Utica National Risk Management Alert
A response to the amendment of Section 155.17 relating to school safety plan requirements.
It’s essential to have an Emergency Response Plan (ERP) in place for your school and community.
New York State (NYS) requires that each public school, BOCES, and county Vocational Education and Extension Board (VEEB) develop, and annually update, confidential building-level ERPs that detail how school personnel and students should respond to different types of emergency situations that may occur in their school.
In recent years, concerns have been raised nationwide about the unintended trauma or harm to students, staff, and/or families that may result from drills that are not communicated as being practice rather than an actual emergency. These concerns are heightened when a drill is conducted that includes elements to simulate a possible emergency.
Effective July 31, 2024, a new rule amends the district-wide safety plan provisions of section 155.17 in New York State. The rule defines the terms “trauma,” “trauma-informed,” and “trauma-informed drills” along with the requirement that drills be performed in a trauma-informed, developmentally, and age-appropriate manner.
Trauma-informed drills mean avoiding tactics in training or drills that may introduce or activate trauma, such as the use of props, actors, simulations, or other tactics intended to mimic a school shooting, incident of violence, or other emergency, or inclusion of developmentally or age-inappropriate content. Drills may inadvertently prompt a negative emotional or psychological response in staff or students because of previous exposure(s) to trauma.¹
Best Practices for Hosting Trauma-Informed Drills2
- Create a school safety team including at least one mental health professional.
- Assess the school community to help identify threats more likely to occur in your area.
- Make drills specific to your school while still varying the types of drills.
- Prepare staff in recognizing and managing potential stressors and reactions.
- Communicate plans with the school community.
- Reassess drills for improvement.
Note: All armed-assailant drills should require parental consent.
Preparation is key. These tips can help create a safe and supportive environment during drills.
Additional Resources
Best Practice Considerations for Armed-Assailant Drills in Schools
National Association of School Psychologists provides guidance on the important factors schools should consider when considering armed-assailant drills.
Building Trauma-Sensitive Schools: Handout Packet
National Center on Safe Supportive Learning Environments’ packet includes downloadable resources for schools and their staff.
Trauma-Informed Practice Courses
Vector Solutions offers three courses in its Inclusive Instruction and Interventions library at a discounted rate to our policyholders.
Trauma-Sensitive Schools Training Packages
National Center on Safe Supportive Learning Environments offers four comprehensive training packages to help create trauma-sensitive schools.
Understanding Trauma and Its Impact: Activity Packet
National Center on Safe Supportive Learning Environments’ activity packet includes activities and discussion questions for use during in-person training sessions.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Educational Institutions Segment Specialist Mike Centrone at michael.centrone@uticanational.com.
¹ “Proposed Amendment of Section 155.17 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education Relating to School Safety Plan Requirements.” The State Department of Education. 29 May 2024. https://www.regents.nysed.gov/sites/regents/files/424p12d1.pdf?_hsenc=p2ANqtz--Tue7qlYsO_rr9Y4NC9TXxP9IYajkhnkiCC9KU8dIb-PfQ6Y0S2ceDIVLZrlF9DUqZ-omDK5IMzlT3iqciu5IGeBovH1Nj1PMEEk5odzmZRIK-dHQ&_hsmi=302774690.
2 “Best Practice Considerations for Armed Assailant Drills in Schools.” National Association of School Psychologists. 10 June 2024. https://www.nasponline.org/resources-and-publications/resources-and-podcasts/school-safety-and-crisis/systems-level-prevention/best-practice-considerations-for-armed-assailant-drills-in-schools.
This information and any attachments or links are provided solely as an insurance risk management tool. They are derived from information believed to be accurate. Utica Mutual Insurance Company and the other member insurance companies of the Utica National Insurance Group (“Utica National”) are not providing legal advice or any other professional services. Utica National shall have no liability to any person or entity with respect to any loss or damages alleged to have been caused, directly or indirectly, by the use of the information provided. You are encouraged to consult an attorney or other professional for advice on these issues.