Critical Incident Management

1. Introduction

Davis College strives to be a caring, supportive community, where is student can develop his/her full potential (Ref.: Mission statement). As part of Pastoral Care, the school offers support and counselling to any student in crisis.

 

If the crisis is one that affects the whole school community, then the Critical Incident Plan is put into action. This ensures that best practice is followed in offering emotional, spiritual and psychological support to all those effected by the tragedy at a critical time in the life of the school.

 

Definition of a Critical Incident (hereafter CI)

A critical incident (CI) may be defined as:

‘any incident or sequence of events which overwhelms the normal coping mechanisms of the school and disrupts the running of the school’.

 

Critical incidents may include:

  • Death of a member of the school community through sudden death, accident, terminal illness or suicide.
  • An accident involving pupils or staff on or off the school premises.
  • A physical attack on staff member(s) or student(s) or intrusion into the school.
  • Serious damage to the school building through fire, flood, vandalism etc.
  • The disappearance of a member of the school community.
  • An accident/tragedy in the wider community.
  • Assault on a staff member/Assault on a student
  • Building collapse                                 

This list is not exhaustive.

 

2. Critical Incident Management Team (CIMT)

 

The CIMT team comprises the Principal, Deputy Principal, Chaplain, Guidance Counsellor and other teachers concerned (i.e. Class Teacher or Year Head of the effected group). The school’s CI Team are listed below and this CI team and policy are reviewed and updated on an annual basis.

 

Critical Incident Management Team are: Denis Healy, Jack Barry, Tanya Kelly, Brendan Mallon, and Michael McGuane.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Step-by-Step Approach

 

Short term actions and roles assigned

 

TASK

NAME (KEY & SUPPORT)

Gather accurate information:                   

Denis Healy

Contact appropriate agencies:                           

Denis Healy

Convene a meeting with key staff:                    

Denis Healy & CI member

Arrange supervision of students:

Jack Barry

Hold staff meeting:

Denis Healy

Organise timetable for  the day:

Jack Barry

Inform parents:

CI Team

Inform students:

CI Team & Class Teachers

Make contact with the bereaved family:

Denis Healy

Dealing with the media:

Denis Healy

 

·         In the absence of  Denis Healy, Jack Barry assumes his role.

·         In the absence of Jack Barry, an assiatant Principal assumes his role.

·         n the absence of  the Fr. Brendan Mallon, Tanya Kelly assume his role.

·         In the absence of a year head, the most relevant Class Tutor will assume his/her role: ie. The class from which the student connection exists.

Medium Term Actions And Roles Assigned

 

TASK

NAME

(KEY & SUPPORT)

Review the events of first 24 hours

 

CI Team                                                                                          Team

Arrange support for individual/groups of students, parents  etc.

 

Year Heads, Class Teachers

Plan the re-intergration of students and staff  Year head/tutor

 

Year Heads, Class Teachers

Liaise with family re funeral arrangements/memorial service

                                                                                               

Chaplain

Attendance/participation at funeral service etc.

                                                                                                Team

Chaplain

School  Closure

                                                                                                Team

Denis Healy

 

                                                                                         

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Critical Incident Managment Team

 

Tasks

Name

Overall Management of response

Denis Healy

Communication

Denis Healy

Administration

Jack Barry

Supervision

Jack Barry

Outside Agency

Names / Address

Contact Numbers

Garda

Mallow

022-21105

Hospital

Mallow

022-21251

Fire Brigade

Mallow

022-21142

Local GPs

Cork Road Clinic

 

Medical centre

Red House

ST Josephs Rd

West End

The Surgery Twopot Hse.

022-21579

 

022-21551

022-51192

022-20134

022-21508

022-43406

Health Board

Goulds Hill

022-30200

Chair Person BOM

Mr. Noel O’Connor

022-22726

State Exams Commisson

Athlone

090-6442700

NEPS psychologist

Nep HQ

01-8892700

DES Communications

Head Office, Dublin

01-8896400

Clergy

Mallow General Hospital (Priest on duty)

022-21251

Local Counselling

Dr. Helen Keely

022-44970

National research Foundation of Suicidology, Cork

Dr. Ella Arensman

021-4277499

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Health and Safety

 

 

 

The safety committee is made up representatives of management, staff and students.

 

The function and objective of the committee are:

 

ü  To keep under review, the measures and procedures to ensure the health and safety of all persons on the premises.

 

ü  To foster co-operation between management and staff to keep health and safety a priority.

 

ü  To ensure the ongoing compliance with health and safety legislation.

 

ü  To identify and correct unsafe conditions / practices

 

ü  To promote and monitor health and safety training.

 

ü  To develop roles and procedures on safe systems of work

 

 

 

Safety Committee

 

Principal                                  Denis Healy

Deputy Principal                     Jack Barry

Safety co-ordinator                Richard Goggin

Safety Representative            Susanne Kiely         

H.Econ. / First Aid                   Margaret Kennedy

Sport / First Aid                        Maria White

Const. / First Aid                      Tom Sheehan

Caretaker                                Christy Murphy

Student Representative

 

 

The safety committee meet once per school term.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Evacuation and Emergency Procedures

 

 

Checklist for Teachers

 

  1. Ensure you are familiar with fire evacuation procedure.
  2. Inform all your class groups of procedure and route to assembly point.
  3. Ensure that emergency exits are not obstructed.
  4. Know the location of the fire alarm and nearest fire extinguisher.
  5. Be aware of extinguisher type and method of use.
  6. Know the students that are present in your class.

(Roll call at the beginning of each class).

  1. Know the whereabouts of any students who have left your class, gone home, games etc.
  2. Inform your class of evacuation procedures and assembly if fire alarm is activated at class change or breaks.

 

 

Fire Evacuation Procedure

 

All staff, students and visitors are requested to be aware of the evacuation procedures which are part of Davis College safety policy.

 

On hearing fire alarm

 

When in Class:

 

ü  Be familiar with fire notice displayed in each classroom.

ü  Follow instructions from teacher or person in charge.

ü  Proceed to assembly Area via emergency exit or other appropriate exit.

ü  Assemble in subject Groups in designated location.

ü  Await Roll call.

 

When not in Class:

 

ü  Leave the building via nearest appropriate exit.

ü  Proceed quickly and quietly to assembly Area.

ü  Assemble in class groups in designated location

ü  Await Roll call.

 

Staff and Visitors:

 

ü  Leave the building via nearest appropriate exit.

ü  Designated staff to check the building is vacant.

ü  Proceed to assembly Area and designated location

ü  Await instructions

 

Place of Assembly

 

Basketball Court at rear of school. Follow route shown on school plan (next page).

 

 

 

School Plan – Emergency Routes

 

5579EF94

 

Room Layout

 

F411BEC2