Campus Safety | Avon Old Farms | Boys Boarding High School in CT

Preparation is central to campus safety, and by using Reach and the CISCO campus-wide alert system, Avon Old Farms has conducted monthly fire and/or crisis response drills, both announced and unannounced, to reinforce the procedures and responsibilities of the students and staff; each drill has been conducted under the observation of trained Avon police officers and the Avon Old Farms Emergency Response Team.

We take time at Morning Meeting to disseminate the feedback following these drills to the students and school community, and over the years this has helped create a strong, informed culture of safety. Since our campus environment poses several challenges that a traditional high school does not face, we focus on three keywords about campus-safety: Community, Awareness, and Responsibility.

In addition to creating and sustaining a culture of safety on campus, we have strengthened the security of our campus by adding appropriate personnel, technology, communication systems, and training. In the last year alone, the following measures have been taken:

• Barbara Alenckis, an Air Force veteran and retired Waterbury police sergeant experienced in investigations and critical incident response, was appointed full-time Coordinator of School Safety.
   
• The Reach Notification System was implemented; this web-based system allows for “real-time” two-way communication with all of the members of our school community during a critical incident.
   
• The existing electronic-lock access system on the dormitories was expanded to include the Ordway Science Building, the Aron Academic Center, and the Baxter Library.
   
• Verkada video surveillance cameras have been strategically placed throughout the campus in exterior locations for additional safety awareness. Video surveillance is monitored by Campus Safety Team members and may be accessible to Emergency Response Team members as necessary. Video surveillance views are also accessible via the Verkada mobile application for remote viewing by Campus Safety Team members.
   
• The Avon Old Farms Emergency Response Team actively participates in the National Incident Management System Training (NIMS). This web-based training curriculum is administered by the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA). The training program supports safety by familiarizing school personnel with the Incident Command System as it is applied to campus incidents and interaction with emergency responders.
   
• Avon Old Farms was one of the founding members and continues to a leader with the Regional Independent School Safety Committee (RISSC) which is composed of twenty-six preparatory schools in New England and New York. The mission of this organization is to develop safety procedures, identify best practices, share information and provide training for the membership.

Periodically during the year, the School will hold a variety of announced and unannounced drills.  It is a very important exercise to insure the steps to react to an emergency are followed correctly.  Working with the Avon Police Department and Avon Fire Department members of the Emergency Response Team will schedule and hold the following drills.  

Fire Drill:

Drills will be held at the beginning of the school year in the dormitories to familiarize the new boarding students to the locations of fire exits should there be a need to exit the building quickly.  There are two ways to exit each dormitory. The first is through the main entrance of the dorm, the second is through the faculty residences attached to the dormitory. All exits will be utilized during the drill.

In additions to the dormitory exercises fire drills will be held during the school year to familiarize students/faculty/staff to the correct evacuation procedures of the certain school buildings and meeting places.  The Brown Auditorium, the Ordway Science and Technology Center, and the Refectory during meal times will all be covered.

Emergency Crisis Drill:

At the start of each academic year, the Emergency Response Coordinator will address the entire school community, including the students, administration, faculty, and staff at morning meeting. This presentation introduces and reinforces the fundamental concepts that have been the foundation for our safety plan, “Community, Awareness, and Responsibility.” The responsibility of the faculty, staff and students are discussed along with the expectations of compliance during a drill.

Emergency Crisis Drills such as lockdown, shelter in place, and other emergency situation drills will be held at least three (3) times during the school year, in accordance with CGS 10-231, which will include the main campus and the athletic fields. These drills will be conducted and reviewed in partnership with the Avon Police Department (CGS 10-222n). These drills are designed to reinforce safety procedures, provide important feedback, identify potential issues with the procedures/physical campus, and provide recommendations for improvement in preventing and responding to emergency situations.

At the conclusion of the drill or incident, members of the Emergency Response Team and the Avon Police Department critique the exercise.  The group discusses the emergency procedures, campus infrastructure, and the performance of the faculty, staff, and students. The facilities Department will be notified in order to repair any deficiencies located on campus and student behavior will be reported to the Dean of Students. The findings are documented and distributed to all members of the Emergency Management Team.

Shortly following the drill, The Emergency Response Coordinator will discuss the findings of the drill with the community. This presentation will include a review of the drill, performance of the students, faculty, and staff and the recommendations for improvement.

