The Crawl Phase is the initial step in the Reunification Foundation’s training methodology. During this phase, schools establish a foundation for their reunification capabilities by concentrating on vital elements such as planning, team training, and resource acquisition.
A key objective of the Crawl Phase is to develop a comprehensive reunification plan. This involves bringing together all local stakeholders to form a reunification planning team, identifying primary and secondary reunification sites, and establishing procedures for transportation, traffic management, notification, and communication.
In addition to planning, the Crawl Phase emphasizes training school staff on their roles and responsibilities during a reunification event. This training usually includes workshops and presentations that address the reunification process, the Incident Command System (ICS), and the individual duties of team members.
Tabletop exercises are another valuable tool utilized in the Crawl Phase. These exercises create a low-stress environment for participants to discuss and apply the reunification plan to various scenarios. They help identify potential gaps in the plan and build confidence among team members.
The Crawl Phase also entails gathering the essential supplies and materials for a successful reunification. This may include reunification kits, communication equipment, and other resources required to support students and families during an event.
By the end of the Crawl Phase, schools should have a solid foundation for their reunification capabilities. They should have a well-developed plan, a trained team, and the necessary resources to advance to the next stage of the methodology. In summary, the Crawl Phase focuses on understanding the reunification process, creating your reunification plan, obtaining your reunification supplies, training your team on their roles, and familiarizing your team with your reunification materials.
