EXAMPLE 3: Evacuate

Scenario: An unknown cause has resulted in thick smoke in the middle school. Students successfully evacuate to the football field.

Considerations: Because it is still an active fire response and investigation, the decision is made to transport the students to a nearby high school for reunification.

Unified Command: Because it is an active fire event, the fire department would lead Unified Command at the middle school site.

Reunification Incident Command: At the reunification site, a command structure is established to manage the reunification.

Joint Information Center: Because it is an active fire event, the fire department PIO would be the primary press representative. The school or district PIO would be in the JIC, communicating with the PIO at the reunification site.

Notifications: Parents and media are notified that the school has been evacuated. Additional notifications are made to parents on the location of the reunification site once students are in route or at the site.

Police Role in Reunification: While the school is an active fire scene, the school requests assistance from law enforcement. Officers are assigned to the reunification site.

Evacuate Lifecycle

• Parents begin to arrive outside of the perimeter.
• The media arrive on scene.
• Internet, WiFi, and cell services are intermittent or unresponsive.
• Police secure the reunification site.
• District mobilizes Reunification Team.
• Buses are deployed and students are transported to the reunification site.
• Parents are notified of site location.
• The Standard Reunification Method is utilized.