1. The quickest and most reliable way for a parent or guardian to receive information from the School in an emergency is via the Reach app. The Reach System is an app which allows for “real-time” two-way communication with all of the members of our school community during a critical incident. The Reach system has the capability of sending mass notifications to faculty/staff, students, and student parents via several delivery methods. Reach will be the system of choice when notifications of any type of event is necessary. This system can be used to assist in the initial notification of a critical incident and share information during the event. The system streamlines the communication between the community and the IRT, before, during, and after an event.
   
   Please contact Peter Deckers, Director of Information Technology via email or at (860)404–4251 if you have any questions about the Reach communication system.
    
2. The School will communicate openly to parents and guardians via email once credible information has been attained regarding the incident.
    
3. Our Safety Department is available to answer questions throughout the school year and can be contacted at (860) 404-4141. During an emergency, members of the Safety Department will be tending to the security of the School; however, after the incident, parents and guardians will be communicated to and can call with questions. 

If campus residents (students, faculty, staff, and residentially families) need to be evacuated from the campus, there are two predetermined locations within the Town of Avon. These two locations are approved by the Avon Police Department and include the Thompson Brook and Roaring Brook Schools. The gymnasiums of both of these schools will be used as staging points if the decision is made to evacuate campus. The determination of which school to be used will be based on the impact to the campus. This chosen location will also be used as a family reunification center if  our students need to be released to their parents/guardians.

These reunification centers will improve the school with efficient and accurate attendance and release protocols, as it is a secured building with controlled access and is not a campus environment. In addition, these off campus locations will prevent parents/guardians from responding to the AOF campus, possibly interfering with emergency management and/or recovery.

The Health Center is intended to provide routine medical treatment for the Avon Old Farms School students. The Health Center is not staffed or equipped to respond to serious medical emergencies throughout campus. In addition to the Health Center, the school has Athletic Trainers to staff athletic events, and members of the faculty certified in Basic First Aid/CPR.

1. Life-threatening or potentially disabling: Because these medical conditions can cause death or disability within minutes, they require immediate intervention, medical care, and, usually, hospitalization. Examples of this category include airway and breathing difficulties, cardiac arrest, chest pain, and/or cyanosis.
    
2. Serious or potentially life-threatening or potentially disabling: Burns, major multiple fractures, and insect bites are examples of this category.  These occurrences may result in a life-threatening situation or may produce permanent damage, so they must be treated as soon as possible.
    
3. Non-life-threatening: These are defined as any injury or illness that may affect the general health of a person (e.g., mild or moderate fever, stomach ache, headache, seizures, fractures, cuts). The school nurse will evaluate the incident and make decisions regarding further treatment. The school nurse may notify the parent/guardian and recommend follow-up medical evaluation or treatment.

Life Threatening or Potentially Life Threatening: We take the following steps in the event of a serious medical emergency:

1. Determine if the injury is serious and requires the activation of the 911 System.
2. Call 911 from a cell phone or 911 from a campus phone to summon emergency services.
3. Prior to taking any action, CHECK the accident scene for potential hazards in order to protect your personal safety.
4. Call 911 and provide your location and an overview of the medical emergency. Remain on the telephone with the dispatcher as they can provide appropriate guidance and pre-arrival instructions until the ambulance arrives.
5. The faculty is trained in CPR/AED and basic medical measures. This training should be applied until the arrival of an equally or a higher trained medical responder.
6. Contact the Incident Response Team using the Everbridge System.
7. Stay with the victim and reassure them that medical help is the way.
8. Do not move a seriously injured person unless there is a life-threatening situation.
9. Remain with the student until released by the Health Center, Dean of Students, Administrator on Duty, or member of the Incident Response Team.
10. The Health Center will contact the student’s parents/guardians.

We take the following steps in the event of a minor (non-life threatening or disabling) medical emergency:

1. Determine if the injury is serious and requires the activation of the 911 System.
2. Prior to taking any action, CHECK the accident scene for potential hazards in order to protect your personal safety.
3. If it does not raise to the level of a serious medical emergency, contact the Health Center, the Dean of Students, and the student’s advisor.
4. Assist the injured student who is ambulatory to the Health Center or the Dean of Students’ Office.
5. If the school nurse or other medically trained individual determines that the injury, illness, or condition is minor in nature and additional medical interventions are not immediately required the student may be released for follow up with the health center.
6. The faculty member will remain with the student until advised by the Health Center or Dean of Students.
7. The Health Center will contact the student’s parents/guardians.

Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs)

The school has eight portable Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) positioned in the following locations:

1. Brown House Lobby
2. Business Office Lobby
3. Health Center Entrance
4. Hockey Rink – Behind team bench
5. Refectory Entrance
6. Student Center
   a. Main floor – across from Hawk’s Nest
   b. Lower level – outside the training room
   c. Mobile unit – training room