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Friend, 

Emergencies don’t follow a script. That’s why adaptability is everything in school safety—having a plan is essential, but the ability to assess, adjust, and act in real time is what truly makes the difference.

Last month, in our School Safety webinar, Cat Cecere, Managing Director of the Learning & Management Practice at Joffe, and Kate Merritt, Director of Advancement at The John Thomas Dye School, broke down the fundamentals of the Incident Command System (ICS). Schools across the country tuned in, asked insightful questions, and explored what truly makes ICS effective. The biggest takeaway? A plan alone isn’t enough. Your team must be able to assess the situation, adapt as conditions change, and take action without hesitation.

One school leader saw this firsthand when, right in the middle of last month’s webinar, the power went out. His team didn’t wait for instructions. They immediately assembled, assessed the situation, and developed a communication plan. They initially announced an early dismissal but pivoted minutes later when the power unexpectedly returned. That’s ICS in action. No binder of protocols could have predicted that exact set of circumstances, but their training prepared them to think critically and adjust on the fly. (By the way, we love hearing stories like this! If you have a win, challenge, or learning moment, send it our way—we’d love to learn and grow together.)

We saw that same adaptability in action during our recent reunification training in Nashville. Attendees didn’t just review best practices—they practiced adjusting to real-world challenges. They ran through reunification scenarios where plans had to shift (like a parent without an ID card), roles had to be reassigned (like when an additional counselor was needed), and unforeseen obstacles (like not enough chairs in the parent waiting area) had to be overcome. More importantly, they left equipped to train their staff—because adaptability isn’t just needed at the leadership team level, it has to be embedded at every level of a school community.

So here’s the challenge: When was the last time your team put emergency protocols to the test? Have you practiced in different conditions—at different times of day, with unexpected variables? Have you tested your ability to pivot when things don’t go as planned? This month’s webinar will help you take the next step in making ICS a dynamic, adaptable part of your school’s culture. But beyond planning and preparation, real-world experience is where adaptability is truly tested. I encourage you to read Cynthia Romero’s story, a firsthand account from one of Joffe’s school-based Directors of Campus Safety and Security, on what it means to put ICS into action when every second counts.

Let’s keep building stronger, more resilient school communities—together.

In strength,

Chris Joffe

Founder and CEO 

Twitter: @JoffeChris

Safety Spotlight: Reunification

At our recent in-person reunification training in Nashville, someone asked, “How do we set ourselves up to be fully prepared to run the reunification process if needed?”

We turned to Cat Cecere, Managing Director of the Learning & Management Practice, for insight.

"Great question! The reality is, no one can be fully prepared—the unexpected will always arise. The goal isn’t perfection but ensuring the right fundamentals are in place. Have we accounted for all students and staff? Do we have the supplies needed for each station? What communication methods will we use? When these key elements are solid, your ICS team will be ready to run the important step of reunifying students and their families. 

This month’s Simple School Solution is our Reunification Initiation Checklist—a quick guide to ensure the big pieces are in place. With this in hand, your team can approach reunification with confidence."

April 14th Webinar - This month’s webinar will take a deeper dive into the vital role of strike teams in emergency response. We’ll explore how Attendance & Reunification, Facilities & Logistics, as well as Security & Traffic strike teams work together to streamline operations and ensure effective management during a crisis. Join us as we continue Part 2 of 3 of this series and gain practical insights on how these teams help your school respond with coordination and efficiency.

Add our Webinar Series Spring 2025 schedule to your calendar

Remaining Spring 2025 Webinars:

• April 14
• May 12
• June 9

Planning to attend or have questions about any of the events? Let us know!

Resources

The Reality of Incident Command: When Perfection is the Enemy of Success Blog Post: In this blog, Cynthia Romero, one of Joffe's school based Directors of Campus Safety and Security, shares her firsthand experience with ICS during the Los Angeles wildfires. Reflecting on the lessons learned and challenges faced, Cynthia provides insights on how ICS helped manage the evolving crisis, maintain coordination, and adapt to a rapidly changing situation. This post offers a personal, reflective look at leading through emergencies.

Measles Toolkit: With measles outbreaks on the rise nationwide, we’ve compiled a toolkit to help your school stay informed and prepared. It includes the latest outbreak information, communication templates, and links to key public health resources—to ensure you’re ready if an outbreak occurs.

Announcing Our New Head of Finance,

Julia Yzaguirre

Exciting News! We’re thrilled to welcome Julia Yzaguirre as Joffe Emergency Services' new Head of Finance, starting July 1, 2025! With nearly 30 years of experience in independent school financial operations, Julia brings invaluable expertise to our team.

Learn more about her background and the impact she’ll have at Joffe here!

Follow us on social media!

We regularly post updates, blog posts, and resources designed to support school health, safety & security.

X: @JoffeChris & @Joffeemergency

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