A wildfire starts nearby, now what?

The Peace River School Division follows the direction of our municipal leaders whenever a fire, or other natural emergency, occurs in one of our school communities.

In the event that any number of student homes are affected by a road closure or evacuation order, our Transportation Department will call the affected families to notify them of any changes to busing. Families who do not receive a phone call will have their students dropped off as per their regular transportation arrangements.

All bus cancellations and delays can be viewed by visiting https://prsd.mybusplanner.ca.

If a school evacuation becomes necessary

Parents/Guardians:

• Please DO NOT call the school. Our telephone system must remain available for emergency communication. We will contact you to provide instructions on where and when to pick up your child.
• Please DO NOT come to the school unless you are instructed to.

• If a school evacuation becomes necessary, students will be transported home via early dismissal or to parent-child reunion location. All parents and guardians will be notified if this happens.

• We will post all school and transportation updates on our websites, in the PRSD App, and communicate directly with parents and guardains via emails, text messages, and/or phone calls. 

• Parents/Guardians will be notified regarding the location for parent-child reunions
• Parents/Guardians will need to sign the teacher’s attendance form to ensure all students are accounted for and released to an authorized legal guardian or emergency contact.
• Valid ID will be required to pick up a student.
• Once you are reunited with your child, for your safety you are encouraged to leave the area immediately.

Included here are the four terms we may use in the event of an emergency at a Peace River School Division school. Please read through this section to familiarize yourself with the terms and their related procedures.

Lockdown

A Lockdown is called for when there is a threat of violence or other crisis that occurs inside the building and moving around or evacuation would increase the risk. 

• Students & staff are to move to the closest classroom immediately, lock the door, cover and close any blinds, turn off the lights and any cell phones and find a safe corner to quietly stay in. 
• No one is permitted in or out of classrooms or the building, under any circumstance, until the emergency has been resolved. 

Hold and Secure

A Hold and Secure is used when it is necessary to secure the building due to an emergency threat occurring outside the school. 

• All exterior doors are locked and nobody leaves or enters the building. 
• All students and staff will return to their classroom with instruction continuing. Dependent upon the outside threat, additional instructions will be given. 

Shelter in Place

Shelter in Place is used when personal safety is considered to be in danger if anyone leaves the building. This is mainly used for environmental, weather-related events, or wildlife risks.

• Everyone must remain in the building and may or may not be able to move freely within the building (instruction may continue); individuals who have been locked out are allowed re-entry.

Evacuation

An evacuation becomes necessary when it is safer for staff and students to be outside the school building than inside of it. Staff and students will evacuate to designated muster points on the property, or moved to an alternate location. If an evacuation is ordered, no student or staff member will be permitted to return to the school building until first responders have deemed the building safe.

The Peace River School Division follows the advice of the Alberta Government regarding air quality and outdoor activity.