One of the most common questions that come up when speaking to schools and other organizations about reunification is, “What do we do when XYZ occurs?” or “Can we do that?” In response, we usually look at them, put our hands up, and shrug. That’s because we can guide you towards a best practice, but you need to tailor it for your community. Every plan, every location, every situation is different.
After shrugging and looking at them, we usually draw a big “P” in the air or write it on a board. The big “P” means policy. Your organization must have a policy that answers those questions or, at a minimum, provides guidance on what to do when the solution or process is unclear. Often, a policy is already in place that addresses the issue at hand, but the audience is unaware of it. When that is the case, it is not a policy development problem but rather a training problem. Discovering this gap during training or a discussion is terrific. It means you just uncovered an opportunity to improve your process.
Another opportunity to discover gaps in policy is through exercises and other training events. When you are running the training session and something comes up, write it down. After-action reviews (AARs) will also highlight areas of uncertainty. Use those points to train the team on existing policies or develop new ones. Having some decision-makers present at these events or the follow-on policy development sessions is a good idea. Individuals such as school safety or security directors, superintendents, etc., and legal representatives can guide you through what you can do based on local regulations and policy.
Remember, preparedness is a winding path, not a straight line. You will continually edit, adjust, and refine your plan. It is never done. There is no end.
