School and University Preparedness

Schools and Universities

Lancaster county is home to 18 public school districts and more than 300 private, religious, and Amish schools. There are also more than 6 colleges in the county made up of private and public schools.

Schools are required to Emergency Operation Plans, EOP, on an annual basis. This outlines their plan to maintain the safety and security of students, faculty, staff, and visitors on its campus. The plan reviews how the emergency protection, mitigation, prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery procedures are relevant to natural, technological and human-caused disasters. By having your plan on file, you are not only helping your school, but you will be helping the First Responders that may come to your facility in times of crisis. Filing your plan with Lancaster County EMA also helps our office gain a wider perspective of the communities needs. 

Pennsylvania Public School Code of 1949, Chapter 10 issued under section 1302.1-A, outlines the emergency and nonemergency response and preparedness requirements for public schools. 

Resources:

• PEMA School EOP Model
• Parent-Student Reunification
• Evacuation Functions
• Emergency Notification Pre-Scripted Messages
• Pennsylvania Code Safe Schools

Trainings:

• Planning for the Needs of Children in Disaster
• Emergency Planning- Identify the purpose and components of an emergency operations plan.

Preparedness Information for Students:

• Prepare with Pedro the Penguin
• Ready Kids
• Kids Games

Additional information can be found on Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency's School and Child Care Safety page. 

Submit your school safety plan here!