Date of Award

Fall 8-2018

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Department

Education

First Advisor

Dr. Shelly Fransen

Second Advisor

Dr. Sherry DeVore

Third Advisor

Dr. Danny Humble

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to garner the perceptions of superintendents and school resource officers in regard to district preparedness for multi-hazard events. Nationwide, schools are facing dramatic changes in the area of safety and security due to natural disasters, and more commonly, manmade hazards (Schaffhauser, 2013). Routinely, school personnel do not have the mindset, nor are they equipped, to respond to a major crisis (Trump, 2012). Recent mass murders and natural disasters in the United States have prompted districts to reach beyond the walls of their schools and into local communities for support (Gereluk, Donlevy, & Thompson, 2015). To identify how districts have fostered partnerships within the community and have collaborated to form an all-hazards team, three research questions were answered. Findings revealed perceptions regarding school district preparedness were less than favorable, while those related to having multi-jurisdictional, all-hazards teams were promising. Furthermore, data collected exposed limited knowledge of the National Incident Management System (NIMS) as a common tool for managing all threats and hazards. By failing to adequately prepare for a major crisis event by utilizing free models and resources available, those responsible for emergency management within schools are jeopardizing the safety and security of all stakeholders.

Rights

Copyright 2018

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