Safety Training

We continually work to enhance and improve our preparations for emergencies whether it is an intruder, a natural catastrophe or pandemic. School districts in DuPage County are currently being trained in the National Incident Management System (NIMS). This federal system under Homeland Security Mandate #5 passed in 2004 requires the development of an integrated system to respond to emergencies and disasters. Although public schools are usually the recipient of first responder services, this model brings the school along with local government into a system of responding to emergencies as a partner. Through the leadership of the DuPage ROE, county schools are all being trained in the concepts of NIMS and the Incident Command System (ICS) so that we all may respond to crisis effectively when needed.

As local districts are trained they will then be allowed to access the integrated federal, state and local emergency communication network (MNET). This will allow better communication among all agencies. This will enhance our ability to safe guard our students. The new system should be installed during the summer of 2007.