Brownwood ISD recently updated the district’s emergency response procedures and over the last year has worked with the Brownwood Police Department to examine, revise, and test emergency protocols and procedures in place on each campus to make sure they meet the latest standards.
“Revised and updated lockdown and evacuation-reunification plans have been put into place,” said Brownwood Police Officer and School Resource Officer, Fred Bastardo. “Updated and additional emergency plans related to natural and man-made disasters have also been put into place.”
Officer Bastardo has worked with each campus at Brownwood ISD and has coordinated efforts to make sure campus personnel, the Brownwood Police Department, first responders, and parents are on the same page when it comes to how an emergency will be handled. “The district now has designated evacuation sites as well as reunification sites that will be broadcast over several different media outlets to provide parents information on how to reunite with their children in the event of an emergency,” explained Bastardo. “Currently there are plans for four different drills this school year with different scenarios.”
The newly published information also includes detailed lockdown and classroom procedures as well as clarification regarding how and when parents will be notified in an emergency. Brownwood ISD has in place an e-alert system that can send important emergency information via email or text message to those that are signed up. Parents can sign up for those alerts by creating an account on the district website (http://www.brownwoodisd.org/register).Beginning this year, Brownwood ISD will be sending out test e-alerts on the first Monday every other month (starting September 2nd) to ensure the system is working correctly.
The revised emergency response procedures are also available on the Brownwood ISD website at www.brownwoodisd.org/emergency, or under the “Parent Info” tab on the homepage.
“BISD currently follows the National Incident Management System (NIMS) guidelines and the Texas Unified School Safety Standards developed by the Texas School Safety Center and continues making adjustments to keep with the most recent school and safety procedures,” said Bastardo. “The last safety audit showed the district was within acceptable standards.”
“I feel really good about the plans we’ve put in place,” said Dr. Reece Blincoe, Brownwood ISD Superintendent. “Officer Bastardo has done a tremendous job working with Brownwood ISD to ensure our safety policies are up-to-date. We worked closely with the police department to ensure we have the proper emergency procedures, and I am very appreciative of all they have done for us.”
