The school district has prepared emergency plans to deal with a variety of possible situations. The safety and well being of the students and staff is critical in each plan. Our plans cover situations which range from the routine to the specific. Recently, guidelines were developed to assist principals with such emergencies as Chemical, Biological, or Nuclear attacks. For more information regarding general preparations for households during emergency situations, please visit the links provided below.

In addition, the Gloucester County Board of Freeholders has prepared an Emergency Management Guide for Domestic Preparedness. Highlights of this guide include the following information:

• DO NOT GO TO SCHOOL TO PICK UP YOUR CHILDREN. Our schools have an emergency plan in place to protect all students.
• YOU may be alerted to a problem which MAY or MAY NOT pose an immediate danger to the community. You will be advised if there is the potential for escalation into a more serious situation.
• If you are informed of a potential problem, you should STAND BY until advised of what action to take and further instructions will be given as soon as official information is available.
• DO NOT attempt to contact the facility where the emergency has occurred. All available information will be broadcast on television and radio stations.
• Stay CALM. Do not listen to rumors.
• DO NOT USE YOUR TELEPHONE to call for information or advise unless you have a personal emergency. Listen to the Emergency Broadcast System on the radio or television. Unnecessary calls may prevent essential and emergency information from getting through to you.
• IMMEDIATELY turn on a radio or television to a local station for further instruction. Emergency Broadcast System messages may be heard on the above radio and television stations. STAY TUNED TO YOUR RADIO OR TV FOR MORE INFORMATION.
• To show that you know about the emergency and you do not need assistance, put a card in the window indicating "WE HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED". Be sure it can be seen from the road.
• NOTIFICATION WILL BE MADE VIA CABLE TV (COMCAST - ALL CHANNELS) KYW 1060 AM, AND WKDN CAMDEN EMERGENCY BROADCAST SYSTEM STATION

If there is an emergency and our community is ordered to take shelter, STAY INSIDE AND CLOSE ALL DOORS AND WINDOWS.

1. PREPARE A SHELTER-IN-PLACE KIT
   • Heavy Plastic and Duct Tape
   • Scissors
   • Flashlight with Extra Batteries
   • Battery Powered Radio
   • Towels
   • Drinking Water In Sealed Containers
   • Non-Perishable Foods
   PLACE THESE ITEMS IN A LOCATION KNOWN TO ALL FAMILY MEMBERS SO THAT THEY CAN BE GATHERED QUICKLY IN AN EMERGENCY.
2. Move people and pets indoors immediately.
3. Close and lock all windows and doors (Locking provides a tighter seal).
4. Turn off all heating, cooling and ventilation systems, including all window and attic fans.
5. Go into one room of your house or work place. This room should have a telephone and either a television or radio.
6. Place plastic and duct tape around all doors and windows in the room. Use heavy plastic that is large enough to cover the entire window or door. Plastic drop cloths that are used when painting are good to use for sheltering-in-place emergencies.
7. Place wet towels at the bottom of the door to prevent possible leakage. Keep extra towels available. If you smell a chemical odor, cover your nose and mouth with a wet towel.
8. Stay tuned to your radio or television for further instructions.
9. Begin storing water in containers for future drinking and cooking.
10. If necessary, children in affected schools will be sheltered there. Parents should not try to pick them up unless advised to do so.
11. Do not go outdoors unless absolutely necessary. If so, limit time spent outdoors and cover your mouth with a damp cloth or towel. When returning indoors, leave outer clothing outside. Wash your face and hands with mild soap and lukewarm water.
12. Stay inside your closed room until you receive an all-clear signal. When you receive that signal, open all doors and windows and go outside until your house or work place is well ventilated.
13. Use the telephone only for emergencies. Unnecessary calls may prevent essential and official information from getting through to you.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT THE GLOUCESTER COUNTY OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT: (856) 307-7155

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF TOLD TO PREPARE TO EVACUATE?

1. MAKE A LIST OF THINGS YOU SHOULD TAKE WITH YOU IN AN EMERGENCY
   
   • Medicine
   • Baby Food
   • Toiletries
   • Eyeglasses
   • Checkbook/Cash
   • First-Aid Kit
   PLACE THESE ITEMS IN A LOCATION KNOWN TO ALL FAMILY MEMBERS SO THAT THEY CAN BE GATHERED QUICKLY IN AN EMERGENCY.
2. DO NOT LEAVE your home at this stage. An evacuation will be ordered only if our community is threatened and there is time to evacuate safely and in an orderly manner.
3. MAKE sure you understand the emergency evacuation route to be followed. Stay tuned to your radio and/or television for further instructions to prepare to evacuate.
4. QUICKLY gather: a change of clothing, medicines, special dietary needs, eyeglasses, money and shelter-in-place kit.
5. PREPARE your home for a three-day absence:
   Turn off all small appliances, faucets and air conditioners, fans, and house lights. TURN down the furnace, lock windows and doors. Even if in daytime, turn on your porch light as you leave your house. The area will be guarded while you are away.
6. LEAVE IF or WHEN advised. Use one car per family. Close all car windows and vents. Listen to your radio for traffic information.
7. WHEN traveling, keep car vents and windows closed. Do not use air conditioning or heating systems.
8. BE sure that a sign is placed in your window indicating "WE HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED."
9. YOU may return to your home as soon as the emergency is declared over and it is safe to return.
10. WHEN you return home: if the emergency involved an air-borne hazardous material, open windows and doors and stay outside until the building is well ventilated.