It is stressful to consider an emergency at your facility. However, ensuring that you have fast access to up-to-date facility information can bring peace of mind. It is vital to document information about your facility and make sure that is readily available to managers and emergency responders so they can quickly stabilize a potentially dangerous situation. Below we have compiled a list of important first steps to improving safety on your school campus. 

We also want to remind you that the SchoolSafety.gov  website provides federal money to help schools and districts create safe and supportive learning environments. Take the Grants Finder Tool Quiz and explore the Grants Library to discover the money you can use to update your school safety.

First steps to improving security at your facilities:
 
1. Create a site-plan of your facility and /or campus. Site plans should include buildings on the property, access roads, parking areas, building entrances, the location of emergency and first aid equipment, and the location of controls for utilities and protection systems. Instructions for operating all systems and equipment should also be available to emergency responders.

2. Develop emergency plans for multiple scenarios. Emergency plans should include:

• Evacuation routes in case of a fire or the delivery of a suspicious package. 
• A “shelter” plan in case of a tornado. A “shelter” room should be a room(s) in the strongest part of the building – possibly a basement or interior room with reinforced masonry construction. 
• A “shelter-in-place” plan in the instance of an outside threat such as a chemical spill or act of terrorism. A “shelter in place” plan should include how to quickly shut down the facility’s air handling system and the location of a room without windows in the core of the building.
• A “lockdown” plan in the instance of an act of violence in the workplace. Identify a room(s) without windows within the facility where employees can close, lock, and barricade the door.

 3. Store your documents and drawings in an online e-Library which allows fast access to emergency information to both facility managers and first responders.

AerieHub is a patented building information software that stores facility documents such as floor plans, life safety drawings, emergency plans, and O&M manuals and makes them instantly accessible from any smart device. Aerie can also help you create documents and drawings showing floor plans, evacuation routes, safe zones, and the location of emergency equipment.

**For more information on AerieHub, be on the lookout for our upcoming Lunch and Learn, “Don’t Get Left Behind in a Digital World”.