District- and school-level preparedness for emergencies and disasters in California: The effects of demographic characteristics, resources, and prior experiences

Recent natural disasters, school violence, and terrorist threats underscore the need for schools to be prepared to manage emergency events. School emergency preparedness is an important public health issue considering the potential impact that school emergencies and disasters could have on the health and safety of students, their families, faculty and staff, and the surrounding community. This study aimed to assess the preparedness of California's public schools for emergencies and disasters, compliance with State regulations pertaining to emergency preparedness, and the effects of demographic characteristics, resources, and prior experiences with emergencies on current levels of preparedness at both the district and school levels.; A survey questionnaire was mailed to a designated person at 200 school district offices and to the principals of 470 public schools in those districts. Non-respondents were followed-up by telephone and a second mailing of the questionnaire. The survey data were collected in the fall of 2005. The response rates were 49% (98/200) for school districts and 33% (157/470) for schools. The district and school data were analyzed separately. Data were weighted to correct for potential non-response bias.; Nearly all districts and schools reported having a disaster plan and reported being well prepared overall but a number of deficiencies in their preparedness were identified, particularly regarding their use of the Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS). There was some indication that districts and schools in rural locations and those with students of lower socio-economic status are less prepared. The factors that had the greatest positive effects on preparedness were the level of perceived commitment among school authorities and parent involvement. Districts that have had more experience with emergencies and disasters in the past tended to be better prepared for future emergencies, although prior experience did not have an effect on current levels of preparedness among schools.; State and local officials should increase efforts to help schools comply with the requirements of the SEMS while districts and schools should focus on raising the level of commitment to improve school emergency preparedness among key stakeholders and especially getting the parents involved in preparedness activities.