During the planning process, community partners consider what might happen before, during, and after an incident. They review all available information, including prior events, lessons learned, stakeholder concerns, legal requirements, vulnerabilities, and other information.
The team considers a range of options for assessing and mitigating vulnerabilities, responding to an incident, and recovering from an incident and selects the strategies that will be most effective in helping avert danger or minimize consequences.
After taking the time needed to assess and strategize, the team is ready to record these decisions and procedures in the planning document.
It is important to get buy-in and approval of the plan and to train others to implement the plan. After informing others about the plan, the next critical step is to conduct periodic drills and other exercises with students, congregation members, staff, volunteers, and community responders.
Staying prepared is a continuous process—not just a one-time planning effort or single drill. Preparedness requires a commitment to keeping the plan updated, practicing the procedures, and making improvements based on lessons learned.
IS-360: Preparing for Mass Casualty Incidents: A Guide for Schools, Higher Education, and Houses of Worship
Lesson 6: Staying Prepared: Communicating and Exercising the Plan