The holiday season is also the start of nasty winter weather warnings. Fifty percent of the country has already seen its first taste of snow, ice, and flooding, and predictions are calling for another active season. Here are some tips and guidelines for preparing your school for the months ahead.
Before the Storm
- Check your insurance coverage for protection(s) against winter hazards.
- Ensure you have an emergency communication plan in place prior to storms.
- Have all employee, vendor, and client contact information on hand.
- Check your procedure for restoring electrical services on an item-by-item basis.
- Establish a procedure for relocating salvageable and undamaged stock and supplies.
- Add the following supplies to your disaster supplies kit: rock salt (to melt ice on driveways), sand (to improve traction), and snow shovels (or other snow removal equipment).
- Determine your greatest risk potential: loss of heat, frozen pipes, and/or loss of access due to snow/ice.
- Identify who is responsible for keeping heating equipment in good working order: Facility Manager, contracted firm, or landlord?
- Identify who is responsible for snow/ice removal: Facility Manager, contracted firm, or landlord?
- Determine what equipment needs to be protected from freezing, i.e. computers, telecommunications, etc.
- Are portable heaters or other emergency equipment needed? Are they available?
- If snow and/or ice prohibit main entrance to your school, are there alternative ways to enter your premises?
- Seal all openings with caulking and insulation where cold air can enter.
- Repair walls and roofs to prevent drafts; inspect roof drains for debris.
- Make sure storm windows are effective, if appropriate.
- Make sure heating and heat-producing equipment is in good condition and operating efficiently.
- Arrange for snow removal from driveways, doorways, and roofs.
- Can your employees work from home? Are you prepared for Snow Day learning? Establish a plan for days in which faculty, staff, and students are unable to come in.
- Drain all idle pumps and compressors, making sure jackets are vented.
- Provide proper lubrication for cold weather operation (e.g., emergency generators, snow blowers).
- Test cold weather equipment.
- Clean and inspect boilers and firing mechanism/controls.
- Make sure your Uninterrupted Power Source (UPS) is in place to protect equipment from a power surge.
- Maintain automatic sprinkler protection in idle buildings; promptly handle sprinkler system impairments; notify and coordinate with the local fire department.
- Monitor building temperature especially in hard-to-heat areas containing vulnerable equipment. Keep temperatures above 40°F.
- Mark hydrants near your school for ease in locating and clearing after a heavy storm.
- Remove large amounts of snow from your school's roof to prevent the roof from collapsing.
During the Storm
- Listen to local news and weather channels for developments and road closures.
- Use the Alert Notification System to keep all employees and families posted on the status of the storm and next steps.
- Make sure heaters, snow blowers, generators, and cold-weather equipment are available should they be needed.
Severe winter weather can lead to property damage, employee and student illness and injury, and possible school closures that will need to be properly communicated—some of which can be prevented. To minimize damage and recover quicker following a winter storm—or any storm—it is a good idea to develop a plan of action based on some of these tips. Work with your Facility Manager to coordinate your plan, and then communicate with fellow administrators who are engaged with your Crisis Team.
Additional ISM articles of interest
ISM Monthly Update for Risk Managers Vol. 3 No. 3 Four-Team Approach for Creating and Maintaining a Crisis Plan
ISM Monthly Update for Risk Managers Vol. 4 No. 6 Communicating Emergencies
ISM Monthly Update for Risk Managers Vol. 2 No. 5 Winter Hazards
ISM Monthly Update for Risk Managers Vol. 5 No. 1 Managing Risks Beyond Gun Threats
Additional ISM articles of interest for Gold Consortium members
I&P Vol. 35 No. 14 Developing Your Business Continuation Plan
I&P Vol. 35 No. 12 Does Your Crisis Plan Really Protect Your Students?
