By Jessica Coleman -- Daily Staff Writer

FRONT ROYAL — The updated crisis management plan for Warren County Public Schools is now more consistent, according to Director of Special Services Michael Hirsch.

In the past, Hirsch said, schools have had individual plans based on what works for each institution. Now, however, the plan has been streamlined and made to reflect a consistent plan for managing emergency situations, so that everyone will be on the same page.

"I think the major thing that's changed is the consistency," Hirsch said. "What we've done is collected all the plans for each school ... and made sure all the schools' and the sheriff's plans are consistent."

The most important factors to consider when annually updating the crisis management plan are the three "C's," Hirsch said — communication, collaboration and consistency.

"This day and age it's important for all of us to have a crisis plan," said Superintendent Pamela McInnis.

Communication and collaboration are accomplished by working closely with the Warren County Sheriff's Office, Hirsch said, which is instrumental in the planning.

There was an in-service meeting held July 15 for custodial, transportation, secretarial and administrative staff to be briefed on the policies. New teachers are also required to learn the information, McInnis said, while returning teachers receive a "refresher course" every year. It is important for all school personnel to know what to do should an emergency occur, Hirsch agreed. This fall there will be faculty meetings with each school to discuss the policy with all school staff.

"If something happens, people don't need to go find the plan to know what to do," McInnis said of the importance of faculty training and education.

The crisis management plan covers a number of possible emergency events, including lock-downs, bomb threats, se-vere weather and medical emergencies. The document also covers what to do during outbreaks of infectious disease, such as the staph infections that broke out at many schools across the nation last year. There is also at least one person at each school trained to administer CPR, first aid, and asthma and diabetes emergency treatment, Hirsch said.

The plan also covers what to do in the event of the death of a pupil. There are crisis teams at each of the schools, led by the principals, that are trained to handle a tragic situation. The Sheriff's Office consults with the school division staff to make a comprehensive plan that capitalizes on each department's expertise, Hirsch said.

The goal of the plan is to be proactive and leave no stone unturned in planning for possible emergencies, Hirsch said. In the end, he added, the most important thing is the safety of all the pupils attending school in the county.

"We're hoping none of these things will happen," Hirsch said. "The No. 1 concern for everyone is safety."

* Contact Jessica Coleman at jcoleman@nvdaily.com

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