Ann Arbor Public Schools Conducts Training for Administrators and Staff to Prepare for Emergencies

District also develops new emergency plans for schools

ANN ARBOR, MI -- June 2, 2009 -- Ann Arbor Public School’s administrators and staff have completed emergency plans and training to protect students in case of an emergency. Prepared Response, Inc. assisted the district with creating a new district emergency management and communications plan, site-specific school emergency response plans and emergency preparedness training for district administrators and staff. Prepared Response also completed security and vulnerability assessments at 35 AAPS locations to determine district and site-specific vulnerabilities and risks. AAPS staff also received training on completing future assessments, thus enhancing the district’s risk assessment program sustainability. The consulting and training was conducted over a 12 month period and was funded by a grant from the federal government.

“The safety of students and staff at Ann Arbor Public Schools is our number one concern,” said Superintendent Dr. Todd Roberts. “By re-evaluating and updating the district and individual school crisis plans and conducting extensive training throughout the district, our administrators and staff are now even more prepared for an emergency at our district’s schools.”

“Prepared Response has worked closely with Ann Arbor Public Schools over the past year and it is clear the district is committed to creating a safe learning environment for students,” said Jim Finnell, President and CEO of Prepared Response. “By providing the staff and administrators with the tools they need to prepare for and respond to emergencies, the district will be better prepared for any crisis in its schools.”

Prepared Response has provided on-site emergency preparedness consulting and training for over 3,000 school campuses across the country. In addition, the company’s Rapid Responder® crisis management system provides first responders with instant access to critical school information and has been successfully used for emergencies ranging from bomb threats to a school shooting incident. Rapid Responder is the only campus crisis management system certified by the U.S. federal government as “Qualified Anti-Terrorism Technology” and is endorsed by the National Sheriffs’ Association. Rapid Responder is being used in 15 states with over 380 school districts and more than 600 public safety agencies.