should be a priority, identifying the nature and range to which students and staff may be exposed.
- · Have a list of useful contacts to include regional office, police, fire, hospital and community service contacts that will form a support system.
