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2023 Emergency Management Tests are due no later than Dec. 31
The deadline is quickly approaching for the annual test. Each school building is required to conduct at least one Emergency Management Test (EMT) annually to assess and evaluate their emergency preparedness (Ohio Revised Code 5502.262 (E)(1)[2] and Ohio Administrative Code 4501: 5-1-01).
Please remember that schools must complete a functional, full-scale, and tabletop exercise during the three-year period between resubmission of an annual emergency management plan. Each type of test can only be used once.
Sample tabletop exercise tool kits are available on the Ohio School Safety Center Website.
After completion, don't forget to document the test and after-action report in OH|ID. Step-by-step instructions for submitting your after-action report can be found here.
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2024 Ohio School Safety Summit
Save the Date!
The Ohio School Safety Center will be hosting the Ohio School Safety Summit July 31-Aug. 1, 2024, at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio. More information on keynote speakers and presenters will be announced in the spring.
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Safer Ohio School Tip Line
During 2023, the Safer Ohio School Tip Line underwent a major upgrade to improve its functionality! As a reminder, some of these upgrades include:
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A dashboard for schools to manage and audit tips. Multiple people in a school can view tips and receive immediate notification.
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Crisis response professionals take tips and assist tipsters that may be facing a crisis.
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Tips can be taken in 10 of the most common languages spoken in Ohio.
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If a tip warrants law enforcement intervention, local law enforcement is notified immediately.
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Tips can be received by call, text, and form on the web or in the app. The app is available to download in the App Store and in the Google Play Store.
The Safer Ohio School Tip Line is still free for schools to use and is available 24/7 for anyone to submit a tip. Even if your school district uses another tip line provider, please reach out to your regional liaison to register with the Safer Ohio School Tip Line. This ensures your school is notified immediately if someone uses the state tip line number to call in a tip related to your school.
The holiday break is a good time to check the tip line dashboard if you have access, and make sure your contact information is up to date. Also, check to see if you have any open tips that can be updated or closed. We added some new resources from the Ohio School Safety Center and the Ohio Department of Education to assist schools in handling tips. Be sure to check the “Resources” tab in the dashboard!
When classes return after the break and the new year begins, be sure to promote the tip line to your students! Remind students what the tip line number is and what they can use it for. If you would like to order free promotional posters or cards for your school, please fill out our order form.
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THE 2024 OHIO SEVERE
WEATHER AWARENESS POSTER
CONTEST
Eligibility: The contest is open to all Ohio students grades K-6 who attend public, private, religious,
charter school or are attending a home school program at the time of contest submission.
DATES OF SIGNIFICANCE:
Start/End Dates: Nov. 13, 2023 - Jan. 19, 2024.
To find out more information on rules and how to apply please click here.
To download the poster contest entry form please click here.
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New Safety Plans Portal
The OSSC released a new version of the safety plans portal in July 2023. Educators who hold a superintendent, principal, or ‘coordinator-safety plan’ role in the Ohio Education Directory System (OEDS) will have access to the safety plans portal. Use these step-by-step instructions to search for and access the new tile in OH|ID.
You've asked and we have answered!
Programs that share a physical building now appear as one entry. The OSSC encourages these administrators to work together to complete one set of safety plan documents, one annual plan certification, and one emergency management test.
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Legislation Update: Annual Plan Certification Change
Starting in 2024 the Annual Plan Certification due date for all schools is changing to Sept. 1. This change was done because of feedback provided by schools to extend the Annual Plan Certification due date to after the school year starts. This provides school administrators time to finalize contracts and make updates to the school's emergency management plan.
Every year between Jan. 1 and Sept. 1, school administrators are required to review their Emergency Management Plan documents for accuracy. The Annual Plan Certification is intended as a mid-year review.
If a document is no longer accurate, please upload a revised version to the School Safety Plans Portal and then enter the review date into the portal. If no changes are needed, just enter your review date and save.
 Student Safety Advisory Council Updates!
The Ohio Student Safety Advisory Council is now open to juniors and seniors. Juniors have the chance to serve two consecutive terms. Those who are interested are encouraged to apply! Our application period opens in the spring of each year.
Annual Stand Out Awards created by the 2022-2023 Ohio Student Safety Advisory Council
Stand Out Awards recognizes two school staff members and two students for their positive contributions to school safety, both physical and emotional sides. Nominations accepted beginning in May of each year. Congratulations to this year's recipients!
- Jodi Kauffman, SRO at Triway Local School District
- Randall Krichbaum, Art Teacher & Safety Committee Chairperson at South Central Local Schools
- Jaileyana Fraley and Lagena Johnson, students at Cincinnati Public Schools
- Casey Orloski, student at West Geauga High School
Buddy Benches
Everyone needs a buddy! The OSSC worked with Plastics R Unique and was able to provide funding for 16 Buddy Benches!
