Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Emergency Preparedness topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commissioner May highlights two-day school reunification training hosted at Penn State Beaver
Summary
Commissioner May said Beaver County launched two-day reunification training for emergency response and behavioral health personnel after CCBC's last-minute closure; Penn State Beaver hosted about 60 attendees and the training focuses on reuniting students and parents after emergent events.
Commissioner May told the Beaver County Board of Commissioners on March 11 that county emergency-response and behavioral-health personnel began a two-day reunification training this week, with Penn State Beaver stepping in on short notice to host after CCBC closed its campus.
"This reunification training is of course intended to prepare emergency response personnel to handle, organize and reunite individuals who have experienced an emergent event regardless of cause," Commissioner May said, describing simulations and procedures for school evacuations and parent reunification.
About 60 people attended, including school resource officers, several superintendents and other personnel, according to May. The training—organized by ESU emergency response and behavioral health staff—covers lockdown, evacuation and sheltering procedures and helps schools plan how to reunite parents and children after traumatic incidents.
May cited the local response to a recent school hoax in Hopewell as a rationale for the training and thanked Penn State Beaver Chancellor Cara McDougall and event organizers for arranging the venue on short notice.
May also referenced a nonprofit group that participates in reunification work, identified in the transcript as the "I Love You guys Foundation," and named local organizers including Don Kane and Danielle Ramba as contributors to the training effort.
Why it matters: school reunification procedures affect how quickly students and families can be reunited after emergencies and reduce confusion at sheltering and pickup points. County officials said the training is intended to strengthen coordinated responses among schools, law enforcement and behavioral-health staff.
What’s next: Commissioner May described the training as ongoing (two days) and indicated county personnel will continue coordination with schools and partners on reunification plans.
