By Fritz Edelstein
March 17, 2003

U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige announced March 7 that $30 million is available in FY 2003 to assist school districts improve and strengthen emergency response and crisis management plans. Funds can be used to train school personnel, parents and students in crisis response; coordinate with local emergency first responders including fire and police; purchase equipment; and coordinate with groups and organizations. An additional $30 million has been requested for FY 2004. Only local education agencies are eligible to apply for these discretionary grant funds but a mayor can partner with the school system in this endeavor. Additional details on the grant competition will be available this spring.

Secretary Paige and U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge have also unveiled a new section on the U.S. Department of Education's website www.ed.gov/emergencyplan. This section is designed to be a One-Stop shop to assist school officials plan for any emergency including natural disasters, violent incidents and terrorist acts.

"As a former superintendent, I know the importance of emergency planning, " Secretary Paige said. "In the midst of a crisis is not time to start figuring out who ought to do what. At that moment, everyone involved — from top to bottom — should know the drill and know each otherÉ This new Web resource will help our schools strengthen and improve their emergency plans."

The Department of Education has also been working with experts from around the country to develop a model emergency response and crisis management plan. This model plan is scheduled to be released later in March, and will contain the sections addressing emergency plans, prevention and mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery.

This new web resource was unveiled on the heels of Homeland Security Secretary Ridge's introduction of the multi-year, multi-media Ready Campaign that includes its new website www.ready.gov.