Oregon City School District regularly uses ParentSquare to contact families via email, phone or text.

In the event of a disaster related emergency, Oregon City School District will work with Clackamas County Emergency Management to utilize the Clackamas County Public Alerts Notification System.

FlashAlert is used to communicate weather related emergencies.

Oregon City School District utilizes the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and the Incident Command System (ICS) to guide its emergency response and crisis management protocols.

The National Incident Management System (NIMS) provides consistency that helps emergency responders from different areas cooperate effectively and efficiently in responding to the same critical incident.

The Incident Command System (ICS) is a standardized approach to incident management that is used for all types of incidents by all organizations and at all levels of government.

These standardized frameworks provide a structured and coordinated approach to effectively manage incidents and ensure the safety of students, staff, and the school community as a whole.

By incorporating NIMS and ICS, Oregon City School District can improve Emergency Management capabilities and ensure a coordinated and effective response to emergencies.

Each school site has the following emergency resources:

First Aid Kits: Each school site is equipped with a comprehensive first aid kit containing essential medical supplies to handle minor injuries and health concerns. These kits typically include adhesive bandages, antiseptic wipes, gauze pads, adhesive tape, disposable gloves, tweezers, scissors and ice packs. Kits are placed in accessible locations such as the main office or health room and are regularly checked and restocked. Some designated school staff members are trained in basic first aid and CPR to ensure a quick and effective response in case of an emergency.

Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs): Every school and district building is equipped with at least one Automated External Defibrillator (AED), an essential life-saving device designed to assist individuals experiencing sudden cardiac arrest. These devices are strategically located in easily accessible areas such as near the main office, gymnasium, or cafeteria, and are clearly marked with signage for quick identification during emergencies.

AEDs provide voice and visual prompts to guide responders through each step of the process. While designed for use by anyone in an emergency, multiple school staff members receive training in AED use and CPR to ensure a swift and effective response if needed.

Regular maintenance checks are performed to ensure each AED is in proper working order, with pads and batteries replaced as needed.

Emergency Buckets: Each classroom is supplied with an Emergency Bucket containing basic emergency supplies intended to support students and staff during a lockdown, shelter-in-place or other extended emergency situations. These buckets typically include items such as water, a flashlight with extra batteries, emergency radio, a whistle, gloves, basic first aid items, tissues and sanitation supplies (such as hand sanitizer and waste bags).

The contents are carefully chosen to meet basic needs and help maintain comfort and safety until help arrives or the situation is resolved. Emergency Buckets are stored in an easily accessible location within each classroom and are checked periodically to ensure contents remain up to date and in good condition.

Emergency Radios: Each district building is equipped with a dedicated emergency base station radio to maintain reliable communication during crises or emergency situations. These radios are an essential part of the district’s safety infrastructure, enabling staff to stay in direct contact with school and district administrators when standard communication methods—such as phones or intercom systems—are unavailable or compromised.

Two-way radios are especially critical during lockdowns, evacuations or power outages, allowing for the rapid relay of important updates, instructions and status reports across different areas of the campus. These radios ensure effective and coordinated communication.

Regular checks and maintenance ensure that all emergency radios remain in good working condition and are ready for use at any time.

Naloxone: Naloxone is readily available across the district to support emergency response and prevent opioid overdose deaths, in alignment with the School Access to Naloxone Act of 2023. In each school, naloxone kits are stored with AEDs and in elementary health rooms. Middle schools have three kits, while the high school has additional kits, including at the sports field and stadium. All school buses are also equipped with naloxone. Staff receive annual training on recognizing and responding to opioid overdoses, including naloxone administration. These efforts are part of a national initiative to increase access, training and readiness to respond to overdoses in school communities.

In the event of an emergency at school, families are urged to follow these important steps:

• Stay Informed: Monitor district communications, such as automated calls, texts, emails and the district website for real-time updates and instructions.

• Avoid the School Campus: Do not go to the school, as this can interfere with emergency response efforts. Instead, wait for instructions on where and when to reunite with your student.

• Follow Reunification Procedures: If a reunification site is designated, bring proper identification and follow the procedures outlined by the school or district to ensure a safe and orderly process.

Make a Plan- Your family may not be together when disaster strikes, so it’s important to know how you’ll reconnect if separated. Ready.gov has a resource available to create a Family Emergency Communication Plan.

Build a Kit- Being prepared means having your own food, water and other supplies to last for at least 72 hours. A disaster supplies kit is a collection of basic items your household may need in the event of an emergency. To assemble your kit, store items in airtight plastic bags and put your entire disaster supplies kit in one or two easy-to-carry containers such as plastic bins or a duffel bag.

Be Informed- By signing up to receive emergency alerts, residents can opt-in to receive critical emergency messaging via email, phone call and text during times of disasters. Important messages that could be relayed include notices to evacuate, shelter-in-place, shelter locations and other extremely important information. You can sign up for Clackamas County Public Alerts here.

Oregon City School District utilizes the Standard Response Protocol (SRP). The SRP is based on five actions: Hold, Secure, Lockdown, Evacuate and Shelter. In the event of an emergency, the action and appropriate direction will be called on the intercom.

HOLD - "Hold in your classroom. Clear the halls."

SECURE - "Get inside, lock outside doors."

LOCKDOWN - "Locks, Lights, Out of Sight"

EVACUATE - "To the Announced Location"

SHELTER - "For a hazard using a safety strategy"

SRP - PARENT HANDOUT - English

SRP - PARENT HANDOUT - Spanish (el Protocolo de Respuesta Estándar)

Circumstances may occur at the school that require parents to pick up their students in a formalized, controlled release. The process of controlled release is called a reunification and may be necessary due to weather, a power outage, hazmat or if a crisis occurs at the school.  The Standard Reunification Method is a protocol that makes this process more predictable and less chaotic for all involved.  Because a controlled release is not a typical end of school day event, a reunification may occur at  different location than the school a student attends.

HOW REUNIFICATION WORKS:

For students: The school asks that students be orderly and quiet while waiting. Students may be asked to text a message to their parents or guardians. Students are also asked not to send other text messages either in or out of the school or reunification area. Keeping the cellular network usage at a minimum may be important during a reunification.

For parents: If a parent is driving to the school, greater awareness of traffic and emergency vehicles is advised. Parents should park where indicated and not abandon vehicles. Parents are asked to go to the Reunification "Check In" area and form lines based on the first letter of their student's last name. While in line, parents are asked to fill out a reunification card. This card is perforated and will be separated during the process. Some of the same information is repeated on both the top and separated bottom of the card. Parents are asked to complete all parts of the card. In case of multiple students being reunified, a separate card for each student needs to be completed.

PARENT EXPECTATIONS: 

Bring ID

Be Patient. Reunification is a process that protects both the safety of the student and provides for an accountable change of custody from the school to a recognized custodial parent or guardian.

Make sure student's emergency contact list is up to date. Students will only be released to previously identified as a students emergency contact.

Stay connected to the district’s communication methods, ie: Facebook, Twitter, FlashAlert, voicemail alerts, e-mail and the district website for continued information updates.