FAQs

  1. Does school staff need to take the time to close the blinds during a lockdown?
  2. What resources are available for ERCM assistance?
  3. Our weather radio is loud and announces events that are not near our location.  Can the radio be turned off until there is a storm?
  4. Does the school need permission from the Safety and Security department to declare a lockdown?
  5. In the event of an emergency, who should be called?
  6. How often are schools required to conduct emergency drills?
  7. Who do I contact if I have questions about threat assessments or suicide assessments?
  8. What is Safe2Tell?

 

 

  1. Does school staff need to take the time to close the blinds during a lockdown? 

No.  Per Denver Public Schools agreement with Denver Police, blinds are to be left open and lights on for lockdowns and drills.  However, if the blinds are closed and a lockdown is called we don’t recommend that you put yourself in harms way to open the blinds.

 

  1. What resources are available for ERCM assistance?

·        DPS ERCM Manual (each school should have at least 3 copies)

·        ERCM Training DVD (20 minutes)

·        ERCM website (http://ercm.dpsk12.org)

·        ERCM Team Members (http://ercm.dpsk12.org/ercmteam)

 

  1. Our weather radio is loud and announces events that are not near our location.  Can the radio be turned off until there is a storm?

No.  The issued weather radio should be left on at all times at an audible level.  It is a notification to schools in the event of severe weather.  Remember, the school is ultimately responsible for checking weather conditions. 

 

  1. Does the school need permission from the Safety and Security department to declare a lockdown?

No.  The site administrator or their designee has the authority to declare a lockdown in their school.  The site administrator will evaluate the situation and decide whether it is safer to stay in the building and lockdown or shelter-in-place or whether it is safer to evacuate the building. 

 

  1. In the event of an emergency, who should be called? 

911 and Safety and Security Dispatch (720-423-3911).  If you call 911, you must also call Safety and Security Dispatch.  Dispatch will notify all other essential district personnel including the Communications office.  You may dial x33911 if you are calling from a district phone.  Remember to dial the full 10 digit phone number if you are calling from a cell phone or a non-district line.  Anyone can call 911! 

 

  1. How often are schools required to conduct emergency drills?
    • Fire drills are to held once a month (2 during the first month of school)
    • Lockdown drills are to be held once a semester with one observed by the ERCM Team
    • Shelter-in-Place drills are to be held once a semester

Please remember to record your drills on the emergency drill record form (http://ercm.dpsk12.org/forms).  If you have a real event at your school, you may count this as one of your required drills for that month or semester.

 

  1. Who do I contact if I have questions about threat assessments or suicide assessments?

Call Dr. Eldridge Greer, Manager of Psychological Services, at (720) 423-3614 with questions regarding threat or suicide assessments. 

 

The protocols and assessment forms may be found at:  http://ercm.dpsk12.org/forms.

 

  1. What is Safe2Tell?

Safe2Tell (1-877-542-SAFE) is an anonymous reporting hotline that anyone can call with concerns about school violence.  Check their website for further information:  http://www.safe2tell.org

 

This site is using the DPS 3.0 theme.