K–12 School Safety Event Planning Training

This two-hour course prepares K–12 administrators, school safety teams, and event organizers to plan and manage school events (e.g., graduations, sporting events, holiday presentations, school carnivals, etc.) safely and effectively by integrating prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery principles into every stage of event operations. Participants learn how to build comprehensive event safety frameworks that align with the district’s existing Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) and Comprehensive School Safety Plan (CSSP), ensuring all scheduled events—such as assemblies, athletic games, graduations, dances, and community gatherings—are conducted with a coordinated safety strategy in place.
 
Drawing on national standards and best practices from the U.S. Department of Education, FEMA, CISA, and the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS⁴), this training walks participants through pre-event hazard assessments, command and control structures, and emergency action planning consistent with NIMS/ICS protocols. Attendees explore how to collaborate with law enforcement, fire, EMS, and local emergency management to form unified safety committees and incident management teams for large or high-risk gatherings.
 
Key topics include risk and threat assessment, access control and perimeter protection, traffic and crowd management, severe weather planning, reunification procedures, and public communication strategies. The training also introduces the systems-based, layered security model recommended by CISA, helping schools strengthen their outer perimeter, building perimeter, and interior controls to create multiple lines of defense during special events.
 
This training will introduce you to the following:
Developing and integrating event-specific emergency response and communication plans.
Identifying and mitigating common hazards associated with large gatherings.
Applying ICS and NIMS principles to organize roles, command structures, and resource coordination.
Coordinating with local public safety agencies for joint planning and exercises.
Implementing layered physical and procedural security controls that align with federal guidance and district policy.
 
Through real-world case examples and tabletop scenarios, participants apply these frameworks to evaluate vulnerabilities in their own facilities, coordinate with mutual-aid partners, and establish clear lines of authority and communication. The course emphasizes proactive prevention and early intervention—focusing on planning, staffing, signage, and communication practices that minimize confusion and liability when incidents occur.