FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
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STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
John L. Winn
Commissioner of Education
F. PHILIP HANDY,
Chairman
T. WILLARD FAIR,
Vice Chairman
Members
DONNA G. CALLAWAY
ROBERTO MARTÍNEZ
PHOEBE RAULERSON
KATHLEEN SHANAHAN
LINDA K. TAYLOR
CONTACT PERSON
NAME:
Julie
Collins
PHONE:
850-245-0416
SUNCOM:
205-0416
E-MAIL:
Julie.Collins@fldoe.org
K12:
2006-63
MEMORANDUM
TO:
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District School Superintendents
FROM:
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John L. Winn
DATE:
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May 3, 2006
SUBJECT:
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Revised “Statewide Policy for Strengthening Domestic Security in Florida’s
Public
Schools”
By September 2006, Florida school districts will be required to comply with the Department of
Homeland Security’s National Incident Management System or NIMS. NIMS was developed to
enable emergency responders from different jurisdictions and disciplines to work together better
to respond to natural disasters and emergencies, including acts of terrorism. NIMS benefits
include a unified approach to incident management; standard command and management
structures; and emphasis on preparedness, mutual aid, and resource management.
Although there are no known, direct, or credible threats against any potential target in Florida,
educational institutions have been included in the Florida Domestic Security Strategy. This
strategy is a comprehensive approach to ensuring that Florida will address all known domestic
security
vulnerabilities.
325 W. GAINES STREET • SUITE 1514 • TALLAHASSEE, FL 32399-0400 • (850) 245-0505 • www.fldoe.org
District School Superintendents
May 3, 2006
Page Two
In order to define NIMS compliance for school districts, a statewide group of safety
representatives from the education community, the Florida Department of Education, and the
Florida Regional Domestic Security Task Force Education Sub-Committees produced the
attached Revised “Statewide Policy for Strengthening Domestic Security in Florida’s Public
Schools” for districts and schools to use to enhance the safety of their campuses. This policy
focuses on eight elements: 1) Access Control, 2) Emergency Equipment, 3) Training, 4)
Communication and Notification Procedures, 5) Coordination with Partners, 6) Vulnerability
Assessment, 7) National Incident Management System (NIMS) Compliance, and 8) National
Incident Management System (NIMS) Certification. This policy draws from similar guidelines
from other states and abroad, as well as the experience of school districts throughout Florida.
Please share this policy with key personnel in your district and incorporate it into your existing
emergency plans and procedures. It is important to note that NIMS compliance is required if a
school district is to receive federal emergency preparedness funds such as the U.S. Department
of Education’s Emergency Response and Crisis Management Grant. Though we certainly hope
never to face a terrorist threat in Florida, ongoing concerns about such activity makes this policy
particularly important.
We remain committed to providing technical assistance and to partnering with you as you
continue to strengthen the safety of your schools. If you have questions or require additional
assistance, please contact Lorraine Allen, Director, or Julie Collins, Emergency Management
Consultant, Office of Safe and Healthy Schools, at (850) 245-0416.
JLW/jc
cc:
Susan Skelton, Senate Committee on Domestic Security
