Emergency planning ensures school safety by preventing or minimizing emergencies and clarifying roles for staff and responders. A central element is a comprehensive Emergency Operations Plan (EOP), developed collaboratively and reviewed regularly. Training, exercises, and age-appropriate drills reinforce preparedness and should reflect school-specific needs. Schools should also plan for recovery—academic, physical, emotional, and financial—before incidents occur. Resources and issue briefs on emergency planning are available below, as well as through SchoolSafety.gov.
- Building Blocks to School Safety A Toolkit for K-12 Schools and School Districts for Developing High-Quality School Emergency Operations Plans (2022)
- K-12 Guide for Developing High-Quality School Emergency Operations Plans (2013)
- K-12 School Planning and Response Teams: Developing and Enhancing the School Emergency Operations Plan (2022)
- Checklist School District Planning and Response Teams: Developing and Enhancing the School Emergency Operations Plan (2022)
- The Role of Districts in Developing High-Quality School Emergency Operations Plans (2019)
- Addressing Emergencies on Campus (June 2011)
- Managing Bereavement and Loss as a Part of School and Higher Education Emergency Preparedness Planning (2019)
- Campus Attacks: Targeted Violence Affecting Institutions of Higher Education (2010)
- Cyber Safety Quick Links for Protecting Youth: Empowering Students to Become Responsible Digital Citizens and Engage Online Safely (2020)
- Managing Donations and Volunteers as a Part of Education Agency Emergency Management (2017)
- Fact Sheet: Cybersecurity for K-12 Schools and School Districts: Developing a Cyber Annex (2023)
- Fact Sheet: National Disaster Recovery Framework Federally Declared Disaster (2021)
- Summary Table of OSSS Approved School Climate Surveys (2023)
- Fact Sheet: Psychological First Aid (2025)
- COIVD-19 Resilience Quick Links for School Personnel, Families, and Students (2020)
- Virginia Tech Mass Shootings Review Panel Report (2007)
- Virginia College Threat Assessment Recommendations (2009)