Emergency Situations

Emergency Procedures

An Emergency Situation is a circumstance that results in a potential threat to the health and safety of the students and staff. Such situations would include, but are not limited to, the following:  fire, earthquake, explosion, emission of toxic fumes, bomb threats, weapons and/or intruders on campus.

The school is prepared to deal with such situations; a copy of the current AMHS Safety & Security Plan is available in the Dean of Students Office.  The plan outlines administration, staff, student, and parent responsibilities in an Emergency Situation.  Drills are executed throughout the year to allow the campus to practice its readiness for a real emergency.

Students who are on campus during an emergency situation will remain on campus until they are released by authorized AMHS personnel or emergency response/law enforcement personnel.  When prudent, such personnel will release students or retain them on campus in keeping with the instructions given by individual parents on the current Emergency/Disaster Release Information Form that is on file with the school and which is updated each summer.

AMHS faculty and staff members will remain on campus during and after an emergency situation to supervise those students who have not been released to go home or picked up.

Instructions for Parents

What not to do:

  • do not call the school. In the event of a significant event, this will simply tie up lines needed to communicate with emergency relief agencies.
  • do not come to the school, unless at the time you normally do so to pick up your student, or unless you have been contacted by the school or your student. You will need to formally sign out your student.

What to do

  • discuss with your student what he/she should do in an Emergency Situation (as you have indicated on the current Emergency/Disaster Release Information Form). Determine a phone number at which you can be reached or at which messages should be left.
  • if your student transports him/herself to and from school:  go home and wait for him/her to arrive.  He/she will be released from school when it is safe and in keeping with the instructions given by you on the current Emergency/Disaster Release Form.
  • if you normally pick up your student:  come to school at the normal time or when contacted by school personnel or  your student to come pick him/her up. Although many students carry cellular phones, the school will make available regular and cellular phones so that students who need to may contact parents.

Instructions for Students

Drills are conducted throughout the year to practice prepardness for real emergencies.  Students are reminded of the procedures to be followed in the following circumstances:

  • When the general alarm sounds
  • When the campus is notified over the P.A. system or in-person contact of an emergency situation that warrants evacuation of buildings, drop to the ground, or CODE RED procedures.
  • When an emergency situation occurs away from the campus that impacts an AMHS group

If you are with a class/team/group

1. Follow instructions of P.A. system, teacher, staff, coach, or moderator in charge.

2. If the building is shaking or it is clear that an earthquake is taking place: 

  • take cover under desks, tables, or other type of protection and face away from windows;
  • take a protective position by bending your head close to knees, cover back of head with one hand;
  • use other hand to hold onto table leg (if earthquake) or protect eyes with other hand;
  • stay under cover until directed otherwise;
  • be silent and listen to or for instructions;
  • check yourself and your neighbors; evacuate once shaking has stopped.

3. Once instructed or it is safe, report to the appropriate evacuation site.  If on-campus evacuation sites are unsafe, the designated off-campus evacuation site is John Mise Park.

4. If instructed CODE BLUE, students are brought into or kept in a classroom, office, or other secure area pending further instruction.

5. If instructed with CODE RED, students are brought into or kept in a classroom, office, or other secure area:

  • lock doors and cover door windows;
  • close drapes/blinds;
  • barricade doors;
  • turn off lights;
  • move away from windows and doors;
  • create an interior barricade and get down on the floor behind the barricade;
  • remain quiet and ignore the clock;
  • a red Emergency Pack is located in every classroom and office;
  • do not open the door for anyone;
  • wait to hear the ALL CLEAR or until an administrator or police officer enters your room with a key.

If you are on campus but not with a class

1. Follow the instructions of any staff member that takes charge of the situation in that area and follows procedures outlined above.

2. If you are outside school buildings and DROP is warranted:

  • move away from buildings, poles, trees, and overhead wires. 
  • take a protective position by crouching close to the ground and putting your arms over your head.

3. Go to the nearest evacuation site unless directed otherwise (off-campus evacuation site is John Mise Park).

If you are walking to or away from school

1. If DROP is warranted due to earthquake,

  • move away from buildings, trees, and exposed wires; 
  • take a protective position by crouching close to the ground and putting your arms over your head;
  • when it is safe, continue walking to school or walking home.

2. If DROP is warranted due to a nuclear or terrorist attack:

  • take a protective posture, or get behind any solid object (ditch, curb, tree, etc.); 
  • lie prone, cover head and face, and as much of the skin surface as possible;
  • close eyes and cover ears with forearms.

If you are off-campus with a school group/team/class

1. Follow the instructions of the staff member in charge of your group.

2. Return to campus with the group unless you are released to the custody of your parents or unless the campus is unsafe and you are instructed to go directly to your home.

If you are off-campus and not with a school group/team/class

1. If the school day has been completed, go home.

2. If the school day has not been completed, return to campus. Then report to the nearest Evacuation Site and Evacuation Site Coordinator.