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Friend, 

Today, we find ourselves thinking about fundamentals that have always been a cornerstone of strong emergency response: leadership and communication. It's why we talk so much about the Incident Command System (ICS), and why we believe in its flexibility to adapt to any situation, whether it's a well-planned scenario or one that catches us by surprise.

One situation that's been on the minds of many school communities lately is the possibility Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) coming on campus. While the likelihood of such an event can vary based on a school’s location, community demographics, and many other factors, it’s clear that having protocol and defined roles can help schools feel more confident, prepared, and safe in the event of a complex, often emotionally charged situation.

During a recent school assessment, one of our safety consultants spoke with a teacher about the school’s emergency preparedness. The teacher confidently shared that they had practiced campus movement restrictions — however, the teacher then shared that if ICE were to come on campus, they were unsure of the plan and concerned that one might not exist.

When we checked with the administration, it turned out that a clear plan was in place — outlining communication flow, assigned roles, and the specific emergency response to be activated campus-wide. The challenge wasn’t a lack of planning but rather a gap in staff awareness, leaving them feeling unprepared.

This is what the resources in this month’s newsletter and webinar hope to do — bridge the gap between protocol and practice to ensure school communities don’t just have strong safety plans but also feel confident in them. While this topic may seem new, scary, or even political, the foundational steps are the same. That’s why we continually emphasize ICS — when your team knows their roles, how to communicate, and what steps to take, you're already well on your way to a coordinated, thoughtful response.

To help guide these conversations, we’re diving deeper into ICS in our webinar this month. We'll explore the ins and outs of ICS, the importance of specific strike teams, and how to build systems that support your community, no matter what. In addition, this blog offers a practical approach to using tabletop exercises to build consensus on how to respond if ICE comes on campus. These drills might feel intimidating at first, but by practicing in a safe, controlled setting, your team can be ready to respond with clarity and confidence.

Ultimately, the key takeaway is this: no matter the situation, when you fall back on what you already do best — leadership and communication — you lay the groundwork for a strong, thoughtful, and effective response. We're here to walk alongside you, offering guidance, resources, and support as you prepare your community to face whatever comes your way.

Thank you for trusting us to be part of your journey. Together, we’ll continue building stronger, safer, and more resilient school communities.

In strength,

Chris Joffe

Founder and CEO 

Twitter: @JoffeChris

Safety Spotlight: Risk Management

During a recent conversation with a regional operations leader, we were asked, "What should we do if ICE comes on campus?"

To provide guidance, we turned to Joffe Safety Consultant Emma Johnson.

"This issue has quickly become one of the most frequent concerns with our schools in 2025. With new policies and legislative updates from the current administration, schools are recognizing the need to review and refine their response plans for potential ICE presence on campus. I strongly encourage schools to take a proactive approach — working with legal and administrative teams to clarify policies, define roles, and establish a clear communication plan.

Your school isn’t starting from scratch. Most schools already have structured protocols for visitor management, including procedures for handling visits from law enforcement, child protective services, and other agencies. Who is responsible for greeting and speaking with officials? Who communicates with parents? Who documents the situation? By reviewing and adapting your existing policies, you can ensure your school is prepared for any scenario. While the likelihood of an ICE visit varies by community, having a clear, well-communicated plan will help staff, students, and families feel informed and supported."

For more detailed guidance and resources, we’re highlighting our U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) toolkit as our Simple School Solution. This free toolkit provides resources, guides, and links to support your conversations regarding policy development that best match the needs for your school.

March 10th Webinar - Most schools have an ICS chart, but when was the last time you ran a targeted, strategic strike team practice? Join us on Monday, March 10th, at 9 AM PST for an in-depth session on the Incident Command System, focusing on role-specific training and operational clarity. We’ll break down how strike teams function and their critical role in campus emergency response — big or small. For the next three months, we’ll be deep diving into the different strike teams and how they all work together as part of the ICS.

Add our Webinar Series Spring 2025 schedule to your calendar

Remaining Spring 2025 Webinars:

• March 10
• April 14
• May 12
• June 9

Our team is gearing up for a month full of conferences, training, and professional development!

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

Resources

Prepared, Not Panicked: An Approach to ICE-Related School Readiness: Our latest blog highlights how tabletop exercises equip school leaders to plan strategically, define roles, and communicate effectively — ensuring preparedness for an ICE-related situation without creating unnecessary fear.

Incident Command System (ICS) Bundle: Our three-part training equips school staff with a clear understanding of ICS roles and responsibilities, guides them through conducting tabletop exercises to enhance emergency response preparedness, and provides an in-depth look at the reunification process—the critical final step in any school emergency.

Hosted by Joffe team members, participants will discover the essential differences between routine dismissal procedures and the complex protocols needed for emergency crisis reunification. Through hands-on practice and insights, they will gain an understanding of reunification as a critical element in restoring safety and stability following an emergency. Register now!

Not in Nashville, Tennessee? We’re bringing interactive reunification trainings to more cities soon! Contact us for details.

Follow us on social media!

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

X: @JoffeChris & @Joffeemergency

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