We are witnessing an increase in violence and disruptive influences in our schools at an alarming level. New Hanover County Schools is no exception to these kinds of influences. In order to provide as much protection for our students and staff as possible and to create a safe school environment, it is essential that our schools have crisis response procedures in place. Our schools must be prepared to deal with any manner of natural or man-made emergency, whether it affects a single child, one school, or the entire system.

Our Unified Crisis Guide was designed with the collaboration and assistance of countless community agencies such as Law Enforcement, Health Services, Social Services, and the YWCA to serve as a resource book. It is indeed a very comprehensive resource, that the schools and central administration use to gain emergency preparation knowledge necessary, to be proactive in our effort to provide and maintain safe and healthy school, and work environment. 

Nevertheless, we discovered that we needed something limited in size and practical that we could put into the hand of every staff member as a specific guide to use when dealing with crisis events. Therefore, the Crisis Management Quick Reference Guide was developed to meet the day-to-day needs in a practical manner. It also assists the staff in responding quickly and effectively to any crisis situation.

The Unified Crisis Guide and the Quick Reference Guide, are updated annually to better reflect the actions required to minimize the loss of life and injury to persons and to property. We truly hope this web page and material of information and procedures will prove to be beneficial to all New Hanover County Schools students, staff and parents in the event a crisis should happen.