The resources for developing a high-quality school EOP include guidance on emergency drills and plans, example planning documents, fillable templates and scenario-based exercises. Links to national resources are also included on this page. National resources include links to the Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools Technical Assistance Center, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency that all include additional examples, templates, interactive tools, guidelines, and training materials on emergency planning for all schools.
Find contact information for ODE school emergency operations planning staff or the regional emergency operations planning representative in your area. If you have questions about the program or would like information about our resources you can email us here at ODE.SSEM@ode.oregon.gov
The link above provides resources to help plan for specific threats and hazards that should be considered in any high-quality school EOP. Now included on that page are archived copies of our monthly newsletter, the Monthly Minute. ODE's resource page--School-level Communicable Disease Planning--is a centralized repository of guidance and resources to address challenges associated with communicable diseases.
The Wireless Panic Alarm Grant
The Wireless Panic Alarm Grant is open to School Districts that provide services to students during the regular school year. Applicants will be processed in the order they are received. Applications must be for the purchase and installation of wireless panic alert systems during the 23-25 biennium (ending June 30th, 2025). Applicants may request grant funds for every school used by students during the school year. School Districts will be reimbursed $2,000 per school in their district.
A Request for Information (RFI) has been issued for vendors that can provide a product or service that meets the expectations of this grant. A list has been generated from this RFI. Districts are not required to use a vendor from this list. The list is provided as a reference.
Vendor Responses to RFI for Wireless Panic Alarm Grant This document includes a list of vendors that have responded to the RFI for this grant and can provide a sufficient product or service.
Recipients may use the funds for the purchase and installation of wireless panic alarms. Requirements of such a system to be eligible for reimbursement:
- Wireless: panic alarm or system that can operate as a panic alarm must have a wireless activation feature such that a teacher or other staff member may be able to activate an alarm outside of a centralized location. The intent of such a system is so that a teacher or other staff member can activate an alarm immediately upon observation of an incident that requires emergency response so that both emergency responders are notified and the whole school can respond simultaneously.
- Emergency Response Notification: The panic alarm system, once activated, must be capable of notifying emergency response personnel (police and/or fire) through 911 dispatch.
- Whole School Notification: The panic alarm system must be capable of activating a school-wide alarm system or provide direct notification to the front office for the purposes of notifying the school campus of the emergency situation.
Districts that wish to apply for reimbursement or have questions about reimbursement for the purchase and installation of a wireless panic alarm system can email us here at ODE.SSEM@ode.oregon.gov to request a link for application.
Important Deadlines for the Wireless Panic Alarm Grant:
- Applications for work that has not yet been done: December 1st, 2024
- Applications for work that has already been done: April 30th, 2025
- Last day to complete work: June 30th, 2025
- Last day to submit claims in EGMS: August 15th, 2025
Upcoming Events
November Training and TA Sessions
What: The School Safety and Emergency Management program is hosting members from the Oregon Department of Education’s Health in Education team to discuss considerations for reviewing and updating Communicable Disease Management Plans in advance of winter weather. As the weather turns cold and students and staff huddle inside to stay warm, schools need to consider how to mitigate and respond to the potential spread of viruses and other contagions. SSEM staff will stay on after the training is complete to answer questions and connect with school personnel who would like follow-up assistance.
When: November 5th and 19th from 1:30pm to 2:30pm.
Who Should Attend: Any school administrator or staff member who would like training or assistance on planning for and managing communicable diseases.
Link to Register for Session #1: Registration page for November 5th at 1:30pm
Link to Register for Session #2: Registration page for November 19th at 1:30pm.
Project SERV Overview Briefing - Oregon
What: Please join the US Department of Education as they host an informational briefing on the School Emergency Response to Violence (Project SERV) program. Project SERV funds short-term education-related services for local educational agencies (LEAs) to help them recover from a violent or traumatic event (including major natural disasters) in which the learning environment has been disrupted.
In order for an LEA to qualify for funding, the organization needs to be able to demonstrate that the learning environment has been disrupted as the result of a significant, traumatic event. An LEA that experienced a traumatic or violent event that disrupted teaching and learning may be eligible for services under Project SERV if the LEA is able to:
- Demonstrate the traumatic effect on the learning environment including how the event has disrupted teaching and learning; and
- Demonstrate that the needed services cannot be adequately provided with existing resources in a comprehensive and timely manner, and that the provision of services and assistance will result in an undue financial hardship on the LEA or IHE.
When: November 12th from 10:00am to 11:00am.
Who Should Attend: School administrators, business officials and any other school personnel who manage their district's physical and/or financial recovery from the recent winter storms in the following jurisdictions: Benton, Lincoln, Tillamook, Clackamas, Linn, Wasco, Coos, Multnomah, Yamhill, Hood River, Sherman and Lane Counties and the Siletz Indian Reservation.
Calendar invite for the briefing: Outlook calendar invite for November 12th at 10:00am
Informational flyer with additional information: 
Project SERV Quick Guide for Applicants 2024
December Training and TA Session
What: School Safety and Emergency Management staff will provide training on emergency response priorities and communication in December. When an emergency happens, school leaders need to know how to prioritize their actions to provide the safest response possible. This session will review a couple of likely scenarios, address what steps to prioritize, and explain how to effectively communicate what just happened with families. SSEM staff will stay on after the training to answer questions or take requests for follow up.
When: December 3rd from 1:30pm to 2:30pm.
Who Should Attend: Any school administrator or staff member who would like training or assistance on responding to and communicating about emergencies.
Link to Register: Registration page for December 3rd at 1:30pm.