Crisis Management Program, Plan & Directives

All schools within the Archdiocese of Philadelphia provide a safe, enriching environment where students and parents feel comfortable in the knowledge that each school takes this responsibility very seriously.  In keeping with this mission, a program has been created to help schools provide that safe environment.

A simplified program has been created for all schools.   The program currently has seven plans which could be used for various crises.  This plan allows for easy comprehension and programming for the teachers.  It gives the local schools’ administration the responsibility of internally coordinating which plan should be instituted and which plan of action to take on the case of an emergency.

The simplified crisis management plan calls for:

  1. Internal Lockdown
  2. External Lockdown
  3. Medical Emergency
  4. Assault
  5. Evacuation
  6. Fire
  7. Shelter in Place and Evacuation

Drilling / Drill Form

All schools are recommended to perform the usual Fire Drills at regular intervals throughout the school year; however, each school should perform two Shelter in Place Drills over the course of the year, as well.  It is suggested that one Shelter in Place Drill be performed in the first two months of the school year and once in the spring.  It is also recommends that each school drill several crises that are in place in the updated plan.   You can find the Drill Log here.


Parent In-Service Program

It is recommended that a standard / universal in-service program be presented to parents / guardians in every elementary, secondary and special education school concerning the updated Crisis Management Program.  Each school is asked to hold their individual in-service programs in September / October then begin drilling upon its completion.


Teacher In-Service Program

The teachers of each school should be in-serviced on the updated plans / program in the first weeks of September.  This would allow the administration and faculty of each school to implement the updated program before the local parents are in-serviced.


Crisis Incident Report

In the event of a crisis, a written account of communications, steps of action taken, verbal orders issued and other pertinent information must be submitted to the Office of Catholic Education.  A universal Crisis Incident Report has been created for documenting this information.


Safe Areas

Please complete the attached Crisis Management Plan.  This form allows us to know which sites you are using in case of an emergency.  The initial safe area is the area for which you evacuate the building and relocate outside.  The Alternative Location 1 should be a site that is away from the building and easily accessible for your students and teachers.  The Alternative Location 2 should be a site that is approximately ½ to 1 mile away from the building.  This site should be within walking distance as well as accessible for your students and teachers.