Our mission is to provide a safe and secure environment for the students and staff of Lakewood School District.  We prepare for natural and man-made disasters through planning, training, mitigation, and partnerships with local emergency responders. Our goal is to provide life safety, protect district property, and expedite the return to normal operations.

Drop-Cover-Hold versus Triangle of Life
Every few months or so, an email is forwarded throughout the United States regarding the Triangle of Life. This email states that everyone who practices Drop-Cover-Hold procedures will be crushed during an earthquake. Needless to say, many parents contact our schools or me, questioning our school district’s safety procedures. The author of the article is a self-described emergency worker. His theories have been disputed by FEMA, Red Cross, Washington State Emergency Management, OSPI – the list goes on and on. Drop-Cover-Hold has saved lives during earthquakes and continues to be the recommended safety procedure endorsed by all major and credible earthquake safety authorities. I have added links to various agencies disputing Triangle of Life and tips on proper earthquake procedures.

Remember, when the earth begins to shake:
Drop – get down to the ground or floor before the shaking of the earth throws you there.

Cover – get under a table or desk or other piece of furniture that can protect you from falling items such as books, light fixtures, etc. Face away from windows and mirrors.

Hold – hold on to the furniture, move with it. It is your protection from falling objects.

After the shaking stops, move carefully. Watch for items that might have fallen or are ready to fall and for broken glass. Be prepared for aftershocks.

Please remember that the safety of your children and our staff is our priority. If you have questions regarding Lakewood School District emergency procedures, please call me at 360-652-4503.

Jane Stauffer
Emergency Management Coordinator
Lakewood School District #306

HELPFUL RESOURCES:
http://www.k12.wa.us/safetycenter

http://www.earthquakecountry.info/dropcoverholdon/

http://www2.bpaonline.org/Emergencyprep/arc-on-doug-copp.html

http://www.earthquakesolutions.com/id44.html

Lakewood School District #306 has several ways to keep you informed when there are weather conditions or other circumstances that bring about school delays or closures. School closures are for one day at a time only. All meetings, field trips, after school activities will be canceled for the day of the emergency.

Radio and TV:
For the latest information, and to relieve congested phone lines, tune into radio and television stations between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m.:

Phone:
You can reach the Lakewood School District Transportation/Information line at 652-4501 and enter extension 9061. This prerecorded information line offers updated school and route changes due to adverse weather conditions or other events.

Limited Transportation Routes

Internet/Web:
Visit the Public Schools Emergency Communications System web site for the latest emergency information:www.schoolreport.org.

Bus exit drills take place twice a year as part of our regular emergency preparedness plan. Our maintenance staff assist students from the emergency exit of the bus. As students are familiarized with what to do in an emergency, they will be more confident should they ever need to use these skills. Should you have any questions about these drills please contact Cindy Steigerwald in the Transportation Department at (360) 652-4525.

by Jane Stauffer,
Emergency Management Coordinator

The day started out like it usually does. That early morning rush when you and your family juggle dressing, eating breakfast, making lunches, and discussing evening plans. All too soon the bus arrives, the children leave for school, and you begin your commute to work on a very busy freeway. When you finally make it to work, you slip into your usual pattern of phone calls and meetings. Around 10:00 AM, it's time for a quick cup of coffee.

Suddenly, you hear and feel a low rumbling, much like a large truck passing by. But this isn't a large truck. Lights begin to sway, items fall off shelves, and the shaking gets stronger. This is an earthquake! You try to remember if you should run to a doorway or drop, cover, and hold. You end up falling to the floor and crawling under the table. The shaking and the noise seem to last forever. But as quickly as it started, it stops. You're trying to think about what has just happened when you hear your fellow workers calling out to see if everyone is safe. As you climb out from under the table, you survey the room. Nothing is left in it's original place. Papers are scattered everywhere, bookcases have fallen over, and the computer is in pieces on the floor. None of this matters, however, as you get an overwhelming fear. "My kids!" "Are my children okay?" "I have to get to the school!"

It doesn't have to be an earthquake. It could be a snowstorm that shuts down the roads. A wind storm that leaves us without electricity, and the roads blocked due to downed trees and power lines. Have you ever thought about what you would do in the event of an emergency during the day? A time when you're at work and your children are at school.

As the Emergency Management Coordinator for Lakewood School District, my job is to help our district prepare to cope with any disaster, which may face our schools. We have a district preparedness plan in place, which deals with everything from fire drills to district wide intruder lockdowns. Protecting our students and staff during emergencies is our first priority.

Emergency food and water have been stored in the event we must remain at school for extended periods of time. Tools for search and rescue, 3000 solar type blankets, and other emergency supplies are stored in our disaster container. We also have light bars and generators stored in this container. First aid equipment is stored in various locations throughout our district, with trauma supplies kept in a special container in our warehouse.

Shelter in Place (Safe Room) supplies have been purchased. Staff members from each building are being trained in sheltering procedures and how to shut down our ventilation systems quickly.

Several staff members have volunteered to serve on search & rescue and disaster medical teams. These staff members have received specialized training from Marysville Fire Department. Several students at the high school have received training as Student Support Team members.

We will release students only when it is safe to do so. Students will be released to parents and persons identified on the Student Locator Card. It is extremely important to keep your child's emergency information updated.

If you have questions regarding emergency preparedness, please call me at 652-4503.

Lakewood School District Pandemic Influenza Plan

Here are some helpful resources:

Coping with Disaster
72 hour Emergency Kit
http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/beprepared/
Shelter-in-Place
Homeland Security Tips
Flyer-Be a Germ Stopper
Snohomish County Health District
Washington State Department of Health
Centers for Disease Control
Lakewood School District Pandemic Flu Plan

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