Buddy Benches are put into place to encourage inclusiveness and kindness at school. These benches serve as a place for students to make new friends and encourages more inclusive playgrounds. Many Council members are still collecting caps to meet the requirement. Our Council member from Athens High School, Helen Liu, already received her bench!
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First Aid/CPR How to Guide for Schools and Students
Nadia Cantelli from Edison High School focused her Capstone project on the importance of First Aid and CPR at school.
This will be taken further and made into a guide for schools and students to utilize in collaboration with the OSSC.
The guide will be available on the OSSC website for download in the Spring of 2024!
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School Bell Chats Podcast
Council member Ashley He from Upper Arlington High School created a Podcast that discusses different aspects of student life and school balance, the pressure of junior year, and more.
Available on Spotify or wherever you listen to your podcasts!
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Suicide Prevention Week
Students hung posters and magnets around their schools to advocate for suicide prevention, created poster walls to promote positive messages and kind works, and coordinated morning announcements to encourage kindness and inclusion. Council member Zaid Ashruf even presented to his school on suicide prevention.
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School Bus Safety Week (Oct 16-20)
Council members made certificates of appreciation for their bus drivers in recognition of School Bus Safety Week. In addition, there were bus safety morning announcements, some delivered gift baskets or treats, and others simply thanked their drivers and spread awareness about the importance of bus safety.
Hunter Dean, Greene County Career Center
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Unity Day
Council members encouraged their schools to wear orange, created positive chain links with positive messages on them, and recorded PSA's that were sent to their peers.
Caylee Hockenberry, Dover High School
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October is Ohio School Safety Month!
Theme: Relationships for Safety
When technology and security solutions fail, trusted relationships save the day. Creating an environment in your school where students feel comfortable sharing concerns is essential to maintaining a safe environment.
From both a physical and emotional standpoint, students need to feel they can trust school staff, staff need to feel they can trust their administration, and the administrators need to feel they can trust their community support systems.
During October, we focused on building stronger relationships, a positive school climate, information sharing, and how relationships can make a huge difference when it comes to safety.
Devin Duncan, Fairfield High School
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“Sound Off” Saves Lives
The Ohio State Fire Marshal is presenting the “Sound Off” program to second and third grade students throughout the state. Firefighters present three 45-minute classroom lessons on fire safety that meet Ohio curriculum requirements. At the conclusion of the classes, first responders will visit the homes of the students that need smoke alarms (or shake alarms for the hearing impaired) and install them free of charge.
This program has already saved lives. In Ross County, Paint Valley first grader Ronan Blaisdell took part in “Sound Off” and encouraged his family to get smoke alarms installed. A fire broke out and the family wasn’t aware until the newly installed alarms went off. They notified the fire department and exited the house safely. The family credits their son and “Sound Off’ for saving their lives and their home. Ronan was presented with a certificate recognizing his fire safety efforts using the principles of the ‘Sound Off’ program.
See how you can bring the “Sound Off” program to your school by clicking here.
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Solar Eclipse
Are you prepared for darkness? On Monday, April 8, 2024, people within a 124-mile-wide band in the state of Ohio will experience a total solar eclipse, affecting about 60% of Ohio counties. During this time, communities will be affected by increased visitors to the area. Districts and schools may check with local emergency management personnel for recommendations for safety precautions and information on anticipated traffic pattern disruptions.
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 To find your OSSC zone staff use the interactive map by clicking here. This is for your Zone Manager, School Safety Planner, School Safety Liaison, and Mobile Training Officer.
Scenario-based Tabletop Templates
To better assist schools, the OSSC has developed multiple scenario-based templates for K-12 schools and Higher Education to use. Each tabletop exercise is designed to be completed in two hours. The report template included can be used for any tabletop scenario.
- Sextortion at High School
- Special Jr High Needs Bully & Suicidal Ideations
- 5th Grader Behavioral Threat Assessment
- Higher Education Behavioral Threat Assessment
- Two High School Students Behavioral Threat Assessment
- Dating Violence Suicidality Weapon
- Jr High Student with Disabilities
- Bully Victim at Ball Game
- Convict at High School
- Higher Education and Hallucinating
- Jealous Ex at JVS
- Recess Chaos at Elementary
- Riots at Local Correctional Facility
To download them click here.
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2022 Annual School Safety Report
It was another year of expansion and growth for the Ohio School Safety Center (OSSC) with the addition of the
Safety and Crisis Division, the first in-person School Safety Summit, millions in school safety grants awarded to Ohio schools, and the creation of the Ohio Student Safety Advisory Council, to name a few.
To review the 2022 Annual School Safety Report please click here.
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