Skip To Main Content

Maine RSU 21

Maine Regional School Unit 21

Arundel · Kennebunk · Kennebunkport

Emergency Prepardeness

RSU 21 School District Emergency Response & Safety Website for Parents and Community

Welcome to the School District's Emergency Response and Safety page. The safety and security of our students and staff is our top priority. With six schools in our district, we are committed to maintaining a secure learning environment. This page will provide an overview of our safety initiatives, the role of School Resource Officers (SROs), and how our schools prepare for emergencies through training, drills, and partnerships with local agencies.

 

School Safety Measures and School Resource Officers (SROs)

Each of our six schools is assigned a dedicated School Resource Officer (SRO). These officers are responsible for:

  • Conducting safety drills and audits to ensure the preparedness of students and staff.

  • Securing the interior and exterior perimeters of school buildings.

  • Working closely with school principals to address disciplinary concerns.

  • Acting as key members of the Incident Command Teams (ICT) at each school.

SROs collaborate with local law enforcement agencies, fire departments, EMS, and the York County Sheriff’s Department to ensure a coordinated response during emergencies.

 

Incident Command Teams (ICT)

Each school has an Incident Command Team (ICT) that includes:

  • Principals

  • School Nurses

  • Teaching Staff

  • SROs

  • Guidance Counselors

These teams meet regularly to review safety procedures, plan drills, and ensure our comprehensive emergency response plans are up to date. Monthly drills are conducted to practice evacuation, hold-in-place, and lockdown scenarios. After each drill, debriefings with the SROs and principals help identify areas for improvement, ensuring continuous refinement of our safety practices.

 

Behavioral Assessments & Support Services

Our district follows the State of Maine Guidance for Behavioral Assessments to help identify and support students who may be experiencing behavioral or emotional challenges. Behavioral assessments are conducted in collaboration with:

  • Guidance Counselors

  • Outside Support Groups

  • Local Law Enforcement

  • Trained CSTAG (Comprehensive School Threat Assessment Guidelines) Employees

This comprehensive approach allows us to address behavioral concerns before they escalate, providing students with the support they need to succeed both academically and socially.

 

Collaboration with Emergency Response Agencies

The district’s Operations Director works closely with:

  • Local Law Enforcement

  • Fire Departments

  • EMS

  • York County Sheriff’s Department

  • Town Managers

  • York County Emergency Management Team

These partnerships enhance our ability to respond quickly and effectively to any emergency, following FEMA's emergency management guidelines.

 

FEMA Emergency Response Guidelines

Our safety program follows the FEMA four-phase emergency management cycle:

  1. Mitigation: Activities aimed at reducing the impact of disasters by implementing long-term solutions.

  2. Preparedness: Continuous planning, training, and exercises to ensure coordination during an emergency.

  3. Response: Immediate actions to save lives and protect property during an incident.

  4. Recovery: Short- and long-term efforts to rebuild and restore affected areas following an incident.

 

Emergency Drills & Exercises

Our schools conduct several types of drills and exercises to prepare staff and students for emergencies.

  1. Practice Drills: Each school conducts regular practice drills to simulate emergency scenarios like evacuations and lockdowns. The drills are coordinated by the building ICT, and results are reviewed at ICT meetings.

  2. Bus Evacuation Drills: In addition to on-site safety drills, the district conducts bus evacuation drills with all students. These drills help ensure students know how to safely exit the bus during an emergency, whether at school or on a route.

  3. Tabletop Exercises: These low-stress exercises allow participants to discuss responses to different scenarios. Local police and fire representatives join the ICT for these discussions.

  4. Functional Exercises: These are higher-stress simulations that focus on communication and coordination among different team members using phones or radios. Local police, fire, and school ICT members participate in these exercises.

  5. Full-Scale Exercises: These high-stress, realistic drills simulate a real emergency and involve months of planning. The district works with local emergency planners from Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, and Arundel, as well as law enforcement and fire services, to conduct these exercises.

 

Training Requirements

  • Principals/Directors: Receive annual refresher training from the Director of Emergency Operations.

  • ICT Members: Receive training on their specific roles and responsibilities upon joining the team.

  • Faculty and Staff: Receive orientation and training on emergency procedures at the beginning of each school year.

  • Students: Receive training and regular reviews of emergency procedures throughout the year.

 

Schedule of Drills

A comprehensive schedule of drills and exercises is developed annually by each school and approved by the Director of Emergency Operations. These drills ensure that everyone is prepared to respond quickly and effectively in the event of an emergency.

 

Resources for Parents and Students

In addition to our safety efforts, we provide resources for mental health and reporting concerns. If you or your child needs help, please use the following resources:

  • Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

  • Maine Crisis Response: 1-888-568-1112

  • See Something, Say Something: If you see something suspicious or concerning, report it anonymously via the Sandy Hook Promise’s Say Something Tip Line.

Your child’s safety is our top priority, and together, we can create a safe and supportive environment for learning. Please contact your school’s principal or SRO with any safety concerns.